Manchester City to launch mega bid for Zlatan Ibrahimovic as Mario Balotelli arrives
With just over two weeks until the transfer window slams shut, Manchester City show no signs of tightening their purse strings.
Barcelona’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic is reportedly still very much on Roberto Mancini’s most wanted list, and if the rumours are to be believed, the Premier League’s big spenders will offer him an unprecedented four-year contract worth an astronomical £96 million.
If that wasn’t dizzying enough, Mancini is also poised to sign long-term targets Mario Balotelli, who arrives in Manchester today for a medical, and James Milner from Inter Milan and Aston Villa respectively. However, with regards to Milner, much depends on Stephen Ireland, who wants a £2 million payout to join the Villains.
It doesn’t stop there, either. City are also keen to land Benfica’s highly-rated defender David Luiz, who is thought to command a transfer fee in the region of £27 million. Fortunately for the Citizens, money doesn’t appear to be too much of an issue.
A rare opportunity to recoup some money does appear to have arisen, though. Unsettled Brazilian, Robinho, is expected to leave the City of Manchester Stadium this summer; and the club are in negotiations with two unnamed clubs over a £20 million-plus move.
Another player who is expected to leave Eastlands before the transfer window closes is Craig Bellamy. Despite impressing last season, the Welshman is not in Mancini’s first-team plans for the forthcoming campaign, and a host of clubs including Tottenham, Fulham, Everton, Sunderland, Celtic and Newcastle United are all closely monitoring the situation.
Meanwhile, West Ham will sign Manchester City’s out-of-favour striker Felipe Caicedo on a season-long loan. The 21-year-old will be looking to revive his career at Upton Park.
If he does move, then Caicedo will team up with Hammers’ captain Scott Parker, whose future has been the subject of much speculation over recent weeks. But it now seems that the 29-year-old will sign a new contract after his club refused to entertain an offer from Spurs.
West Ham manager Avram Grant is also looking at former Middlesbrough striker Jeremie Aliadiere, who has gone to east London on trial, and the Isreali manager is also considering a bid for FC Twente’s Cheik Tiote.
Elsewhere, Manchester United are expected to miss out on Werder Bremen midfielder Mesut Ozil, despite Sir Alex Ferguson confirming his interest in the Germany international.
And Tottenham are weighing up a bid for Aston Villa winger Ashley Young if they fail to land Bellamy, although it’s believed that Young would cost up to £20 million.
Arsenal are still in hot pursuit of Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, and have also been linked to Lyon’s exciting Brazilian winger Michel Bastos.
Sunderland are weighing up moves for Wigan Athletic’s wantaway winger Charles N’Zogbia and Rennes striker Asamoah Gyan.
Tags: