Manchester City eye up Dzeko and Dani Alves
Roberto Mancini could make a move for the highly-rated duo in the January transfer window....
Manchester City are rumoured to be making moves for Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko and Barcelona and Brazil full-back Dani Alves in the January transfer window, according to the Sunday Mirror.
Bosnian star Dzeko has been on the radar of most of Europe's top clubs for a couple of years now but so far the German side, currently managed by Steve McClaren, have refused to sell their prize asset despite the striker making it pretty clear he wants out so he can fulfil his ambitions of winning more silverware at a bigger club. There was plenty of interest in him during the summer transfer window but Wolfsburg valued him at 45 million Euros which put off any would-be buyers and angered the player and his advisers. Steve McClaren tried to appease the 24 year-old by giving him the captaincy and he has responded by scoring seven league goals so far in this campaign but this is likely to be his last season at the club as Wolfsburg will want to cash in on him when his market value is at its highest.
City would be amongst the favourites to sign him. Not only would a huge transfer fee not be a stumbling block but for all their attacking options, only Carlos Tevez has consistently scored goals over the last couple of seasons. Roque Santa Cruz and Emmanuel Adebayor are likely to leave the club sooner rather than later whilst Mario Balotelli has had a mixed start to his City career and rumours have already surfaced that he is unsettled and homesick. Dzeko's goals could massively improve City's fortunes.
Another City target is Barcelona's Dani Alves. The Brazilian right-back is a key player for Pep Guardiola but negotiations over a new contract have stumbled and City may swoop for the former Sevilla man if he becomes available. The right-back slot is one of City's potentially problematic positions. Roberto Mancini doesn't appear to be a huge fan of Micah Richards whilst Pablo Zabaleta is seen as no more than a squad player who can fill in if need be. Jerome Boateng has made a decent start to his City career after injury but the Italian manager is well aware of the extra attacking threat Alves would bring to his side, including his delivery from set-pieces.
Published: 21 Nov 2010
Mick (November 25, 2010 9:56 AM) said:
I heard Wolfsburg had turned down a big money bid from City. There is an agreement in place for him to go to Bayern in the summer. City have turned their attention to Porto's Hulk and others.