MANCHESTER CITY boss Kevin Keegan is closing in on a £4 million deal to sign Cameroon World Cup star Marc-Vivien Foe from French champions Lyon.
People Sport can today reveal Keegan wants to tie up a move for the ex-West Ham midfielder when the transfer window opens across the Channel this week.
Foe has found his old form in France since moving back there from the Hammers and his displays for club and country have caught Keegan’s eye.
Lyon clinched the title last week and are in the Champions League, but they will sell Foe – and the African wants to come back to the Premiership to prove his quality.
Foe is still sore his spell at Upton Park was dogged by injury and feels he could be a big player in England when he is fit and at the right club.
Keegan is desperate for a midfield dynamo, a strong tackler who can get the ball for magician Ali Benarbia – and Foe heads that list in front of Ipswich’s Matt Holland.
The big-thinking City chief is near to an agreement on a deal with Lyon that should see Foe join up before the World Cup.
Keegan would like the transfer completed fast before the player has the chance to grab attention in the finals next month.
Foe has a French passport, so he would not need a work permit.
Sylvain Distin will join City next week from Paris St Germain snubbing Newcastle, and giant Dutch defender Tyrone Loran is also moving to Maine Road when a buy-out clause at Volendam kicks in.
