Manchester City remain hopeful of convincing Valencia winger David Silva about a move to Eastlands.

The Guardian says Silva is known to favour a move to Real Madrid but City are hoping their financial muscle can persuade him to move to Manchester as part of a projected new-look midfield.

City's manager, Roberto Mancini, stressed during an end-of-season meeting with Garry Cook, Brian Marwood and the chairman, Khaldoon al-Mubarak, in Abu Dhabi that his team needed more creativity.