Stuart Pearce has confirmed that Manchester City are 'very hopeful' of signing a new striker before the end of the transfer window.
Georgios Samaras, Paul Dickov, Darius Vassell and Bernardo Corradi have only contributed seven goals between them in the Premiership this season and a new attacker is top of Pearce's agenda for January.
Time for signing reinforcements is rapidly running out but City appear confident of landing an unnamed player.
The club have been linked with targets as diverse as Wycombe hot-shot Jermaine Easter, Tottenham star Mido and Heerenveen's Brazilian front-man Afonso Alves, but Pearce is reluctant to confirm which player, or players, could be arriving at Eastlands.
"We are very hopeful of getting a striker and we are certainly a lot closer than we were this time last week," said Pearce.
"We are looking for something permanent and at this moment in time, we are looking for more than one.
"The closer we get to the window, the more we feel teams will loosen up."
Alves could well be the mystery man in question as the former Malmo man - who has bagged 18 goals in De Eredivisie this season - has now admitted that City are closing following his progress.
Furthermore, the Brazilian is keen to test himself in the Premiership if City can match Heerenveen's valuation.
"Yes they [Manchester City] are interested and I believe the Premiership would suit me," Alves told Kvallsposten.