http://www.mcfc.co.uk/Article.asp?ARTICLE=81337
DEFENDER DEAL CLOSE

Manchester City are pursuing their interest in Chinese defender,
Sun Jihai after the player trained with the City squad.

City's moves to bring Chinese defender Sun Jihai to Maine Road
are, "on-going" and the defender could become a City player by
the weekend. The twenty four year old arrived at the Carrington
training HQ last week for a look at the set up and to train with the
squad.

A deal could be tied up by the end of Wednesday but the
international would not be eligible to play in the FA Cup tie on
Sunday as the formalities of his transfer from his home club Dalian
Wanda would not be completed in time.

"We know Sun Jihia can play with us it is a case of letting him look at us and see if he is
happy with the set up," said Kevin Keegan after the player arrived at Carrington last week.

"He is a quality player who was sold back to China by Crystal Palace for more money than
they paid for him. We will have a good look at him."

With China in the shop window at the World Cup later this year, Kevin Keegan has once
again showed a shrewd sense of timing in the transfer market as the defender will
undoubtedly attract huge interest in June from a multitude of scouts.

"Sun Jihai has been in England before, likes it and wants to come back. We know he is good
enough to play for us if we are in the Premiership, but we wanted him to come and have a
look at us."

"He can play all away along the back line in the centre and in midfield as well. We think
that the right side is his strongest position."