MANCHESTER UNITED reject Owen Hargreaves was last night closing in on a sensational switch to bitter rivals Manchester City.
Owen Hargreaves underwent a three-hour medical at the Bridgewater Hospital in Manchester and is expected to complete his free transfer in the next 24 hours.
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has decided to take a huge gamble on Hargreaves in a shock move that could rescue the former England star from the football scrapheap.
The unexpected lifeline will see Hargreaves join the richest club in the world on a 12-month deal three months after being told he was no longer wanted at Old Trafford.
Hargreaves left Manchester United at the end of last season after the champions refused to hand him a new contract in the wake of his constant injury problems.
The 30-year-old cost United £18m from Bayern Munich in 2007 but was forced to have operations on both knees and made just 27 appearances in four seasons.
He was keen to stay at Old Trafford and even offered to play for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men for nothing.
But Fergie showed him the door and Hargreaves resorted to posting a video of himself training on YouTube in a bid to show bosses he was fit again.
Aston Villa, West Brom, Tottenham and Leicester have all shown interest in Hargreaves this summer, but Mancini has decided to sign him after failing in a bid to land AC Milan star Mark van Bommel.
The Italian is desperate to boost his midfield options and wants cover for when Yaya Toure is absent this winter because of the African Cup of Nations.
Starsport understands Mancini and his medical staff have spent the last week putting Hargreaves through his paces and are convinced that he is worth the risk.
Mancini knows he has nothing to lose because he is getting a Premier League and double Champions League winner for nothing.
Hargreaves has agreed a deal worth around £20,000-a-week plus bonuses that will be extended next summer should he prove himself this season.
City defender Joleon Lescott reckons Har- greaves can get back to his best and said: “The manager has seen something, we all know he’s got the quality to play Champions League football as well. That can only bode well for the club.”
Former United team-mate Wayne Rooney said: “It will be difficult for him to get back to his best and I hope he can.”
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has decided to take a huge gamble on Hargreaves in a shock move that could rescue the former England star from the football scrapheap.
The unexpected lifeline will see Hargreaves join the richest club in the world on a 12-month deal three months after being told he was no longer wanted at Old Trafford.
Hargreaves left Manchester United at the end of last season after the champions refused to hand him a new contract in the wake of his constant injury problems.
The 30-year-old cost United £18m from Bayern Munich in 2007 but was forced to have operations on both knees and made just 27 appearances in four seasons.
He was keen to stay at Old Trafford and even offered to play for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men for nothing.
But Fergie showed him the door and Hargreaves resorted to posting a video of himself training on YouTube in a bid to show bosses he was fit again.
Aston Villa, West Brom, Tottenham and Leicester have all shown interest in Hargreaves this summer, but Mancini has decided to sign him after failing in a bid to land AC Milan star Mark van Bommel.
The Italian is desperate to boost his midfield options and wants cover for when Yaya Toure is absent this winter because of the African Cup of Nations.
Starsport understands Mancini and his medical staff have spent the last week putting Hargreaves through his paces and are convinced that he is worth the risk.
Mancini knows he has nothing to lose because he is getting a Premier League and double Champions League winner for nothing.
Hargreaves has agreed a deal worth around £20,000-a-week plus bonuses that will be extended next summer should he prove himself this season.
City defender Joleon Lescott reckons Har- greaves can get back to his best and said: “The manager has seen something, we all know he’s got the quality to play Champions League football as well. That can only bode well for the club.”
Former United team-mate Wayne Rooney said: “It will be difficult for him to get back to his best and I hope he can.”
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