Manchester City: 6 Potential Striking Targets

Matthew Lewis/Getty Images

As is the nature of the beast, every member of Manchester City's striking department has been linked with a move away from the Etihad Stadium this summer transfer window.

Edin Dzeko has endured mixed success after a blistering start to the season; Carlos Tevez made no secret of his desire to leave as he went on a self-enforced exile to Argentina; Mario Balotelli is continually hounded by the media, who seemingly would like nothing other than one of the brightest talents in European football to leave the country; Sergio Aguero has been a long-term target of his old rivals Real Madrid.

It seems likely that one or more of the quartet will leave in the coming months so here are six potential targets for the Manchester City hierarchy.

Ezequiel Lavezzi

Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images

Lavezzi and his teammates have become hot property after an impressive debut campaign in the Champions League with Napoli. Lavezzi seems the most likely to leave the Stadio San Paolo, the pacy attacker reportedly less enamoured with the city's notorious crime problems.

The Argentine forward's agent recently gave the biggest indication that Napoli may part with one-third of their attacking trident this summer.

“Would Lavezzi change teams in the future? Any person working in life must feel good and earn money.

“If he had used only the emotion of love in his choices, then he would not be living in Naples now, but he would be playing in his homeland, Argentina.

“Pocho has shown many times that he feels good at Napoli, but there are so many things that need to be evaluated when one decides what team to play for.”

John Guidetti

EuroFootball/Getty Images

It seems very likely that Manchester City could choose to promote from within to solve their striking conundrum. Few would have expected John Guidetti's loan spell at Feyenoord this season to have been the runaway success it has been–except Guidetti himself of course.

20 goals in 23 games, including a hat-trick against Ajax have propelled Guidetti into contention for selection at Euro 2012. The stocky goalscorer would provide a never-say-die tough attitude similar to Carlos Tevez, and at the age of just 20, he has the world at his feet.

Daniel Sturridge

Michael Regan/Getty Images

A product of the Manchester City youth academy, Sturridge left the Blues when his contract expired in search of first team football at Chelsea.

Many blame the young striker's exit on a wage dispute, but when City brought in Carlos Tevez and Emmanuel Adebayor to play in his position after a year of already sitting on the bench while Ched Evans and Benjani made the first team, it is no wonder that Sturridge began to make eyes at other clubs.

Out of favour under interim Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo, a move back to the club which developed him is a possibility.

Salomon Kalou

Michael Steele/Getty Images

Approaching the final months of his contract, Chelsea's Salomon Kalou has been attracting attention from all over Europe.

After a bit-part career at Stamford Bridge it remains to be seen whether Kalou would be content with yet again being a squad man or whether he now has his eyes set on being the leading man in a strike-force.

Some may scoff, but every successful team needs squad players, and with his experience at Chelsea, Kalou has played his part when called upon.

Junior Hoilett

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

With Blackburn Rovers sliding further and further towards relegation as the season ends, it seems inevitable that young starlet Junior Hoilett will ply his trade away from Ewood Park this summer.

With the Canadian's contract expiring, there will be without a doubt a scramble for the versatile forward's signature.

Robin Van Persie

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

The speculation just will not go away.

With Kolo Toure, Emannuel Adebayor, Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri all making the move from Arsenal to Manchester City in recent years it is only natural for van Persie's name to be mentioned as Arsenal fight for Champions League qualification and Manchester City contend for the title.

The Dutchman has stepped up to hit 34 goals so far this season, but his Arsenal future remains uncertain as long as his contract wrangle goes unanswered.