Manchester City and Barcelona holding talks

Asked about the rumours linking several Barcelona players with a move to Manchester City (read more here), Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has confirmed in an interview with Manchester local radio station Key 103 that there was a meeting between the clubs but that it's just part of the English Premier League building relationships with the established European clubs:

"There has been speculation about players all year. It is something that we accept and has become predictable. The meeting was not about individuals but how both clubs can help each other.

As a club, we are trying to get relationships with clubs who would not previously have passed the time of day with us. Now, because of (Manchester City owner) Sheikh Mansour (picture), they want to have a relationship and talk about plans that would benefit both clubs. We are aiming to have this kind of relationship with all top clubs in Europe."

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