Fowler's Maine Road move to go ahead

Robbie Fowler looks certain to become a Manchester City player by the end of next week.

The Leeds manager, Terry Venables, admitted last week that he had received an inquiry for the 27-year-old England striker, who came off the bench during his club's 2-1 defeat at Maine Road yesterday.

The City manager, Kevin Keegan, has set his sights on finding a new partner for record signing Nicolas Anelka and is not prepared to take a chance on either Jon Macken or Paulo Wanchope making a full recovery from long-term injury to play a pivotal part in his team's drive for a top-six spot.

Keegan knows cash-strapped Leeds can ill-afford to turn down £7m for Fowler, even though it leaves Venables dangerously short of attacking reserves.

The only problem would appear to centre around the player's wages, which top the £40,000-a-week mark.

Anelka is the highest Maine Road earner at around £35,000 a week and the City chairman, David Bernstein, is reluctant to go over that figure.

However, the indications are that a solution can be found, which could put Fowler in line for a City debut at Newcastle next Saturday.

"It is my job to look at every eventuality and that is why we are trying to strengthen," said Keegan, who has refused to discuss any bid for Fowler.

"Jon Macken played 60 minutes for the reserves last week but is going to need five or six games, which will take us beyond the transfer window.

"Paulo is not due back until February, so it could be March before he is ready.

"If those two weren't injured I probably wouldn't even be looking for a striker, but I have high expectations for this club and the better players that you have, the better chance you have of achieving them."