Senna flattered by Manchester City interest

Marcos Senna has acknowledged Manchester City's alleged interest in acquiring his services by admitting that he is flattered by such a link, but that it will almost certainly take an "extraordinary" amount of City's newly acquired cash to pry him away from Villarreal.

"I have heard about the big project at City and I'm flattered by their interest," the 32-year-old Spain international told The Daily Mail on Thursday. "The Premier League is a big league and I am interested in the challenge. It is complicated leaving Villarreal because I am excited by the season and we are still involved in the league and the Champions League. It would take an enormous proposition by City for me to leave but it is not impossible."

The Brazilian-born holding midfielder has been identified by Mark Hughes as a key acquisition as he looks to reinforce City's stuttering rear guard and arrest their worrying slide into the relegation zone.

Villarreal sporting director Jose Luis Llanez was equivocal when discussing the possibility of the deal, admitting that nothing could be ruled out at this stage.

"We have received no formal offers but in football nothing is impossible," commented Llanez. "If we get a big offer we would consider it."

Senna is contracted to the Yellow Submarine until 2010, but City's cash may yet wield a decisive influence.