Trabelsi joins City
Manchester City have completed the signing of Tunisian World Cup defender Hatem Trabelsi from Ajax.
The experienced full-back was forced to come through a series of stringent medical tests before agreeing what is believed to be a pay-as-you-play deal with the Blues.
Once courted by Manchester United and Arsenal, Trabelsi’s ability is not in question but a series of knee injuries have placed a question mark over his durability.
Trabelsi still requires a work permit before officially being unveiled as a City player but, having seen his contract run out in Amsterdam, Pearce believes his sixth close-season signing represents an astute piece of business.
“He is one of the best Bosmans of the summer,” Pearce told www.mcfc.co.uk
“He has played at the highest level for Ajax, and been to three World Cups. He captains his country as well, so it is a good CV.
“I have watched him play for Ajax over the last three years and been very impressed with him.
“He is an attacking full-back we’re just waiting on that work permit now.”
Trabelsi’s arrival is sure to place a further question mark over the future of former England international Danny Mills, who remains at City despite falling out of favour with Pearce at the back end of last season.
However, the 29-year-old seems unlikely to be the last new face at Eastlands, with Swedish goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson poised to sign once David James completes his move to Portsmouth.
Having told Pearce of his desire to quit the Blues, it seems only a matter of time before the England keeper completes his switch to Fratton Park.
However, However, cash-rich Portsmouth, backed by enthusiastic new owner Alexandre Gaydamak, have been warned James will be going nowhere unless they come up with an acceptable deal, believed to be around the £1million mark.
“David has expressed a wish to leave and I have to be prepared for that eventuality,” said Pearce.
“But the bottom line is whether the finance we are being offered is acceptable.
“Portsmouth have made one bid, which has been rejected.
“Unless the situation changes David will have to stay here and carry on doing what he has been doing for the last two-and-a-half years, which is keep goal very well for Manchester City.”
Although James’ desire to spend more time with his fiancée, who is based in the south of England, is a major influence behind his desire for a move, so too is the potential offer of a three-year contract at Portsmouth.
Currently in the final year of his present deal at City, James knows he has no chance of getting a similar offer if he stays where he is.
The goalkeeper spoke to his manager during the Blues recent two-match tour of china, with Pearce insisting there has been no major fall-out.
“David has been as good as gold,” said the City chief.
“I understand the reasons for him wanting to leave. He is not anti-Manchester City and he is not anti-Stuart Pearce.
“The situation might be difficult for someone whose mind was elsewhere but I don’t anticipate any problems from David whether he stays or goes.”
Meanwhile, Pearce insists it would not concern him if contract rebel Sylvain Distin entered the campaign with City knowing he would be free to leave next summer.
Distin, whose present deal has one year to run, has so far declined to sign a contract extension and, like James, has been linked strongly with a move to Portsmouth.
So far though, the indications are that the French defender, replaced as City skipper by Richard Dunne this season, will be in Pearce’s squad for the opening Premiership game against Chelsea on August 20.
“Until people meet our valuation of Sylvain, he will stay where he is, which will only benefit me because he is a good player,” said Distin.
“It would be no skin off my nose if he enters the final year of his contract. I am a football manager, a year is a hell of a long time in football management.”
