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City make improved bid

Manchester City have made an improved bid for Fulham's Steed Malbranque.

Manchester City have made an improved bid for Fulham's Steed Malbranque, believed to be in the region of £5 million.

Stuart Pearce is pushing hard to make the French schemer his major summer signing despite Chris Coleman's determination not to sell any of his stars on the eve of the new Premiership season.

Coleman has already been resisting Newcastle United's offers for Luis Boa Morte but Pearce is optimistic that the cash will prove too tempting to turn down.

"We've tabled a very substantial offer to Fulham," he told Sky Sports News. "A very fair offer.

"We're waiting on an answer from them basically.

"He's a player I respect a great deal and I think he'll benefit our club greatly.

"I would like to see him come and join us. The ball is in Fulham's court and basically we're waiting to hear from them.

"I think the offer we've put on the table is quite substantial and, if I was them, I'd take it."

Pearce feels City are lacking a creative spark following the departure of Shaun Wright-Phillips to Chelsea.

Premiership without big 4: Spurs 3/1 Everton 4/1 Newcastle 4/1 Boro 7/1 Bolton 8/1 Villa 9/1 B'ham 10/1 Blackburn 16/1 Man City 16/1 Charlton 20/1 - Click for odds with Sky Bet