Manchester City Transfers: Calling True or False on 4 Big Rumours

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Let’s see if these four big Manchester City January transfer rumours are true or false.

Roberto Mancini’s men are six points behind Manchester United in the Premier League. The spin from finishing last in the UEFA Champions League group stages is that City doesn’t need to worry about the UEFA Europa League.

Do you think Mancini will reinforce in January? 

Players that I haven't watched (Rafael Cabral, Paulinho, Wilfried Zaha, etc.) will not be included in the article. 

Mamadou Sakho

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According to Simon Jones at the Daily Mail, Manchester City are eyeing Paris Saint-Germain centre-back Mamadou Sakho as a replacement for Joleon Lescott. 

False. 

Why on earth would City want Sakho? His form plummeted so badly that he wasn't even included in France's Euro 2012 squad as a backup defender.

He hasn't been as mistake-prone as last season, but there are still moments of indecisiveness that creep into his game.

Against Montpellier, he was pickpocketed by Gaetan Charbonnier. This forced the PSG defender to tug at Charbonnier, which the referee bizarrely interpreted as a red card offence. 

As a result, Carlo Ancelotti's team had to play with 10 men once again. 

If Roberto Mancini needs a Ligue 1 centre-back, instead of Sakho, he should go for Gil from Valenciennes. 

Ashley Cole

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John Richardson at Express.co.uk believes Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole will become a Manchester City transfer target. 

True. 

Do you remember the famous story about what Cole perceived as disrespect from Arsenal during his protracted contract negotiations with the Gunners?

In his own words (via John Hind at The Observer): "When I heard my agent repeat the figure of £55,000 [per week], I nearly swerved off the road. 'He's taking the piss, Jonathan!' I yelled down the phone. I was trembling with anger."

The disdainful nickname of Ca$hley was born. 

Roman Abramovich forced out José Mourinho, who went on to win a UEFA Champions League title with Inter Milan.

The Russian oligarch let his personal feelings override common sense during lavish signings of Fernando Torres, Andriy Shevchenko and Yuri Zhirkov. 

Given the amount of mistakes Abramovich has made, it wouldn't be a surprise if he were to let Cole—one of the best left-backs in the world—leave. 

There are only two destinations for Cole: Paris Saint-Germain or City. 

Daniele De Rossi

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Mark Ogden at The Telegraph says Roberto Mancini wants to sign Roma star Daniele De Rossi. 

True.

De Rossi averages 1.1 tackles per game—prodigious right-sided forward Erik Lamela averages 1.9 tackles per game. 

The Italian has misplaced 82 passes in nine league games and is just a liability on the field. Even when he's asked to not make a mistake, he loses it by punching Stefano Mauri for no apparent reason. 

Mancini is fixated on squad depth, while Roma wants to get rid of a deteriorating De Rossi. They don't want to pay this joke of a footballer €10 million per year (via ESPN FC) until 2017. 

Considering that Mancini signed Maicon, who had so many bad moments at Inter Milan after José Mourinho left, it's probable that he will make possibly the biggest mistake of his career by signing De Rossi. 

Fernando Llorente

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Manchester City are one of the many clubs in the running to land Fernando Llorente cheaply. January is the last chance for Athletic Bilbao to sell before relinquishing their No. 9 on a Bosman, according to The Metro. 

False. 

Llorente has been jeered by supporters who once loved him. He has fallen out with management and Marcelo Bielsa, who somehow still has a job even though Bilbao are one of the worst-run teams this season. 

That is a major fall from grace after they played Manchester United off the field during last season's UEFA Europa League.

So, Llorente is available, but he seems destined to don the Bianconeri shirt. Football Italia believe Juventus have already begun preliminary contractual negotiations with Llorente. 

Plus, do City really need him? No.

Roberto Mancini has to tread carefully with Edin Džeko's feelings, because he is unhappy about not starting every game. Mario Balotelli being Mario Balotelli is a constant soap opera. Also, Carlos Tévez is bound to regress into his me, me, me attitude if his role diminishes. Don't forget about the talented John Guidetti, who is close to full-fitness. 

 

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