Cristian Zapata attracts interest from Manchester City
It has been reported that Premier League big-spenders Manchester City are willing to splash some cash to acquire the services of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Cristian-c9491 Zapata.
The Colombia international is currently in the form of his life at Udinese and has become an integral part of the side that is aiming to qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the 2011-12 season. Along with the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alexis-Sánchez-c4979, the
Colombian is attracting interest from a host of Italian, Spanish and English clubs. With Sanchez already under City’s radar, it seems that the cash-laden club is willing to splash an audacious bid for the man from Colombia as soon as the summer transfer window
opens.
Juventus, AC Milan, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Inter-c39567 Milan, Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Manchester City and Real Madrid are all interested in bringing in the player. However, it seems that Udinese will be reluctant to let go of their prized assets but a bid close to 15 or 17 million Euros
may attract Udinese.
Zapata’s agent Massimo Italiani said recently that Manchester City are very much interested in signing the influential defender but he said that the player would want to move to a club where he is guaranteed first team football and a chance to play in the
Champions League on a regular basis.
According to rumours, Manchester City tabled a 9-million-Euro offer for the Colombian in 2010 but the bid was rejected because of City’s low valuation and also because Udinese wanted to hold on to the player until at least the end of the ongoing 2010-11
season.
The 24-year-old Colombian started his footballing career at local side http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Deportivo-Cali-c38921 in 2004 but a year later, he was signed by Udinese where he has now played over 150 games and has scored 5 goals. The youngster was the part of the Colombian Under-20 side
at the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship where http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Argentina-c2841 in the pre-quarterfinals.
The youngster can play as a full back and as a centre back, something that is the mark of a great defender and the reason why many teams are chasing his signature.
It is not certain if he will leave Udinese in the summer. If Udinese are able to qualify for the UEFA Champions League or even Europe, the youngster may choose to stay at the club for another season which will be a great boost for the club that is looking
to break into the top four.
Currently, Udinese are in 5th place in the Serie A standings with 47 points, just one behind 4th placed http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lazio-c39775.
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