Manchester City boss Kevin Keegan is reported to be close to bringing Marc Vivien Foe back to the club for a cut-price fee.
The Cameroon international midfielder had returned to Lyon after his season-long loan spell, with City’s bid to buy him in doubt because of his French club’s £7m valuation.
However, a report in the Mirror claims that the French champions have now told City that they are ready to do business for a bargain fee of just £2.5m, a staggering £4.5m less than their initial asking price for the midfielder.
Foe is eager to accept a two-year contract and return to Manchester after scoring nine goals from midfield in 35 Premiership appearances for Keegan’s side last term.
His permanent arrival will be a huge boost for City, who are preparing for next season’s Uefa Cup after a 24-year absence from European competition.
Keegan has wasted little time in the transfer market, securing the double signatures of Arsenal keeper David Seaman and German midfielder Michael Tarnat.
Meanwhile, City continue to be reported to be set to hijack Middlesbrough’s attempts to sign Foe’s fellow Cameroon international midfielder Geremi on a permanent basis from Real Madrid.
Reports claim that City could be set to offer more than Steve McClaren’s side for the player, or even take the midfielder on loan.