Manchester City Transfers: 5 Players to Target Next Summer

Manchester City may be the Premier League champions and one of the richest clubs in the world, but there is always room for improvement.

A club with such resources is always going to be linked with a whole myriad of players from around the globe, even if they did only just sign half a dozen players in the last transfer window.

That clutch of new arrivals in August featured established international players and young stars whose careers are on the rise, and the mixture of names being talked about as potential future City players in the media has been much the same.

Here are five players who could be joining the Citizens come the end of the season.

Stevan Jovetic

Since missing the entire 2010-11 season due to injury, Jovetic has been one of Serie A's most exciting young players.

Last season, the Montenegrin forward scored 14 goals in 27 Serie A appearances, and he has continued that form this term with five goals in nine league games, including a match-winning brace against Udinese and a late strike at title contenders Napoli.

Last week, Sky Sports reported that City coach Angelo Gregucci confirmed that the player, who turns 23 on Friday, is one of the club's main transfer targets.

Leon Goretzka

Goretzka may be just 17 years of age and playing his first season as a professional in the German second division with VfL Bochum, but that has not kept top clubs from all over Europe from scouting him.

The versatile midfielder has played just 10 games for Bochum this season, but his multiple appearances at all youth levels for the national team have drawn plenty of admirers to watch him play. Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Arsenal are among those said to be interested in him.

City do a nice line in blockbusting transfers, but if they can find a young gem like Goretzka and turn him into a star themselves, then club's long-term future will look better.

Benat Etxebarria

Real Betis currently sit fifth in La Liga after a fine start to the season, and a key component of the Andalucian side's fortunes has been the contribution of midfielder Benat.

The former Athletic Bilbao youth product has already registered four league assists this term. One more, and he will match his haul for the whole of last season. 

According to Goal.com, City's new sporting director Txiki Begiristain is ready to make the 25-year-old free-kick specialist his first target should talks over a new deal to replace his current one break down.

Theo Walcott

After Walcott scored a hat-trick in Tuesday's insane 7-5 win over Reading in the Capital One Cup, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger called for the forward to sort out his future at the club by Christmas, as reported by ESPN.

Walcott's contract runs out at the end of the current season, and he will be free to negotiate with foreign clubs over a transfer come the turn of the year.

However, if Walcott does not sign a deal to move abroad or sign a new contract at Arsenal, City would be a highly desirable destination for the England international come the summer.

Sergio Busquets

Luring Busquets being away from Barcelona, the club where he has spent his entire career and where he and his father have won European Cups, seems unimaginable, but that is what City reportedly want to do.

Reuniting Busquets with former Barca teammate Yaya Toure is at the forefront of City boss Roberto Mancini's mind, according to the Mirror.

There is little doubt that the 24-year-old would be a world-class anchor for a City midfield packed with attacking talent, but Manchester will have a job on their hands convincing both the player and his current club to make the deal happen.