5 Feasible Summer Destinations for Manchester City Forward Stevan Jovetic

Of all the transfers Manchester City have completed in recent seasons, few were seen as more exciting than the capture of Stevan Jovetic from Fiorentina in the summer of 2013.

Jovetic appeared to fit the bill nicely. He was young, highly rated after a successful period at one of Serie A’s most respected clubs and with a point to prove. Injuries had held him back somewhat, and the move to City was supposed to be the catalyst for him to prove once and for all that he can consistently show his ability and become one of the best forward players in Europe.

That simply hasn’t happened. A series of muscle injuries ruined his first season at the club. He showed flashes of his ability on his fleeting appearances, which whetted the appetite of the City supporters, but his impact was reduced considerably because of the number of games he missed.

He played just 13 times in the league, scoring 3 goals—nowhere near a large-enough sample to judge him properly.

This season has seen him available much more often, but when he has been given opportunities, he has underwhelmed. It’s become increasingly obvious he struggles to play as an out-and-out striker, preferring instead to drop deep and play between the lines. The problem for him is that City are blessed with an array of players better suited to the No. 10 role than he is, and, therefore, his purpose in the squad has been questioned.

Which has culminated in his omission from City’s Champions League squad, a clear statement from Manuel Pellegrini that he is surplus to requirements. With Wilfried Bony arriving for an initial £23 million, someone was going to miss out when Pellegrini resubmitted his final squad list for the competition. It was Jovetic, a situation that has clearly upset the forward.

A summer exit seems almost certain. But where will he go? Here, we take a look at five possible destinations for the Montenegrin.

1. Juventus

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The ideal scenario for City would to offload Jovetic to Juventus, using him as a makeweight in a deal to bring Paul Pogba to the club. Pogba, Juve’s French midfielder, is likely to emerge as City’s top transfer target this summer, especially given the poor form of Ross Barkley, a player Everton are likely to slap a huge price tag on.

Jovetic’s stock in Serie A remains high after his spell in Florence, and he knows Italian football well. The style appears to suit him and a move back is likely to tempt him.

2. Inter Milan

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Roberto Mancini’s arrival at Inter Milan earlier this season was supposed to reinvigorate the club. As yet, it’s a project which has failed to really materialise.

The new manager tried to add some firepower, bringing in Lukas Podolski from Arsenal, but it hasn’t worked out. Perhaps they could be tempted to move for Jovetic.

The problem City face is the likelihood that chairmen of potential suitors will look to drive the price down based on Jovetic’s poor injury record. It’s an easy case to make. Italian clubs, notorious for trying to put in place complicated payment plans that stagger the outlay of money on a player, will be sensing an opportunity to get a decent player on the cheap.

3. Liverpool

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In terms of Premier League clubs, Liverpool appears to be the most likely destination. Brendan Rodgers places huge faith in young players with technical skill, shown by the speed with which has integrated both Raheem Sterling and Jordon Ibe into his first-team plans, and he may well see the quality Jovetic has as something he can work with. He may be 25, but many see Jovetic as an unfulfilled talent.

The problem may be the number of attacking options Liverpool have already. Unless they offload a player, likely to be Mario Balotelli who has frustrated since his move from AC Milan this summer, there may simply be no room for Jovetic.

4. Atletico Madrid

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Perhaps a new challenge is what Jovetic needs, with a move to La Liga a possibility.

According to Ben Jefferson writing in the Express, City could offer Jovetic to Atletico Madrid in the hope of luring Koke (pictured) to Manchester.

Indeed, Spanish football may suit Jovetic. It’s a technical game and less reliant on explosive pace, a mix which may lend itself nicely to his attributes.

5. Fiorentina

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Or is the best thing for Jovetic to resurrect his career with a move back to familiar surroundings? He was adored at Fiorentina, starting over 100 league games and bringing flair to the side before his move to City.

Some say returning to a former club rarely works, but this may be one case where it suits all concerned.