Manchester City bucked their usual trend of throwing cash around like it’s going out of fashion over the summer, with FFP worries seeming to have hit home at the Etihad Stadium. Okay, there were still big money arrivals, such as Eliaquim Mangala, but Manuel Pellegrini was forced to use a sensible approach to transfers.
Even with this new found frugality, there may be temptations to make at least once significant purchase in January, with a host of Europe’s top names eager to sign some of City’s stars, which could boost the club’s coffers.
Here are FIVE players for the Citizens to consider in the New Year as they look to cement their status as English football’s top dogs…
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Edinson Cavani
With Alvaro Negredo out of the door at City, a new striker to challenge Edin Dzeko, Sergio Aguero and Stevan Jovetic could tempt Pellegrini, who is understood to have made moves for Radamel Falcao before the transfer window closed. Cavani has been disgruntled at PSG for a while after being forced into a wide position, but he could flourish in the Sky Blues’ front two.
He won’t come cheap, but there could be the possibility of a loan deal with a view to a big purchase when the season ends.
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Marco Reus
With Reus’ £20m release clause set to kick in next summer, there is the possibility that an offer of slightly above that figure will be accepted by Dortmund this winter. The Germans are trying to tie the attacker down to a new deal, but the player himself is keeping his options open as interest in his signature mounts.
Reus may well be a good fit at City, with his versatile nature and pace allowing him to operate on either flank or as a central striker.
Isco
Pellegrini is known to be a big fan of Isco after helping him through to the big time at Malaga, and even attempted to sign him last year before Real Madrid lured him to the Bernabeu. The classy playmaker is set for a tough battle for game time in the Spanish capital this season, and there’s every chance he may be ready to push a move away by the time January comes around.
With a good relationship with the Chilean gaffer, Isco may be tempted to pick City ahead of other interested clubs, including Liverpool.
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Adrien Rabiot
In the cut-price realms there is the option to take Rabiot away from PSG. The classy passer is set to be available for around £5m this winter after indicating that he’s ready to run out the last few months of his contract in Paris amid concerns he cannot get the game time he needs to progress.
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Roma are understood to be leading the race, but City could gazump the Italians in terms of salary to nab one of Europe’s most sought after midfielders.
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Paul Pogba
Big money would be needed for Pogba, but such a sum would get, arguably, Europe’s top box-to-box midfielder. The powerful Frenchman left Manchester United as a youngster to join the Old Lady, and has since thrived in Turin, winning league titles and earning a spot in France’s national side.
Juve may be ready to sell if negotiations regarding a new contract break down, but City would likely have to see off interest from United and other big name continental sides.