Sparky & JT were talk of the terraces.. cocktail terraces that is!
THERE was only one subject occupying the minds of the football-loving holidaymakers relaxing at the Jumeirah Beach complex last week.
The news Manchester City boss Mark Hughes and Chelsea star John Terry were in residence.
Could it be Sparky was trying to pull out an amazing transfer coup by moving in for the man dubbed Mr Chelsea?
Speculation raged on the terraces — the cocktail terraces that is — as various sightings were reported of the two men.
JT was staying at Dubai’s Beit Al Bahar in a villa described on the hotel website as a ‘breathtaking precious jewel which upholds the highest standards of traditional hospitality and promises a magical stay’.
Hughes was virtually next door at Dar Al Masyaf in an exclusive gulf summer house.
Days after their stay, stories broke of City’s £30million bid for the England captain and that it had been rejected by Chelsea.
The Brits on holiday were stunned to find there was substance in their gossip. Hughes really wanted the Blues centre-back.
Sun reader Jason Dyer, from Hertfordshire, said: “They were both at Jumeirah at the same time, no doubt about it.
“The place was buzzing about the fact they were there. As soon as we got to the resort everyone was talking about it.
“Then we saw Terry in the restaurant and gardens and Hughes at breakfast.
“We were having a laugh about whether Hughes would be signing Terry and came home to discover City had made a bid. It was amazing.â€
Chelsea suspect Terry, 28, had been approached by people close to City before the Eastlands outfit made their official move.
City were said to have ‘done their homework thoroughly’ on the JT situation and received enough encouragement to pursue their target.
The Blues rejected last week’s approach out of hand but sources believe the chase is not over and that City will be back with another offer Despite the fact Terry is known as Mr Chelsea, he is interested in a switch to City and heartened by the unwavering faith Hughes has in him.
City are ready to offer the talismanic centre-back a £300,000-a-week, five-year deal worth almost £80m before tax.
While Chelsea insist Terry is not for sale, privately they are considering a sale if City come up with a £45m fee.
Even then Terry will have to put in a transfer request as the Blues and owner Roman Abramovich do not want to be seen to be forcing their skipper out.
Hughes needs a leader and a man he can totally trust if City are to break into the Premier League top four and become one of Europe’s biggest clubs.
