Manchester City Transfer Rumours: Serie A Players to Find a Home in City
Roberto Mancini and the Citizens made some noise this season in a very successful 2010-2011 campaign, finishing third in the standings and tied in points with second place Chelsea. City qualified for a spot in the UEFA Champions League and are current FA Cup Champions.
Mancini knows he has a lot to build off, but after the major signings across the English Premier League, the head boss knows that he will need to step up and make some deals, especially if their main striker Carlos Tevez leaves. Tevez has expressed that he wants to leave City and had requested a transfer in January, but ended up staying through the summer. According to http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2011/06/05/2518574/manchester-city-striker-carlos-tevez-sheikh-mansour-said-i, club owner Sheikh Mansour has told Tevez "to do whatever [he needs] to be happy."
To the detriment of City faithful, defender Jerome Boateng has confirmed he will be leaving Eastlands and heading back to Germany with Bayern Munich. According to http://sport.uk.msn.com/football/news/articles.aspx?cp-documentid=158231755, Boateng told ESPN Soccernet staff, "It is true that I have agreed with Bayern on a four-year deal. Now it is up to Manchester to make it work."
These two losses could hurt the Citizens, but Mancini plans to make a few moves to help bolster the Manchester City offense and not lose a step come next season.
Alexis Sanchez: Udinese
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Alexis Sanchez is being sought out by all the top clubs in Europe. It looks as if the 22-year-old Chilean winger may be heading to Eastlands. According to http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/928130/udinese-owner-talks-up-man-city's-interest-in-alexis-sanchez?cc=5901, Manchester City has moved up to the top spot on the list, ahead of the likes of Inter, Juventus, and Barcelona.
Udinese President Gianpaolo Pozzo recently said that the right deal has not come in for Sanchez, but that City looks poised to strike for the youngster. There were reports in recent weeks that the winger was priced at around £27 million, but now it looks like it may be more in the range of £35 million.
It seems that Manchester City can outbid just about anyone for certain players due to their deep pockets, so the fact that Sanchez' fee may have gone up is not too much of a road block for Mancini. Sanchez' skill along with his speed have made him a fruitful transfer that only City can hope to land.
Marek Hamsik: Napoli
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According to http://www.footylatest.com/man-city-ready-to-spend-big-to-get-their-man-from-serie-a/22699, Roberto Mancini has found another way to throw around big money. It has been reported that Manchester City is set to make a run at Napoli central midfielder, Marek Hamsik.
Hamsik looks to be a very prominent player for Roberto Mancini with Tevez no longer in the club's future. The 23-year-old Slovakian captain would be brought in to help foster a more consistent scoring product in the Man City offensive end, now that Tevez will not be there for goal production. Hamsik will be the facilitator to find others and will have a few go's himself.
It has also been reported that AC Milan might be looking at Hamsik, but at a price tag over £30 million, it seems City are the frontrunners for his signature.
Ezequiel Lavezzi: Napoli
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It seems Mancini has found quite an interest in Italian club Napoli, as he interested in yet another of its players, this time a possible replacement for Carlos Tevez. According to http://www.footylatest.com/man-city-move-closer-to-signing-argentinian-hit-man/22743, City is looking to go after Argentine striker Ezequiel Lavezzi.
As I have said before, Mancini is very adamant about bringing more firepower to Eastlands and the 26-year-old looks to be on the move. Lavezzi was not stellar with Napoli in averaging a goal every five games, but with the talent around him, the striker may be poised for a break-out year.
Lavezzi is priced at £18 million, which seems a bit high because, well, it is high. But try telling that to Manchester City, who are known for their ruthlessly deep pockets and tendency to overpay players. This could be another example of such an act.
Javier Pastore: Palermo
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The Italian boss, Roberto Mancini, seems to have an affinity for Argentinean footballers, as the latest transfer rumor to come across my desk is that of Argentine attacking midfielder, Javier Pastore. Pastore is the latest midfielder to capture the ire of City where they, along with Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Barcelona, are all gunning for his signature.
Pastore fits the mold that Mancini is going after: playmaker. The 22-year-old is a highly-touted midfielder who has an exceptional football IQ and tremendous vision. However, one of the main problems for a normal club (not a problem for City) is the price tag. According to http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/06/14/2531752/manchester-city-chelsea-target-javier-pastore-valued-at-more, Palermo Chairman Maurizio Zamparini has put the price tag for Pastore's service at more than £44 million.
Palermo rejected an earlier City bid for Pastore at around £30 million, but now with the price tag set and the deep pockets that run through Eastlands, Pastore is a very attainable target. He could have immediate impact.
Considering the variety of rumors surrounding midfielders who could be signed by City, it will be interesting to see who will actually be signed. Manchester City is always good for a rumor as well as an overpriced contract, but I do expect Mancini to sign a couple big names in the next couple weeks.
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