City rush to complete £6.5m Fowler deal

Robbie Fowler is being given the chance to join Manchester City this week after a £6.5m deal was agreed with Leeds United. The former Liverpool striker has to decide in the next few days.

The City manager, Kevin Keegan, wants a quick answer as he has several other options. The fee, though unexpectedly low, is still a great deal of money for City, especially as it has to be paid in full within 12 months. Keegan has won a major victory with his board to acquire it.

Leeds have also dropped Fowler's valuation dramatically from the £10m they paid to Liverpool for him just over a year ago following their long pursuit of the England striker. Fowler has failed to fire at Elland Road, where he has been dogged by more injuries in a career that has stood still in the main over the past four years.

So far Fowler has been reluctant to move, but City are putting on pressure and Keegan has made moves for Celta Vigo's Benni McCarthy and Feyenoord's Pierre van Hooijdonk in the last few days.

Keegan wants Fowler and will take him ahead of most, but he needs a commitment from him shortly. Fowler has to say "yes" to City and then leave his accountant to sort out a pay-off from Leeds and thrash out terms at Maine Road, which will also be a tough task.

Maine Road insiders believe Fowler has to sign by the end of the coming week or Keegan will spend the money elsewhere. Keegan is on such a tight budget that he needs to know Fowler's plans. He has earmarked some of the cash for Bordeaux's David Sommeil, who is rated at £5m. Sommeil says he has agreed a deal with Keegan's side but that deal is being delayed as City try to structure the instalments in such a way that they do not have to pay too much up front, but the French club are not happy with that arrangement.

Michael Reiziger is also expected to give City his decision over a proposed loan deal from Barcelona within the next 48 hours. The Dutch international has spent two days with City talking about the deal, with the expectation that the move would be made permanent at the end of the season.