Manchester City are still riding high on the waves of good feeling emanating from their Premier League victory, but you can bet that Roberto Mancini is already making plans to improve his squad. With Manchester United likely to make some additions over the summer, City will have to do likewise to ensure they remain the favourites for next season. At least that’s the case according to the Papers who are linking the club to all an sundry.
Which brings me to a story that the Daily Mail recently ran. They claim that Manchester City are looking to tie up a deal for Atletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente. The Spanish sensation has a £29m buy-out clause written in his contract – a sum that City wouldn’t struggle to conjure up.
The Spanish newspaper AS claims that City officials have already met with Llorente’s brother Chus, who acts as his agent.
The 27-year-old has quickly climbed to fame (particularly thanks to his standout performances in the Europa League) and has racked up 89 goals over the last four seasons. Whilst he’s happy at Spain, City may be able to attract him with the potential to win trophies (and a bumper contract).
With the futures of players like Edin Dzeko, Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli all hanging in the balance, it doesn’t surprise me that Manchester City are on the lookout for a striker. If just one of those forwards were to leave the Etihad, I’m sure Mancini would react quickly to replace him.
Given all the disciplinary problems with players like Tevez and Balotelli, there have been a huge number of strikers linked to City – none more often than Arsenal’s Robin Van Persie.
The Dutchman’s future is very much up in the air at the moment. If the Gunners don’t show enough ambition in the transfer market there’s a good chance that RVP wont be plying his trade at the Emirates next year. Old moneybags Man City were thought to be the side with the capital to tempt him to join another Premier League club (as opposed to Real Madrid or Juventus).
So does the Llorente link rule out a move for RVP? My feeling is that unless City lose a player or two, they don’t need to make too many additions in forward positions. They’ve already got a healthy roster of talented strikers and the additions of Llorente would be more than enough to put them in pole position for next season.
Signing RVP as well would surely just prevent other players from getting game time?
What’s your take?
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