Manchester City Transfers: 5 Deadline-Day Possibilities

As the close of the January transfer window is in sight, it's still not too late for clubs to scrap together some loose change and make some waves before the calendar officially says it's February.

Of course, Manchester City aren't so hard up as to need to count their pennies just yet.

The transfer window has been relatively quiet in terms of major business so far, but anyone who follows the sport knows that could change in the blink of an eye.

You only have to go back a year to find the Fernando Torres and Andy Carroll last-minute deals that shocked the football world. Why should this year be any different?

With City looking strong atop the Premier League table, here's five deadline-day possibilities for the Citizens.

Carlos Tevez: DEPARTING

The Carlos Tevez "will he, won't he" affair continues to gather pace as it is understood Liverpool tried to sign the Argentinean by offering Andy Carroll in a swap deal.

Paris St Germain, AC Milan, Inter Milan and now Liverpool are all understood to have made offers for the players, only to come up short either in valuation or personal terms.

Roberto Mancini has suggested Carlos Tevez will be staying until the summer now, but I wouldn't be surprised to see a last-minute bid come in from somewhere.

Tevez is believed to be hiding out in Argentina whilst his future is played out through the tabloids.

Andy Carroll: ARRIVING

With Liverpool's alleged Tevez/Carroll swap-deal offer turned down by the Citizens, Liverpool could yet come back with a Carroll-plus cash offer for the Argentine misfit.

Whilst it is also rumoured that Tevez doesn't fancy the move, it's important to remember that these are just rumours and the public has yet to find out the full extent of the bid.

When money starts being mentioned and the window begins to close, the pressure of immediate decision-making can influence even the strongest of personal opinions.

If Carroll got the chance to move, I think he'd go for it, despite his most recent claim that he has no desire to leave.

How often have footballers and managers reneged on their words?

It's still possible.

Edinson Cavani: ARRIVING

Napoli hitman Edinson Cavani has been lethal in Serie A and shows no signs of slowing down.

If Manchester City do actually manage to offload Tevez before the January deadline, the club might look to use those funds immediately with an offer for Edinson Cavani.

Cavani is believed to be valued at around £30 million by Mancini, but Napoli are wanting closer to £40 million for a deal to be discussed.

Alessio Cerci: ARRIVING

Fiorentina winger Alessio Cerci has been linked with a number of clubs of late, one of which is Manchester City.

Samir Nasri certainly hasn't settled at Manchester City as well as he'd have hoped, and Mancini may look to bring Cerci in to increase his options on the wing.

Cerci has been linked with a move to Torino, but Manchester City is believed to be his preference. 

Cerci is a more likely purchase for Mancini this late in the transfer window.

Adam Johnson: DEPARTING

Despite signing an improved contract only a few months ago, speculation is mounting that Adam Johnson may be subject to a last-ditch transfer offer from Chelsea.

Johnson has been used mainly as a substitute under manager Roberto Mancini, and with Euro 2012 around the corner, the player may feel he needs more first-team action.

Johnson is believed to be valued at approximately £14 million.

After Thoughts

Of course, there is also the possibility that Manchester City won't alter their personnel in the slightest. But when you consider their spending power, that scenario is hard to swallow.

City have looked superb at the Etihad stadium, but the pressure of being top of the table is just starting to cause a few cracks.

Mancini needs to address any issues within his squad quickly if he is to make any January signings. If an offer is accepted, the wage agreement should be a formality.

City don't need much to ensure their first Premier League title, but a few injuries here and there without suitable backup could prove costly for the club.

Harmony might even be the order of the day by ending the long-running Tevez saga, which threatens to distract the manager and staff members.

The transfers being touted for Manchester City this January seem a little farfetched, even considering City's spending power.

Whatever happens over the next few days, I still expect City to win the Premier League and recruit Cavani this summer.

Thanks for reading and follow me on twitter @petercwebster where I post all my b/r content and articles.

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