Realistic Transfer Targets for Manchester City
Manchester City have been busy flexing their financial muscle in the transfer market, but have we reached the end of their summer spending spree?
The Citizens continue to be linked to incoming players, despite having already spent upwards of ยฃ90 million in the summer window.
Fernandinho and Jesus Navas joined the side in June and Alvaro Negredo and Stevan Jovetic became the clubโs most recent signings, joining for ยฃ20 million and ยฃ22 million, respectively, as seen on the BBC Sport website.
Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain have acted fast, allaying any residual fears that the clubโs fans may have had from this time last yearโwhen City failed to secure any high-profile signings.
But do the Sky Blues still need to bring in additional recruits? The club have been linked with a string of high-profile names. Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been rumoured with a move, according to the Daily Mail's Graeme Yorke. ย
Even the largely speculation-proof Lionel Messi has been mentioned in gossip related to Sheikh Mansourโs side, as reported by the Manchester Evening News.ย
But what about those players who stand a realistic chance of joining City? Below, I examine two rumoured targets who could be genuine contenders for joining the club ahead of the 2013-14 season.
Eduardo Salvio
Manchester City have tabled a bid of ยฃ25.8 million for Benficaโs Eduardo Salvio, according to the Independentโs Ian Herbert.
Similar in style to the recently acquired Jesus Navas, the right-winger scored 10 Primeira Liga goals in 29 appearances for the Lisbon side last season and created eight assists.
Nicknamed "Toto," the 23-year-old also has European experience under his belt, with five Champions League and eight Europa League games registered in 2012-13.
Salvio began his career in his native Argentina with Club Atletico Lanus and signed for Atletico Madrid in 2010.
He made 69 appearances for the La Liga side and won two Europa League titles during his time at the Vicente Calderon.
When Salvio transferred to Benfica last summer, after a successful loan spell, he broke the clubโs record transfer fee when he signed for โฌ13.5 million.
He has made five appearances for the Argentina national team and is reportedly being tracked by Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas, according to Jamie Sanderson in Metro.ย
Earlier this month, Salvio's agent Agustin Jimenez told Portuguese newspaper O Jogo, via skysports.com:
"There is interest out there this summer from clubs in England and Italy and I believe they have had contact with Benfica.ย After a big season it is normal that significant clubs will be interested. Now the decision is in the hands of Benfica.ย Salvio is content at the club but he is open to the possibility of a move.
"
Benfica are understood to be asking ยฃ34.4 million for Salvio, but according to the Independent, a compromise is likely.
With Jesus Navas, Samir Nasri, James Milner and Scott Sinclair all able to play in the same position, Salvio would have lots of competition for a starting berth in the side.
However, with rumours from Nick Lustig in the Daily Star linking Sinclair with a switch to Everton, this could pave the way for Pellegrini to bring Salvio into the club.ย
Pepe
If rumours are to be believed, Manchester City are lining up a bid to bring Real Madridโs Pepe to the Etihad this summer.
According to various reports, including this piece by Lee Roden on talkSPORT, Manuel Pellegrini is keen on signing the 30-year-old.
The pair have worked together in the past, during the Chilean's year in charge at the Bernabeu.
Pepe has fallen down the pecking order at Real Madrid, due to the emergence of 20-year-old Raphael Varane.
And, despite news that Joleon Lescott looks likely to extend his current contract with City, Pepe could still be on his way to the club, as seen in Simon Jones' article in theย Daily Mail.ย
A fee in the region of ยฃ20 million seems a little steep for a 30-year-old defender, but Pepe would bring a wealth of experience to the side.
If Pellegrini really wants to make an assault in Europe, Pepe would be a good candidate to partner with Vincent Kompany in central defence.ย
With over 40 Champions League appearances for Real Madrid alone, Pepe would be a more obvious choice to boss the backline in big games, ahead of Lescott and Matija Nastasic.
There is a flip side to Pepeโs character, which he is known all too well for. With a history of ill discipline, heโs a fiery character whose reckless challenges and shows of dissent often make him a risk for receiving cards and suspensions.
He may have his flaws, but Real Madridโs No. 3 is a tried and tested playerโexperienced in the Primeira Liga, La Liga, in European competition and international football.
There aren't many defenders on the market with a CV like Pepeโs.
Realistic Transfer Targets for Manchester City
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Manchester City have been busy flexing their financial muscle in the transfer market, but have we reached the end of their summer spending spree?
ย
The Citizens continue to be linked to incoming players, despite having already spent upwards of ยฃ90 million in the summer window.
ย
Fernandinho and Jesus Navas joined the side in June and Alvaro Negredo and Stevan Jovetic became the clubโs most recent signings, joining for ยฃ20 million and ยฃ22 million, respectively, as seen on the BBC Sport website.
ย
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23376292 negredo
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23369164 jovetic
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Ferran Sorriano and Txiki Begiristain have acted fast, allaying any residual fears that the clubโs fans may have had from this time last yearโwhen City failed to secure any high-profile signings.
ย
But do the Sky Blues still need to bring in additional recruits? The club have been linked with a string of high-profile names. Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been rumoured with a move, according to the Daily Mail. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2361981/Manchester-City-consider-stunning-bid-PSGs-Zlatan-Ibrahimovic.html ย
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Even the largely speculation-proof Lionel Messi has been mentioned in gossip related to Sheikh Mansourโs side, as reported by the Manchester Evening News. http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/gossip-city-monitoring-messi-situation-5161029
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But what about those players who stand a realistic chance of joining City. Below, I examine two rumoured targets who could be genuine contenders for joining the club ahead of the 2013/14 season.
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Eduardo Salvio
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zX5iE8d7hv8
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Manchester City have tabled a bid of ยฃ25.8 million for Benficaโs Eduardo Salvio, according to the Independentโs Ian Herbert.
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Similar in style to the recently acquired Jesus Navas, the right-winger scored 10 Primeira Liga goals in 29 appearances for the Lisbon side last season and created eight assists.
ย
Nicknamed โToto,โ the 23-year-old also has European experience under his belt, with five Champions League and eight Europa League games registered in 2012/13.
ย
Salvio began his career in his native Argentina with Club Atletico Lanus and signed for Atletico Madrid in 2010.
ย
He made 69 appearances for the La Liga side and won two Europa League titles during his time at the Vicente Calderon.
ย
When Salvio transferred to Benfica last summer, after a successful loan spell, he broke the clubโs record transfer fee when he signed for โฌ13.5 million.
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He has made five appearances for the Argentina national team and is reportedly being tracked by Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas, according to Jamie Sanderson in Metro. http://metro.co.uk/2013/07/19/tottenham-ready-to-battle-manchester-city-for-benfica-star-eduardo-salvio-3890327/
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Earlier this month, Salvioโs agent Agustin Jimenez told O Jogo via skysports.com: "There is interest out there this summer from clubs in England and Italy and I believe they have had contact with Benfica.
"After a big season it is normal that significant clubs will be interested. Now the decision is in the hands of Benfica.
"Salvio is content at the club but he is open to the possibility of a move."
ย
Benfica are understood to be asking ยฃ34.4 million for Salvio but according to the Independent, a compromise is likely.
ย
ย
With Jesus Navas, Samir Nasri, James Milner and Scott Sinclair all able to play in the same position, Salvio would have lots of competition for a starting berth in the side.
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However, with rumours from Nick Lustig in the Daily Star linking Sinclair with a switch to Everton, this could pave the way for Pellegrini to bring Salvio into the club. http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/328046/Everton-to-move-for-Manchester-City-misfit-Scott-Sinclair
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Pepe
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If rumours are to be believed, Manchester City are lining up a bid to bring Real Madridโs Pepe to the Etihad this summer.
ย
According to various reports, including this piece by Lee Roden on talkSPORT, Pellegrini is keen on signing the 30-year-old.
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ย
The pair have worked together in the past, during Pellegriniโs year in charge at the Bernabeu.
ย
And Pepe has fallen down the pecking order at Real Madrid, due to the emergence of 20-year-old Raphael Varane.
ย
And, despite news that Joleon Lescott looks likely to extend his current contract with City, Pepe could still be on his way to the club.
ย
Daily Mail http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2366307/Manchester-City-set-new-Pepe-bid.html
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A fee in the region of ยฃ20 million seems a little steep for a 30-year-old defender but Pepe would bring a wealth of experience to the side.
ย
If Pellegrini really wants to make an assault in Europe, Pepe would be a good candidate to partner Vincent Kompany in central defence.ย
ย
With over 40 Champions League appearances for Real Madrid alone, Pepe would be a more obvious choice to boss the backline in big games, ahead of Lescott and Matija Nastasic.
ย
There is a flipside to Pepeโs character, which he is known all-too-well for. With a history of ill discipline, heโs a fiery character whose reckless challenges and shows of dissent often make him a risk for receiving cards and suspensions.
ย
He may have his flaws but Real Madridโs No. 3 is a tried and tested playerโexperienced in the Primeira Liga, La Liga, in European competition and international football.
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There arenโt many defenders on the market at the moment with a CV like Pepeโs.
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Want to keep up to date with all the latest transfer news? Keep checking back to Bleacher Report for breaking transfer stories!
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