Manchester City Transfers: 10 Big Names Linked to City in the Gossip Columns

Can you feel it? January is coming!

We're close to December now, which means the rumour mill is about to explode.

Critically, this season precedes the Euro 2012 finals, meaning any players not happy and looking to get a shot at representing their nation this summer will push for a move.

January is not often a time to make significant additions to your squad and more a time to do some spring cleaning.

Manchester City seem intent on bucking the trend once more however, and here is a list of top players linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium this winter.

Alessio Cerci

Once seen as a top target for Roberto Mancini, Alessio Cerci has been described as a truly special player.

Although City's overtures know almost no limits, Cerci himself has admitted he'd like to stay in Serie A for the time being.

He is talented winger who is currently starring for Italian side Fiorentina, but a move to the Premier League looks to be on hold for now.

Daniele De Rossi

Daniele De Rossi will be the top target for many Manchester City fans this January and the once highly touted transfer now looks a tough one to pull off.

De Rossi is a Roman and is reluctant to leave his boyhood club. The contract negotiations have been stalling for some time but you get the impression it will be very hard to convince him his future lies elsewhere.

Then again, you should never underestimate the human inclination to move for money.

Yann M'vila

Yann M'vila will be hot property this summer and Manchester City have made their interest public.

Patrick Vieira, sitting cosy in his new director role at the Etihad Stadium, has admitted City will be showing an interest in the talented French midfielder. 

He is unlikely to move before Euro 2012, although it would take a dramatic dip in form for his place to be jeopardised in Laurent Blanc's team.

Josiah Chukwudi

OK, so not every single slide contains a big name. But this one is interesting nonetheless.

A complete unknown, Josiah Chukwudi is an unattached 15-year-old midfielder interesting plenty of Premier League clubs.

According to Sky Sports, Manchester City, QPR, Tottenham and Everton amongst many more are checking in on him.

Javi Martinez

The Daily Mail is also adamant that Manchester City are taking the talents of Javi Martinez into account when looking at ways to bolster their midfield.

A whopping £34 million will be needed to prise him away from current club Athletic Bilbao thanks to a release clause being inserted into his new contract.

He's certainly a solid option who works hard and plays for the team. 

Thiago Silva

A link to truly whet the appetite of Manchester City fans is one to formidable centre-half Thiago Silva.

Italian sources love to speculate on Roberto Mancini and who his latest Serie A swoop will be.

Thiago Silva, AC Milan's world-class defender, could be on the shopping list and represents a move that could well wrap up a potential title-winning season.

Kevin Strootman

Kevin Strootman, Holland's resident team-hopper, could be set for another move as Manchester City and Real Madrid set their sights on the young sensation. 

According to talkSPORT, the PSV Eindhoven player is worth around £18 million and would be willing to make the next move having established himself in a quality Holland national team.

Christian Eriksen

Christian Eriksen is another who has, for now at least, shrugged off the interest of Manchester City.

The 19-year-old Danish attacking midfielder is currently plying his trade with Ajax, sufficiently impressing scouts all over the world with his playmaking abilities.

He has stated, however, that he would like to play first-team football at every turn in his career. He is currently not interested in bench-warming for the biggest clubs in Europe.

His situation will likely be reassessed at the end of the current season.

The Napoli Trio

The famous Napoli trio are never far from the headlines when it comes to transfer speculation and with Manchester City there was no chance these three wouldn't get a link.

Marek Hamsik, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Edinson Cavani are all options for the big clubs and they will eventually be plucked from Naples for the right price.

If City feel the need to enter the market and replace the potentially outbound Carlos Tevez, Cavani or Lavezzi would serve as an excellent replacement.

Eden Hazard

Who else?

Eden Hazard will be the biggest transfer this season, whether it happens in January or June.

If Lille set a price for him, there will be tonnes of clubs interested in him despite the probable £30 million fee that will be slapped on.

Manchester City have the resources, the ambition and the wherewithal to lure him in and what a statement it would be.