Manchester City: Monaco still keen on Anelka

Monaco have admitted they are keen to take Manchester City striker Nicolas Anelka back to France.

The Champions League finalists want to sign another forward before the end of August and have targeted Anelka or Barcelona's Javier Saviola.

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Monaco claim they expect Manchester City striker Nicolas Anelka to decide today whether he will join them.

Anelka and Barcelona's Javier Saviola have been earmarked by the Principality club to replace the departed Fernando Morientes who has returned to Real Madrid after a year on loan with Didier Deschamps' side.

City would be reluctant sellers but it is believed they would accept a big fee for the 25-year-old.

Monaco have revealed Manchester City will only allow Nicolas Anelka to leave on a "permanent transfer".

The City striker has been pursued forcefully by the Champions League finalists who want to sign the 25-year-old on loan.City have been angered by Monaco's approach and manager Kevin Keegan is adamant they will not allow their most high-profile player to be loaned out.

Manchester City striker Nicolas Anelka is too expensive for Lyon according to the French club's president Jean-Michel Aulas.

Instead, Lyon look set to turn their attention to Javier Saviola of Barcelona.