Sven on brink of first signing

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Reggina have already claimed a fee had been agreed of £8.8million to bring the 24-year-old to Eastlands.

Foti told www.gazzetta.it: "The negotiations are going forward and there is a willingness for an agreement. There are no problems at the moment and I think it will be shortly concluded."

City are close to completing the move for Bianchi despite not having made a formal bid for the player who finished last season as the fourth-top scorer in Serie A.

Manager Sven-Goran Eriksson is hopeful the deal can be completed for Bianchi to be a City player by the time of the club's first pre-season friendly at Doncaster on Saturday.

Bianchi would not be involved at the Keepmoat Stadium but at least a swift conclusion to the transfer - Eriksson's first since he succeeded Stuart Pearce as manager last week - would allow the Italian to have a couple of training sessions with his new team-mates before they depart for a two-game tour of Sweden next Wednesday.

Eriksson has made it a priority to bring in striking reinforcements - City scored just 29 goals last season.