Tucked away inside this article on plans for a US tour next summer is the news that we have offered a contract to Martin Petrov - with talks by all accounts 'enouraging':
City have offered Martin Petrov a new contract and are encouraged by the way the negotiations have gone with the Bulgaria international. The deadline-day signing of Adam Johnson and Craig Bellamy's impressive form have increased the competition on the left side of attack but Robinho has made it clear he does not want to return to Manchester after his six-month loan spell with Santos and the manager, Roberto Mancini, is keen to keep the 31-year-old Petrov, who is out of contract at the end of the season and eligible to speak to potential buyers.As excited as I am that we landed Adam Johnson on deadline day, it would be a huge shame if that spelled the end of Martin Petrov's time at the club. Although he has come in for criticism in some quarters, he is a genuinely exciting player to watch and undoubtedly has a role still to play for us - even more so if Robinho has pulled on a shirt for the last time.