Manchester City: Top 5 January Transfer Targets for Roberto Mancini

Paolo Bruno/Getty Images

The Premier League season may still be in its infancy, but there is only one goal that England’s top clubs will be striving for come May 13^th.

Manchester City have had a sensational start, but Roberto Mancini has openly admitted that there are still gaps in his squad.

In a post-match interview after City’s disappointing 2-2 with Fulham, the Italian manager said: "We are lacking at this moment because we lost two midfielders. I don't have players.

"I have only two midfielders, because James [Milner] and De Jong have injuries."

Although such comments may come as a surprise to the footballing community, it is essential that a squad has cover for every position if they want to be viewed as genuine title contenders.

Here are five players that the Citizens may be hoping to poach by the end of January.

Gary Cahill

Clint Hughes/Getty Images

Bolton may be in the midst of their worst ever start to a Premier League season but one player has stood firm in the heart of the Trotter’s defence.

Gary Cahill’s fine form has seen him cement a starting position in Fabio Capello’s England squad while at the same time attracting interest from the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and Barcelona.

In the past, the former Aston Villa defender has been linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium; however, during the summer transfer window Roberto Mancini refused to transform press rumours into a formal transfer offer.

Cahill’s contract expires at the end of the season and Owen Coyle has in the past accepted that the centre back is destined to achieve to bigger things.

Given City’s financial prowess they may choose to offer Bolton a very reasonable cut price sum to secure the England international’s services, much like they did with Arsenal for Samir Nasri.

Daniele De Rossi

Claudio Villa/Getty Images

Like Gary Cahill, Daniele De Rossi’s contract is also set to expire at the end of the season.

The defensive midfielder has spent the entirety of his career at Roma and he has publicly expressed his desire to remain in Italy.

ESPN has recently quoted the midfielder saying "Everything is at an impasse.

"We have discussed the issue in recent weeks and I am sure we will find a good solution for everyone.

"I will not put pressure on Roma. I never said I would sign for another club and that's true.”

That being said, a recent report from the Sun has suggested that Roberto Mancini is considering offering the Italian club £8 million for his compatriot in January.

The same story also quoted Mancini saying: “De Rossi would be absolutely perfect. I rate him one of the best midfielders in the world."

Neven Subotic

Claudio Villa/Getty Images

In the past, Manchester City have expressed an interest in signing the Serbian centre back; however, his public commitment to current club Borussia Dortmund, combined with a £25 million price tag, seemed enough to repel potential suitors from making a formal bid.

The Serb was an integral cog in Dortmund’s defensive machine in last season’s Bundesliga. He is youthful, physically dominating and an experienced international.

With players like Kolarov and Savic in the squad already, Subotic should have no problems adapting to life in England.

Alessio Cerci

Massimo Paolone / Iguana Press/Getty Images

Roberto Mancini is reported to be a huge admirer of Fiorentina’s wiry winger. Although the Citizens have plenty of cover in the width department, the versatility of Samir Nasri and David Silva means that Cerci could be incorporated into the team.

A recent report in the Metro has suggested that Cerci would prefer to stay in Italy, but is "flattered" by the interest Manchester City have shown in him.

In September, the Mirror reported Mancini saying "He is one of the few players who are able to win a game on their own. If I could have I would have brought him to the Premier League a year ago.

"We have tried again this summer because I thought he might make an important contribution and mix well with the players here at City."

Such comments, made after the transfer deadline, suggest it is only a matter of time before the Citizens' manager reignites his interest in a player he defined as "extraordinary."

Marek Hamsik and Ezequiel Lavezzi

Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images

A report in today’s Daily Mirror has reported that Roberto Mancini is considering launching an audacious bid to sign Napoli’s creative duo: Marek Hamsik and Ezequiel Lavezzi.  

It is reported that first team coach Fausto Salsano has been sent to Italy to scout the two players ahead of a potential transfer bid.

“Manchester City are watching Napoli very carefully,” Salsano told a Naples radio station. “I can confirm Mancini’s interest in Hamsik because I have been to watch the Slovak,” Salsano said.

“Marek has become a very important player with the right experience. Lavezzi, on the other hand, is a devastating player who can hurt you one-on-one. Hamsik and Lavezzi are players we like because our aim is to do great things.”