Dr Sulaiman Al-Fahim, who is heading the Abu Dhabi United Group's takeover of the Barclays Premier League club, told PA Sport that he is "hopeful" a deal for Tottenham's Berbatov can be agreed before midnight after a fee of more than £30million was agreed.

However, Villa and Gomez are also on the radar.

"I am hopeful about Berbatov, but I need to speak to our colleagues in England to see what the latest is," he told PA Sport.

"We have bids in for three players. There is Berbatov, but there is also David Villa and Mario Gomez. We have bids in for Villa and Gomez and I am waiting to hear whether we have been successful with those (offers).

"Funds are available, and transfers such as these show we are serious."

Villa was top scorer at Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland, netting four goals in Spain's triumphant campaign.

Gomez scored at the weekend in Stuttgart's 2-0 win Hannover in the Bundesliga, and struck 22 goals in all competitions last season.

Al-Fahim admitted that City are in a race against time to bring in players before the transfer deadline in a few hours' time, but added that significant investment is sure to follow in the winter transfer window.

"The three players we are trying to bring in are good players, but it has been difficult because we only started (takeover) negotiations a couple of weeks ago," Al-Fahim added.

"We haven't had a lot of time, but our idea is to bring in more players during the next transfer window.

"I don't want to put a figure on what will be available (for squad strengthening), like £100million, because more than that might be needed."

Al-Fahim also gave his backing to manager Mark Hughes, who is set to benefit from the huge transfer kitty available.

"We are happy with him," Al-Fahim added. "We need to sit down with him and discuss his targets. He has our support and we will give him the authority to sign the players he wants to sign."