Hughes still hopeful on Kaka

It appeared the City staff were being left in the dark when Hughes' assistant manager Mark Bowen carried out a radio interview in Wales claiming the transfer was moving closer when, minutes later, a supposedly informed source in the United Arab Emirates was claiming the bid for Kaka had been abandoned.

But Hughes is adamant the proposal to sign Kaka from AC Milan is still on the table and said: "I saw those reports. You have to bear in mind the people who have been given a platform do not represent (owner) Sheikh Mansour or (chairman) Khaldoon (Al Mubarak). I do not think they should be given a platform because what they are saying is completely untrue. Negotiations are still taking place."

Hughes confirmed executive chairman Garry Cook led a deputation that flew to Italy earlier in the week for talks with AC Milan officials.

City insiders have previously claimed the discussions went as well as the Blues could possibly hope and Cook returned to England quietly optimistic a deal could be completed.

Hughes is fully supportive of the prospective transfer, backing up other claims that this week's meeting was not the first contact between the two parties.

"It would be naive to think I was not involved," he said. "I have a complete understanding of what is happening. This is not something we have just arrived at this week.

"It has been well documented that we have expressed an interest in signing him. Garry Cook and a number of other people went to Milan earlier in the week to get an understanding of the situation. To add any more at this stage would be wrong."

It is hardly a subject Hughes can avoid, although he claims to be comfortable with a situation where City appear able to lavish untold riches on Kaka, while failing to complete deals for Craig Bellamy, Scott Parker and Roque Santa Cruz.

"I want players who would enhance our squad. He is in that category," said Hughes. "There is no time limit other than February 2, which is the day for all deals, but that applies to every bid we have put in. Ideally we would have brought more players to the club by now. That is still our aim."