With the January window now open, rumours are rife. Let’s see what stories are making headlines, shall we...?
The top tale of the day derives from the Daily Mail, who believe the Blues are plotting a move for Real Madrid’s Isco.
According to Rob Draper: “The 23-year-old Spain international is struggling to get a start under Rafa Benitez and Madrid would consider selling him this month if the price is right.
“The Spanish giants have not yet been contacted by Manchester City, but Isco is a player who City’s sporting director Txiki Begiristain has admired for some time.
“Isco was a key player under Manuel Pellegrini at Malaga and City tried to sign the playmaker when the Chilean arrived at the Etihad as manager in 2013.
“However, Real took him to the Bernabeu for £23m.
“The club have since signed a surfeit of attacking players and Isco has frequently been relegated to the bench and is frustrated.
“Juventus are also considering a move for him.”
101 Great Goals agree City are keen to capture the midfielder but add Chelsea are also monitoring his situation.
Ben Green explains: “A Spanish journalist, Raúl Orvañanos, who works for Fox Sports and Record, has claimed that Chelsea are now ‘very interested in Isco.’
“Considering Chelsea’s woes in 2015/2016, the signing of Isco would be a huge boost for the club.
“And, on many levels it would make sense for Roman Abramovich to splash the cash on one of the most creative players in world football.
“Isco would join fellow Spaniards Cesc Fabregas and Pedro at Chelsea and would be guaranteed playing time.”
Meanwhile, the Mirror suggest signing the Spaniard would spell the end of Samir Nasri’s City career.
Simon Mullock states: “If City are successful, that would make midfielder Nasri the player most likely to miss out when Manuel Pellegrini resubmits his squad to the Premier League at the end of this month.
“Clubs can name a maximum of 17 foreign players - and City already have a full quota.
“Recruiting Isco would force Pellegrini into making a major decision - and Nasri is currently sidelined after surgery.”
In other news, Football FanCast have compiled a five-strong list of recruits they think could secure City the Premier League title.
Jonathan Gorrie claims signing any of Ricardo Rodriguez, Mauro Icardi, Ever Banega, Cesc Fabregas or John Stones would help to achieve that feat.
He explains: “Swiss international and Wolfsburg star Ricardo Rodriguez has established himself as one of the top defenders in European football over the past couple of seasons.
“He takes his defensive abilities very seriously and has demonstrated a finely tuned reading of the game while in Germany. Going forward, the 23-year old is a sight to be marvelled when surging up the left flank and whipping in a cross with pinpoint accuracy.
“Moving for Inter Milan’s Mauro Icardi could be just the tonic. The 22-year old is an excellent striker on his day, finishing joint top scorer in Serie A last term with an impressive 31 goal haul.
“A centre-forward in an old fashioned sense, he’s an excellent long term option while also possessing many of the tools needed to compete at the very top right now.
“Sevilla’s Ever Banega could be a more astute option to shore up the ranks in the engine room this winter.
“The Argentine is a supreme passer of the ball with a wealth of top level experience through his time at Boca Juniors, Valencia and now Sevilla.
“The Spaniard [Fabregas], despite his well-documented struggles later on in seasons, is an excellent midfielder in whatever role he is given. The thought of seeing him link with up with the likes of David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne is truly mouth-watering.
“Stones has a remarkable knack for being in the right place at the right time, marshalling a defence and taking the ball up field.
“All attributes the Etihad outfit desperately crave in the absence of their captain.”
Finally, Chris Bascombe of the Telegraph insists the chances of recruiting Paul Pogba to the ranks this month are slim.
He reports: “City have a long-term interest in Juventus’ Paul Pogba, but having failed to lure him last summer it’s highly unlikely the ex-United midfielder would be tempted to abandon Champions League ambitions in Italy mid-season.”
Do you think City need to strengthen in January? If so, who would fit the bill? Let us know on Twitter!
