MANCHESTER CITY yesterday told Sheffield Wednesday they would have to beat the world record £15 million figure Newcastle paid for Alan Shearer if they are going to have any hope of prising Georgi Kinkladze away from Maine Road.

City secretary Bernard Halford yesterday dismissed claims that the Hillsborough club had made a move for the brilliant Georgian, whose form shone through the gloom of City's relegation from the Premiership last term.

But manager Alan Ball admitted that his Wednesday counterpart David Pleat had made a £5 million inquiry.