Manchester City Transfer Targets? Hope of Hype

seems that new manager Roberto Mancini hasn’t been slow in naming his targets for his paymasters at the club to go and squander, sorry, I mean spend, vast sums of money on in the next few weeks and months.

If you read the frenzied press reports that have accompanied the news and believed that every player in the press that was linked with City, was going to sign. Then City would have a squad the size of China.

However let’s sort the wheat from the chaff for you and give you our lowdown on the big stars that have been linked with City and whether City do have a hope of landing them, or whether it is all just overblown hype...

1. GIORGIO CHIELLINI (Juventus) £30m – Rated at around £15m by some experts, but Italian international defender Chiellini will cost a lot more. Not that Mancini will baulk paying this. Juventus don’t have too much to spend at the moment and with Inter racing away with the Scudetto, they need money to make changes. Our verdict : HOPE – Chiellini is a good fit for Mancini and City.

2. FRANCK RIBERY (Bayern Munich) £65m – The Frenchman it seems, is on his way out of Bayern Munich after talks between his agents and Bayern hierarchy. City have been linked with a £65m bid for the player which would interest Bayern...Or would it? Our verdict : HYPE – Ribery will be off from Bayern, but it will be to Spain in the summer with Real Madrid the likeliest destination.

3. MARCO BALOTELLI (Inter) £20m – Mancini is a firm admirer of the young Italian who has had a bit of a chequered past few months with disciplinary problems. However he is a real talent and would no doubt be a player Mancini thinks highly of. Our verdict : HOPE – Inter say they won’t sell. They will for the right price for a player who has been a bit of a liability for them in recent times.

4. ANGEL DI MARIA (Benfica)  £35m – A target for both Manchester United and Chelsea if you believe the rumours. The Argentinian youngster has been really impressive for Benfica this season and a big move beckons. If Mancini doesn’t like the look of Craig Bellamy... Our verdict : HOPE – Benfica are in no position to turn down the huge offer likely to come their way for the young winger. The only doubt in my mind i-s whether Mancini would want him in City's soccer jersey.

5. THIERRY HENRY (Barcelona) £10m – Has been in and out the Barcelona side of late and seems to be reaching the crossroads of his time at the Nou Camp. But is he right for City? Our verdict : HYPE : If Henry goes anywhere, it will be to the MLS to “do a Beckham”. Eastlands is not in his plans.

6. FERNANDO TORRES (Liverpool) £80m – Reported to be more than happy at Liverpool despite their form and the fall out if Liverpool do sell would be horrendous for any manager or board member. Unless of course, financially they have no option. Our verdict : HYPE : For now, but if Liverpool don’t qualify for Europe and Man City are in the Champions League come the summer, watch this space.

7. SERGIO AGUERO (Atletico Madrid) £40m – has been linked with a move away from the club for a good while now with Chelsea and Manchester United both linked with him. Could City’s late interest prove decisive? Our verdict : HYPE : Aguero’s set for Chelsea come January and it seems little else would persuade him otherwise.

Comments

[Cathie Haithcock]

To tell the truth despite last seasons goal tally, I might rather view Rooney return playing behind a striker, still through the middle but behind a proper number NINE.He scores much more goals as compared to Berbatov does when he plays there (over 20 a season) and still contributes a significant quantity in assists and build-up play. Just how much did Ronaldo take advantage of it? I'm sure fast players with good movement like Nani and Hernandez would benefit in the same way.Absolutely nothing against Berba, some weeks he does things few players can on this planet can do, but often, he does not, and just slows us dow