Manchester City: 6 Big-Name Targets for Roberto Mancini on Transfer Deadline Day

Samir Nasri’s transfer seems to be the final link in Manchester City’s attacking department.

The French winger contributed three assists in his Manchester City debut, forming a menacing quartet alongside David Silva, Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko.

Despite Roberto Mancini’s ominous attacking options, the Italian manager cannot be entirely satisfied with the three goals his team have conceded this season, all of them coming entirely against the run of play.

Given Italy’s preference for a defensive style of football, Mancini may be tempted to add a fresh face to his defensive department to prevent goals being needlessly conceded.

This slideshow will look at rumours and make informed speculation about players that Mancini may want to look at as a piece of deadline day business. 

Owen Hargreaves

Manchester City’s fortune has unsurprisingly seen them become linked with almost every half decent footballer in world football.

What may come as a surprise are reports that Roberto Mancini is considering taking a risk on the fitness of former Bayern Munich and Manchester United midfielder, Owen Hargreaves.

If he was to follow his interest, Hargreaves would be available on a free transfer.

The Canadian-born England international’s talent is obvious; the problem is too many question marks surround his fitness.

Former teammate Wayne Rooney has spoken in support of Hargreaves potential transfer to Manchester City. In an interview with BBC Sport, Rooney said: “He is a nice lad, who has worked extremely hard to try and get back playing. Obviously, I wish him luck, and I hope he gets back playing.”

“When he is fully fit, he is a great player,” he added.

Manchester City duo Joleon Lescott and Joe Hargreaves have also spoken in favour of Hargreaves rumoured transfer to the Etihad Stadium.

"Owen Hargreaves has done great for Bayern Munich," said Hart.

"He has struggled a bit since he came to Manchester United but that is not down to ability, just his fitness. If he can get himself fit and does sign for Manchester City, it can only be a positive."

If he were to sign for City it would add some defensive solidity to a side which has been boosted by the arrivals of striker Sergio Aguero and forward Samir Nasri this summer.

Lescott added: "Owen is an experienced player, he has played in the Champions League, is an international. It is only going to be good for the City squad if he signs.

"People ask if it represents a gamble but the club know what they are doing; Owen knows what he is doing. He is still a good player.

"If we can get him fit, I'm sure it won't be very long before he is back to his best. He will be a player with a point to prove after his injuries."

Gary Cahill

Despite Bolton’s refusal to accept Arsenal’s £6 million bid for the England international, Owen Coyle has been resigned to losing his talismanic defender for much of the transfer window.

The twenty-five-year-old Centre Back was a pillar of Bolton's impressive Premier League last season, but has now entered the final year of his contract.

Cahill started 36 of Bolton's league matches last season, scoring three goals, earning seven yellow cards and a single red.

 Ashley Young, Fernando Torres and Danny Murphy surprisingly amassed more bookings over the course of the season than Cahill.

The 2008-09 player of the year for Bolton is a rock in defence, capable of consistently executing well timed tackles, winning headers and out muscling strikers for the ball. His style of football would see him link up well with Kompany in the centre of defence, should Mancini want to invest in his talents.

His ability has seen him leap frog Ryan Shawcross for a place in the England lineup and has seen him attract interest from Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham this transfer window.

He is also capable of scoring goals, having scored 12 so far in 114 appearances for Bolton.

Mark Van Bommel

Mark Van Bommel has claimed that the Citizens approached him last week to discuss a potential transfer, but the AC Milan defender has so far refused to even answer a phone call.

According to Voetbal International, AC Milan will not sell the Dutch international under any circumstances, although if City were to truly exert the full extents of their financial power, it will be interesting to see how Milan reacts.

A spokesman commented: '”They are with the problem that they will be without Yaya Touré due to the African Cup.

“In addition, they also know that Mark van Bommel constitutes an excellent torque with Nigel de Jong. Hence they played with him again."

Fernando Gago

If media rumours are anything to go by, it seems a distinct certainty that Roberto Mancini is hoping to bolster his defensive options in the Manchester City midfield.

Fernando Gago is the latest player in that position to be linked to Manchester City.

 The Sun has recently reported that the Citizens are interested in signing Real Madrid midfielder Fernando Gago.

The Argentine international has long been linked with a move away from the Bernabeau after finding it difficult to consistently break into Los Meringues first team.

According to the report, Gago’s transfer could cost as little as £10 million.

Sky Sports however reports that the twenty-five-year-old has snubbed a transfer to England. Instead he will choose to join Roma on a season-long loan.

The deal is yet to be finalised, meaning that there is still a chance for the Citizens to gazump the transfer.

Daniele De Rossi

Perhaps the most lucrative speculation from the past weeks back pages has been a report in the Metro that Roberto Mancini is hoping to sign Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi.

Now that the Samir Nasri transfer saga has concluded, Mancini wants to add more brawn into the City midfield.

The Metro quotes Mancini saying: “I need something else in midfield because we have limited options.”

“Daniele De Rossi would be absolutely perfect for this team and I rate him as one of the best midfielders in the world. “

“But I also have the suspicion that he will stay in Rome his entire career, just like Francesco Totti has done.

M’Baye Niang

At sixteen years of age, M’Baye Niang is making a big name for himself in France.

The French youth international has already cemented a position in Caen’s first team, scoring three goals in his seven appearances to date.

Niang has primarily been subject to the gaze of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, but the Daily Mail reports that Manchester City could offer £10 million to secure the services of the youngster.