Manchester City Transfers: 5 Strikers for City to Consider in January

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Malaga's Isco may currently top Roberto Mancini's January shopping list, but if the Manchester City boss wants to redeem his somewhat ill-advised last-minute activity in the summer transfer window with a full-blown spending spree in the new year, picking up another striker would certainly be the next priority (via The Mirror).

Though it seems unlikely now, if the Citizens were to sell either Edin Dzeko or Mario Balotelli, it would give Mancini all the justification he needs to add another world class forward to his team.

With the bankroll of the City owners as big as it is, the only deterrent to a big money transfer would be the club's fears of falling foul of UEFA's Financial Fair Play regulations.

But leaving such doubts at the door, here is a look at five top quality—and semi-available—strikers that Mancini could realistically consider adding to his Premier League-winning squad in the winter transfer window.

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar

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Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is one of the hottest strikers in Europe right now, having scored an astonishing 48 goals in all competitions last season for Bundesliga side Schalke.

Such an impressive goal tally was apparently not enough for his name to make the 23-man shortlist for the FIFA's Ballon d'Or award though, but that insignificant fact shouldn't take away from his being one of the world's best in the position.

He may be very similar in playing style to Dzeko, but he is as clinical as any in the penalty area and a powerful force in the air.

The only downside to a January transfer would be the fact he is cup-tied, and would be unable to compete in the Champions League for the Blues due to his previous involvement with Schalke.

Likely Cost: £20 million

Radamel Falcao

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If money were no object, Radamel Falcao would undoubtedly be Roberto Mancini's first choice forward to bring to Manchester in the new year.

Currently playing some of the best football in the game for Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid, the Colombian hitman has already scored 13 goals in only 9 games in all competitions this season.

He has received praise from none other than the King of Spain, who recently revealed his admiration for the 26-year-old's goalscoring exploits in a meeting between the two.

The devastating Falcao would certainly be quite a catch for Mancini and Co., but Atletico are sure to demand the full cost of his contract's release clause.

Likely Cost: £46 million

Fernando Llorente

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Of all the forwards on this list, Fernando Llorente is the one who would be the most available and willing to move to the cold and rainy Manchester come January.

The Spanish striker made it clear in the summer that he was keen on a move to new pastures, and his club Athletic Bilbao have revealed they are willing to listen to offers due to his soon-to-expire contract (via Daily Mail).

He would love a move to the Premier League—his physicality and doggedness suit the rigours of the British game to a tee.

Last season he scored 29 times in all competitions, playing a major role in the Basque side's dominant run to the Europa League final.

Likely Cost: £15 million

Stefan Jovetic

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Roberto Mancini's fondness for Italian club football has already alerted him to the talents of Fiorentina's tricky forward Stefan Jovetic.

Compared with the others on this list, the Montenegrin's style is the most similar to that of both Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez, and would compliment the Argentinian duo perfectly in an attacking trio.

It would naturally be difficult to persuade Fiorentina to part with their most prized asset, as both club and player are content with their current situation.

Jovetic even claims that he rejected an approach from City in the summer, due to their delay in making a concrete offer for his services (via The Mirror).

Likely Cost: £25 million

Edinson Cavani

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Edinson Cavani's goalscoring record for Napoli in the Serie A is quite phenomenal.

In 78 league games, he has struck 55 goals, as well as bursting the net an additional 19 times in other competitions since making the move from Sicilian side Palermo in 2010.

A true big man who is just as clinical in the air as he is with the ball at his feet, the 6"2' Uruguayan may have signed a new contract with his current club in the summer, but with the riches at Mancini's disposal, one can never say never to a possible transfer.

The release clause in his contract is believed to be close to £50 million, but it's possible that unpredictable Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis would start listening to offers beginning at slightly less.

Likely Cost: £40 million

 

If City were to bring in another striker in January, who do you think would be the best option? Has Darren Bent been unfairly omitted from this list, or does Roberto Mancini have far too much common sense to consider a washed up, overrated slouch?

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