Transfer rumours are coming in thick and fast as we near the end of the current campaign…
CHAMPAGNE SUPER-NOVA?
The latest of one hundred and counting new City signings is allegedly Diego Novaretti 27 years old, currently of Toluca, who is apparently one of the Mexican League’s top centre backs. Sky Sports Italia claim The Blues are ‘very close to obtaining his signature.’
Novaretti’s qualities are his consistency (which as we all know Manchester City have lacked this season) and his ability to be an aerial threat at set pieces as he stands at 6′ 4.’ Sure City have some big lads but when our ‘ground attack’ is in effect, height at corners is required, certainly the ones we float over. In terms of physical presence, Novaretti is most certainly built for the pressures of Premier League football. He is quick for a man of his height, and very much Tévez like in being tough and able to bounce straight back up after being knocked down. Looks a stong tackler, too.
But his determination to win that ball can lead and does lead to his downfall. He seems to collect yellow cards for fun. Subtlety in tackling is not his main concern. Yet I think we City fans would be pleasantly surprised if we got him. The talent level in the Mexican League is not one to be scoffed at. Watch this space and see what emerges.
Next up, Pedro Obiang, Sampdoria’s 21 years old midfielder has come to light again after lying low in the rumour in-tray. Mancio has been following his progress.
European cup finalist Marco Reus, increasingly requiring no introduction is back in the rumour frame. City are alleged to be placing an offer on the table seemingly before the end of the season. Reus is said to be a little reluctant to leave the club just a year after joining from Monchengladbach. Let’s see what a little monetary persuasion can do for the 23 year old schemer.
TA-RA FOR A BIT?
Meanwhile, members of our own squad are being pursued. We have Gael Clichy amongst others is apparantly being head hunted by Galatasaray. Clichy has 2 years left on his City contract and I get the feeling he would be against leaving as he is such a major player in the squad. Galatasaray have ideas and notions about teaming him up with Wesley Sneijder and Didier Drogba. Joleon Lescott and Kolo Touré are also on the Turkish radar. As we are all aware, Lescott and Touré’s futures are in the balance but I would suggest that Touré will lean more towards the appeal of a club like Monaco. Lescott, who has remained a consumate professional while dropping down the defensive pecking order might yet obtain a contract extension but these two might yet decide to trot off into the sunset together.
Nevermind playing for a cup final place, you have to play for your life if you don’t want to be on the ‘to go’ list following the league title loss. But we do need to off load in order to restock and some popular names will be up the road.
Time for a recap of the players who are eligible for the golden boot out of the Etihad Campus…
Edin Dzeko Dortmund? Seen as a potential replacement for Lewandowski who is off to either Bayern Munich or United. Clearly the class of 2013 treble-double winners are desperate for the Polish hotshot after failing so miserably in the Champions League themselves.
Joleon Lescott A year left on his City contract and available to leave in the summer.
Kolo Touré At the taxi rank.
Wayne Bridge Setting the world on fire on loan at Brighton.
Roque Santa Cruz Already reported is off to Botafogo and says he won’t sign a new contract at City. Cheers for that.
Richard Wright Popular around Carrington third choice ‘keeper but getting on a bit.
Maicon Says he doesn’t want to go but hasn’t really put much of an effort into this season and always seems to be off with injury. Do we want to keep players who are always injured regardless of their potential/ reputation?
Aleks Kolarov Available in the summer. I personally wouldn’t want him to go. He’s got a mean left foot.
Dedryk Boyata Not making the inroads into the first team his earlier form suggested.
Samir Nasri Supreme effort put in of late but can he keep it up? If not, PSG are there ready for him.
Scott Sinclair Shame about this lad. I think he should have been given more of a chance.
John Guidetti He seems sô eager to commit yet Mancio seems to drag his feet over ‘The Rhino.’
Gareth Barry and Carlos Tévez Even though these two are nearing the end of their contracts BOTH are seemingly keen to stay onboard. For Tévez to say that, it is brilliant. He has soooo much passion about him and this season has been a credit to Manchester City. As for Barry, to some fans he is often the unsung hero of the side. To others he has made one too many mistakes over the season and has a knack of giving the ball away.
Whilst all of the above players could join a departure list we still have a fight on our hands, according to the media frenzy, to keep a couple of our star players happy.
Captain Vincent Kompany and Kun Aguero are both said to be being pursued by Barca AND Real Madrid.
If we are to bulk up the squad, the sale of players such as Dzeko, Kolarov and Nasri would most certainly boost the funds in an effort to tempt over the likes of Edinson Cavani from Napoli.
I suggest City will target centre-backs, midfielders and a couple of forwards – the principal priority being Cavani – to bring us up to four senior strikers again which would be ideal. This is all well and good but we still seem to be forgetting wingers at City! I aired an article back in February ‘Wingers And The Fear Factor’ expressing our need for winger options, yet we still don’t seem to be pushing for them. To me, lack of width is our weakest area and one which we should really be looking at.
UPCOMING FIXTURES
all times East Manchester
Sa 04 May 15h00 Swansea, The Liberty Stadium, PL
Tu 07 May 19h45 West Brom, The Etihad, PL
Sa 11 May 17h15 Wigan Athletic, Wembley, FACF
Tu 14 May 20h00 Reading, Madejski Stadium, PL
Su 19 May 16h00 Norwich City, The Etihad, PL
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