Man. City targets Liverpool's Benitez

The following is a roundup of soccer stories from U.K. newspapers.

City wants Benitez

Manchester City is watching Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez's contract stand-off as it lines up an approach for the Spaniard, the People said.

City may fire coach Mark Hughes, with Benitez, Inter Milan's Jose Mourinho and Chelsea's Luiz Felipe Scolari being considered to replace him, the newspaper said.

Benitez, who has 16 months remaining on his Liverpool contract, last month rejected an extension because he wants more control over player signings. He blames Chief Executive Rick Parry for making several transfer blunders, the People added.

Rafa's contract agreement

City's interest in Benitez may be ended after Liverpool's owners agreed to give him full control over transfers, according to the Sunday Mirror.

Parry will be asked to concentrate on the club's commercial operations, while Benitez will have the power to identify and value targets within a set budget, the newspaper said.

Benitez was unhappy that Parry refused to sanction an 18 million-pound ($26.2 million) move for Aston Villa's Gareth Barry at the start of the season, instead spending 20 million pounds on striker Robbie Keane, the Mirror added.

Keane is set for a 15 million-pound return to Tottenham, the Mail on Sunday reported.

Robinho to Chelsea?

Chelsea will sign Manchester City's Brazil forward Robinho at the end of the season to bolster its attack, with Didier Drogba leaving the club, the News of the World reported.

City boss Hughes rejected an opportunity to sign Drogba, valued at 27 million pounds, with Robinho moving to Chelsea for an additional 6 million pounds, the newspaper said.

Chelsea expects to receive at least 20 million pounds for Drogba, according to the News of the World.

Wigan rejects Real

Wigan rejected an 18 million-pound bid from Real Madrid for Ecuador winger Luis Antonio Valencia and has agreed to a deal to give Manchester United first option on signing the player, the People said.

Wigan manager Steve Bruce is reluctant to sell Valencia during the transfer window after losing Emile Heskey and Wilson Palacios in January, the newspaper reported.