Aleksandar Kolarov could be heading back to Italy after three mixed years in the Premier League…
Check in to Transfer Window: Done Deal Alerts
Manchester City are bracing themselves for a bid for Serbian left-back Aleksandar Kolarov from Italian champions Juventus, reports Forza Italian Football.
The 27-year-old only managed 11 Premier League starts in the 2012/13 season, and the Citizens could be ready to cut their losses on the player they shelled out a massive €18.6m for in 2010.
Juventus are prepared to bid €12m for the dynamic Serb, which seems more than fair for a player who has struggled to nail down a first-team place in England. The Old Lady have already spent impressively this summer, bringing in Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente to name a few; but their desire to compete for a Champions League title means they continue to seek new talent.
Despite his attacking prowess and impressive ability from set-pieces, Kolarov’s defensive misgivings mean he has played understudy to Frenchman Gael Clichy ever since the ex-Arsenal man arrived at the Etihad in 2011. Under Roberto Mancini, Kolarov was actually often used as an attacking substitute, as he regularly overlaps a left-winger and provides a viable crossing option with his mercurial left-foot.
During his time at Lazio, Kolarov quickly established himself as one of the most sought-after fullbacks in Europe, but like many other defenders moving from Serie A to the Premier League – the Serb struggled to adapt to its pace and physicality. Marco Materazzi, Andrea Dossena and Per Kroldrup have all proven themselves far more capable defenders in Italy than they ever did in England, and it could be the case that a move to the Old Lady will revitalise Kolarov’s career.
The full-back made 88 appearances for City, scoring an impressive 11 goals. If he completed a transfer to Juventus, Kolarov would follow Tevez in moving from the Etihad to the Juventus stadium this summer. The Bianconeri have already secured Federico Peluso to compete for the left-back slot this transfer window, but the temptation to bring Kolarov back to Italy could prove too much.