Manchester City Transfer News: Tracking Latest Rumors, Updates

After Saturday's thrilling Champions League final, it certainly does seem like an eternity since Manchester City wrestled the Premier League title from the hands of their cross-town rivals, Manchester United.

But make no mistake, the Blue Moon has risen, and all eyes will be on City as they attempt to go further than domestic honors next season.

Which means we can all expect activity at the Etihad Stadium this summer. Roberto Mancini has only gone ahead and admitted as much.

Now let’s take a look at the latest round of Manchester City-related gossip.

Adam Johnson

Let’s start first with potential departures.

Given Adam Johnson’s inability to hold onto a regular first-team spot, he’s been rumored for an exit for a while.

Now that he’s missed out on Roy Hodgson’s Euro 2012 England squad, the Daily Mirror says that he’s fast becoming disillusioned with life on the City bench.

Which opens the door for many Premier League suitors for a £10 million switch.

Sergio Aguero

Yup, Sergio Aguero, the scorer of that late league-winning goal last Sunday, is being linked with a move away.

To none other than Real Madrid, eternal rivals of his former club Atletico Madrid.

There’s no concrete source quoted in this Daily Mirror article, but apparently Jose Mourinho and co. are preparing £50 million to sign Diego Maradona’s son-in-law.

That would certainly bolster City’s coffers ahead of UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Now for potential arrivals, which, in the case of AC Milan’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic, might involve potential departures as well.

The Manchester Evening News suggests that Roberto Mancini is considering shipping off Carlos Tevez or Mario Balotelli, both of whom have caused their fair share of controversy this season, to Milan, in an attempt to bring Swedish giant Ibrahimovic to City.

Mancini has managed Ibrahimovic when they were both at Inter Milan, and he’ll be hoping Ibrahimovic can continue his hot streak of winning titles with every club he’s been at.

Robin van Persie

Arsenal’s bid to keep captain and star striker Robin van Persie looks to have hit some fairly sizeable rocks as talks on a new contract have stalled, as reported by the Daily Mail.

Not helping the situation is ex-Gunners legend Patrick Vieira, now football development executive at Manchester City, who has been making noises about bringing Van Persie to the Etihad, according to the Daily Mirror.

Given City’s financial muscle, they’d certainly be able to outgun the likes of Manchester United, Juventus and now Anzhi Makhachkala in the race for this season’s top Premier League scorer.

Fernando Llorente

Also on City’s shopping list of world-class strikers is Athletic Bilbao’s Fernando Llorente.

According to the Metro, there is apparently a £28 million release clause in Llorente’s contract that Mancini would like to take advantage of.

Llorente’s demolition of the Manchester United defence in the Europa League this season will certainly endear him to the City faithful quickly enough.

Alberto Aquilani

Yup, you read that right.

Apparently, Liverpool’s Alberto Aquilani, who spent the season on loan at AC Milan, is so desperate to quit Anfield that he would consider a cut-price deal to City, according to the Metro.

An Italian international for £4 million?

Actually, that might actually turn out to be a decent bargain on City’s part—and a terrible, terrible financial decision by Liverpool.

Eden Hazard

5/28: Chelsea have agreed on a move for Eden Hazard. The transfer fee will be £32m. He will sign afive‑year deal worth £100,000 a week.

And now for the headline-grabber that is Eden Hazard.

Following his admission that he will be wearing a blue shirt in the Premier League (the Guardian), and then that he will be in Manchester next season (ESPN), the only possible destination should have been Manchester City.

But the Telegraph have revealed that it is actually Chelsea who might end up signing Hazard this summer. And Manchester United shouldn’t be ruled out just yet, as suggested by the Daily Mail.

This will definitely be the most interesting transfer saga of the summer. Let’s just hope it doesn’t become too redundant and annoying.

If you liked this article, you might also be interested in 5 Positions City Must Strengthen This Summer. Please also check out my writer’s profile, where you can find more of my work, and my blog, The Red Armchair, for Liverpool opinions and match reactions.