Manchester City Transfer Rumours: 11 Big-Name Stars Linked to Blues This Summer

Manchester City is one of the biggest spenders in the English Premier League, and there are several players who will be worth their money this summer.

In recent years, City's management has approached the transfer market like a spoiled child in a department store. Roberto Mancini and his staff have just grabbed the most expensive items available, knowing all the while that their rich dad (Shekh Mansour) will pick up the tab.

The Blues have bought several big-name targets in the past few years and will likely look to add even more talent to the roster after the season.

Here are 11 elite footballers who have been linked to City and may soon be moving to Manchester.

(All market-value prices are courtesy of Transfermarkt.co.uk. These are evaluations of a player's true worth, not necessarily what they will be sold for. These prices are what Arsene Wenger would pay for a player, not Sheikh Mansour or Roman Abromovich)

11. Edinson Cavani, F, Napoli

Age: 25

Market-value price: £24 million

Edinson Cavani has continued his fine form with Napoli and has scored 15 goals in Serie A matches.

He is a big, powerful player with a soft first touch and a thundering shot. The striker is one of the top candidates to replace Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez.

The Uruguayan has been linked to the world's major clubs since helping his team win the 2011 Copa America. 

City reportedly considered a £30 bid for the striker in the January transfer window, but was unable to close a deal.

This summer, the Blues will need to make a sizable offer in order to bring Cavani to Manchester.

10. Gonzalo Higuaín, F, Real Madrid

Age: 24

Market-value price: £31 million or Sergio Agüero

Manchester City and Real Madrid both have a surplus of strikers and the two teams may end up swapping players this summer.

City showed interest last offseason when Gonzalo Higuaín was being shopped for £15 million, a low price compared to the Blues' other recent transfers. 

Now Madrid is reportedly asking for Sergio Agüero to be included any deal involving Higuaín, but City does not want to part with their star striker.

However, many media outlets have speculated that City would be willing to execute a trade for their other Argentinian forward, and out-of-favor Carlos Tévez may be headed to Spain this summer.

9. Karim Benzema, F, Real Madrid

Age: 24

Market-value price: £31 million or Carlos Tévez.

Karim Benzema is a quality striker who has struggled to get consistent playing time on a loaded Real Madrid roster.

Benzema has been in goal-scoring form this season and has hit the back of the net 13 times in La Liga fixtures.

But Madrid is always on the prowl for new Galácticos, and Goal.com reported that the club was willing to give up either Benzema or Gonzalo Higuaín plus €28 million in order to get Carlos Tévez.

City has done just fine this season without Tévez, and Madrid's offer will likely be too tempting to pass up this summer.

8. Eden Hazard, MF, Lille

Age: 21

Market-value price: £24 million

Eden Hazard has emerged as one of the top young footballers in Europe.

The Lille winger has used his considerable pace and skill to blow by defenders in the French Ligue 1. 

The Belgian has stated his desire to play in England and believes that the EPL's style best suits his strengths.

No Premiership club has deeper pockets than City and the team will stand a good chance to add Hazard to the roster this summer.

7. Mario Götze, MF, Borussia Dortmund

Age: 19

Market-value Price: £26.5 million

Mario Götze is the arguably the most coveted player in Europe right now, and Borussia Dortmund has asked for a king's ransom of £50 million before they part with the starlet.

While Manchester United and Arsenal have been more closely linked with the winger than Manchester City, Götze's inflated price tag may put him out of reach for more frugal clubs.

Under Sheikh Mansour's ownership, the Blues have not shown any reservations in breaking the bank during transfer season. 

At Dortmund's current asking price, City, Chelsea and Real Madrid may be the only clubs willing to pay for Götze. 

6. Thiago Silva, D, AC Milan

Age: 27

Market-value price: £28 million

Thiago Silva has established himself as one of the world's best centre-backs.

He has a rare combination of power and grace that allows him to be a fearsome tackler and an excellent distributor out of the backfield. 

His fine form while at the San Siro has attracted the attention of Barcelona, who have made him their top priority for this summer.

However, Manchester City is reportedly willing to match any offer made for the Brazilian and may steal Silva away from the Spanish giants.

5. Nicolás Gaitán, F, Benfica

Age: 23

Market-value price: £13 million

Nicolás Gaitán has shown flashes of brilliance while at Benfica, and has attracted attention from England's biggest clubs.

The Argentine's pace and touch make him a deadly attacker from the wing.

Both Manchester clubs have showed interest in Gaitán, and he looks certain to move to the EPL this summer. 

Benfica showed great foresight when they brought the winger on board, knowing they would eventually sell him to a top European club. Gaitán has a £37.5 million release clause in his contract, and either City or United will have to pick up that tab if they want his attacking talents.

4. Javi Martínez, MF, Athletic Bilbao

Age: 23

Market-value price: £17.5 million

Javi Martínez is a rising star in La Liga, and will likely leave Athletic Bilbao this summer.

The Spaniard is a tall but graceful midfielder who is solid in defense and an excellent passer.

Martínez has been in fine form this season, and Europe's top clubs have shown interest.

Barcelona and Manchester City will likely to go head-to-head over Martínez this summer. The midfielder will move to whichever club offers the bid closest to (or exceeding) the £34 million release clause in his contract. 

3. Ezequiel Lavezzi, F, Napoli

Age: 26

Market-value price: £23 million

Ezequiel Lavezzi has impressed Europe's top clubs this season with his attacking prowess.

He has few weaknesses in his game, showing elite intelligence, athleticism and skill.

The Argentine has been most linked to Manchester City and Chelsea, but Napoli insists he is not for sale.

With two of football's richest clubs drooling over the striker, Napoli stands to make a lot of money by selling Lavezzi. The Italian side may receive an offer that they cannot refuse this summer.

2. Mats Hummels, D, Borussia Dortmund

Age: 23

Market-value price: £17.5 million

Mats Hummels is one of the best defensive prospects in the world.

The Borussia Dortmund centre-back is an excellent tackler and a poised passer.

The German has stated that he has no desire to leave Dortmund, but Manchester United and Manchester City have flattered him with their interest.

The current Bundesliga leaders have several young talents that could be sold, and Hummels will attract as much attention as any of them.

1. Robin van Persie, F, Arsenal

Age: 28

Market-value price: £39.5 million

Robin van Persie has been the best player in the English Premier League this year.

He leads the Premiership with 23 goals in league fixtures and has single-handedly propped up the Arsenal attack.

His fine form has attracted attention from clubs all over the world, as Arsene Wenger is always willing to sell players if the price is right. 

Manchester City has shown interest in the Dutchman and reportedly lined up a £30 million bid for his services in December.

With every goal, van Persie's price will continue to go up, and the Blues will have to pay top dollar for the forward this summer.