further vestiges of Manchester City's Sven Goran Eriksson era seem likely to be swept away, with a loan deal under discussion that would take striker Felipe Caicedo to Sporting Lisbon and a possible move to Racing Santander for Javier Garrido.
Caicedo, whom Eriksson signed from the Swiss club Basle 18 months ago, led the line for City against Kaizer Chiefs at Kings Park Stadium here last night but Sporting are keen to wrap up a deal as soon as possible. Their Champions League squad must be registered by tomorrow, ahead of their qualifying round match against FC Twente.
The Ecuadorian proved fairly effective for Mark Hughes, scoring twice in City's last four games of the 2008-09 season but the manager needs to reduce his quota of 10 strikers and both Caicedo and 20-year-old Ched Evans appear to be on the way. Ipswich Town are interested in Evans.
Garrido has never looked comfortable defensively – his performance in a 6-0 defeat at Chelsea in October 2007 was disastrous – and the Spaniard's future has been in doubt since Hughes' arrival. A return to his own country had always looked the most obvious option for a player Eriksson signed for £1.5m from Real Sociedad.
City are determined to hold on to Michael Johnson, despite repeated suggestions that a move might be on the cards. As expected, Carlos Tevez had not recovered from a heel injury to make his debut last night, though Gareth Barry did appear for his and Shaun Wright-Phillips also started.
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