Sven Goran Eriksson is confident Manchester City can trump Liverpool for West Ham midfielder Yossi Benayoun.
The Times says Eriksson is optimistic that he can exploit his relationship with Pini Zahavi, the powerful Israeli agent, to sign Benayoun.
Liverpool have already made a bid for Benayoun, but, with the Merseyside club struggling to meet West Ham's £4 million valuation, City believe their new-found financial strength could prove decisive.