Manchester City Winter Transfer News: Tracking Latest Rumours, Updates

As one of the most extravagant spenders of recent memory, it isn’t absurd to think that Manchester City will again make squad investments this January.

With the Citizens’ Champions League campaign in tatters and the League Cup chase already down the drain, Roberto Mancini’s side could make some moves in the New Year in order to build on a mixed first half to the season.

Despite the fact that there are only several months in the year where moves can officially be made, transfer speculation is a constant presence and gives an insight as to what we might see when the windows actually open.

As we edge closer to the winter edition of the transfer window, these rumours tend to take shape in terms of just how realistic they may be, with updates on players’ situations providing us with what little answers one might pounce on.

Isco

Currently flourishing in the absence of Santi Cazorla, Isco has emerged as a leading asset for Málaga in this first half of the season, earning a plethora of interest in the process.

Due to the way in the which finances are run in Spain, most La Liga clubs are having difficulty challenging with the cash-splurging ways of the Premier League’s elite, Málaga included.

The Anchovies were forced into selling several of their best player over the summer with the aforementioned Cazorla included, and Isco could be the next on the way out should the club wish to cash in on his signature.

As Goal.com reports, the Spaniard currently has a £16.9 million release clause in his contract, which will be of massive interest to a club as financially wealthy as City.

The Daily Mail suggest that the club’s newly-appointed director of football, Txiki Begiristain, has marked Isco out as his top target, seeing his younger compatriot as a future Spanish star.

The article also claims that Málaga are unsurprisingly trying to insert a higher release fee in the youngster’s contract, but should it remain at its current value, it would appear to suggest that Isco is open to a move away from the club and is within City’s reach at that.

Daniele De Rossi

Having ended their chase for the Italian stalwart last summer, reports have emerged once again in recent months claiming that Daniele De Rossi is a wanted man at the Etihad Stadium.

Roberto Mancini is a known fan of his fellow countryman and will be pleased to hear talkSPORT allege that due to a poor start to the campaign, shareholders are regretting the choice not to sell De Rossi over the summer.

With Manchester City moving in quite the opposite direction, it’s safe to say that the citizens are in a slightly better position than their Serie A counterparts and may try to take advantage of that in January.

According to the same article, Roma posted an operating loss of £47 million and, as is the case for so many European clubs of late, could be forced into selling one of their biggest assets in the New Year.

Stevan Jovetic

There may well be an already rampant wealth of striking talent at the Etihad Stadium, but that hasn’t stopped Manchester City from looking into the possibility of signing Stevan Jovetic from Fiorentina over the least year or so.

The Montenegrin international was being linked with a move to Manchester City over the summer, and according to Goal.com, the club still hold an interest in signing the forward.

Speaking to viloanews.com (h/t Sky Sports), City coach Angelo Gregucci has stated that:

"Jovetic is on our transfer list, we cannot deny it. He is a great player, but I don't know if he will wear the Manchester City shirt or not.

"City's interest in him is real, we cannot hide it."

This news comes after Fiorentina announced that Jovetic would be available to leave the club in 2013, but not before the campaign was through (via Goal.com).

With Fiorentina enjoying a decent start to the 2012-13 capaign, it’s debatable as to whether the Florence outfit will allow their asset to leave the club or not in January, but his position would appear questionable due to the fact his side are already open to the thought of Jovetic leaving.

One would have to think that were Manchester City to offer the right amount of money in the winter transfer window, Fiorentina would have to at least consider their star’s sale, regardless of how impressive he’s been this season.

Radamel Falcao

Another goal-scoring asset being linked with a move to the Etihad, Radamel Falcao is currently one of the most prolific talents in all of Europe, boasting a similar goal per game ratio as both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

With the economy as tightly balanced as it is in Spain, the Premier League has emerged as an alternative destination for some of La Liga’s stars in recent years, including David Silva, Juan Mata, Santi Cazorla, Michu and others.

Falcao appears to be no different, and the Atletico Madrid looks to be a definite target for the Citizens this January, regardless of the sheer amount of attacking talent they may already possess.

One would think that for Falcao to arrive at the club, Roberto Mancini’s side would have to sell either Mario Balotelli, Edin Dzeko or another asset as to not upset anyone too greatly.

Earlier this week, The Independent reported that Falcao was uncertain as to where his future lay, pushing the likes of Manchester City into alertness, and rightfully so.

Theo Walcott

With the winger currently in a serious case of uncertainty regarding his Arsenal future, Theo Walcott’s immediate future is up for anyone to guess as things stand.

Walcott’s current deal is set to expire next summer, prompting clubs such as Manchester City to raise interest in the Gunners forward.

BBC Sport have reported that Walcott’s situation depends on positional preference and that the former Southampton starlet is desperate to return to his former position of striker rather than out wide.

It’s arguable that Manchester City may be able to give Walcott more freedom in the role he players given the strength they possess across the field.

Of course, another aspect in which Manchester City thrive is their financial benefits, possessing the ability to be able to offer Walcott an undoubtedly more lucrative deal than the notoriously tight-pursed Arsenal.

The Gunners are allegedly beginning new contract talks with their 23-year-old attacker, but a January move for Walcott is a huge possibility for Manchester City as things stand.