A look at three players who could leave and three who could join Man City this January.
Things have not exactly gone to plan for Manchester City so far this season, with some shock defeats already to Cardiff and Aston Villa. New manager Manuel Pellegrini spent big in the summer on some fine attacking players, but still may need to freshen things up in his squad when he next gets the opportunity in January. Some of the club’s squad players are not looking up to scratch, and could do with replacing with better quality. We highlight three who could leave and three who could join Manchester City in this potentially busy January transfer window.
Out: Joleon Lescott
After falling down the pecking order at the club last season, it seemed possible that Joleon Lescott could depart Manchester City in the summer. So far he’s stuck around, but the club are yet to agree on a new contract for the 31-year-old, who is still hoping to be among the highest earners at the Etihad Stadium despite his status as a backup player.
Although Lescott was a key performer for City when he first joined the club, and played a key role in their title win of 2011/12, there are now several players ahead of him at centre-back, and manager Manuel Pellegrini could still look to strengthen that position when the transfer window re-opens in January, which surely signals the end to Lescott’s time at the club.
His old side Everton are said to be keen on him, as are Newcastle and Aston Villa, so he won’t be short of suitors if he does choose to leave.
In: Kyriakos Papadopoulos (Schalke)
One of the best young defenders in the world, Manchester City could do well to table a big-money bid for Schalke starlet Kyriakos Papadopoulos this January, as the Bundesliga club have previously hinted that he could be made available for the right price. The likes of Liverpool have also looked at the talented Greek international, but City would certainly be wise to leap in ahead of any rivals to snap up this 21-year-old, as the likes of Joleon Lescott could be on the way out of the club, and with Vincent Kompany and Matija Nastasic not looking like the most convincing central defensive partnership at the moment.
The likes of Eliaquim Mangala have also been eyed up by Pellegrini in recent months, but Papadopoulos could be a cheaper option and looks like the best candidate to improve City’s shaky defence.
Out: Micah Richards
A player who has perhaps never quite managed to live up to the potential he showed as a youngster, Micah Richards looks likely to be leaving Manchester City this January after spending his entire career with the club so far. The versatile defender can operate well as a right-back or a centre-back but has still not managed to break into the team on a regular basis over the last year or so, falling behind Pablo Zabaleta in the pecking order in what is probably his best position at full-back.
Arsenal and Liverpool had previously been linked as admirers of Richards, though it now seems that the likes of Newcastle and Roma are leading the chase for his signature this January. Although some may argue that the 25-year-old deserves more of a chance to impress, perhaps City should be aiming higher and could do well to complete the sale of this inconsistent and injury-prone player in the next transfer window.
In: Willy Caballero (Malaga)
With growing uncertainty over Joe Hart’s performances, it seems increasingly likely that Manchester City will be in the market for a new goalkeeper this January. Hart has made several individual errors already this season that have led to costly goals for Pellegrini’s side, and it is no surprise to see several big names being linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium.
While the likes of Iker Casillas and Asmir Begovic could also be good options, Pellegrini’s main target is supposedly his old goalkeeper from Malaga, Willy Caballero. The 32-year-old Argentine was a big player for the Chilean during his time in charge of the La Liga outfit, and was also thought to be a target for City during the summer. With Hart’s form dipping even more since then, Caballero will surely now be a top target for Pellegrini when the transfer window re-opens again.
While defenders will also be on the agenda for the City boss, it could really be that a more reliable presence behind his back four could be what they need to start keeping more clean sheets.
Out: Edin Dzeko
It seemed highly likely that Edin Dzeko would be leaving Manchester City during the summer, though the Bosnian striker has ended up sticking around. Still, he has not done that well in taking the chance gifted to him by Manuel Pellegrini, and seems like the weakest of all four of City’s options upfront.
While the likes of Napoli, Chelsea and Fiorentina reportedly targeted him during the summer transfer window, it is not clear now if Dzeko has any specific admirers, though if he is made available he is likely to attract some interest, given his previous impressive showing in the Bundesliga during his days with Wolsburg. It hasn’t quite happened for Dzeko in the Premier League though, and with the likes of Sergio Aguero, Alvaro Negredo and Stevan Jovetic all competing for a place upfront, it makes sense that Dzeko would be the one to make way.
In: Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund)
A good signing City could make if Dzeko leaves would be Borussia Dortmund star Marco Reus. The immensely talented German international would give Pellegrini something a little different in attack, and while he can also play upfront, he could be highly effective in a deeper role and help take the burden off David Silva to provide the creativity from midfield for City.
City are one of several clubs who have been linked with a move for Reus, who has been one of the best players in the Bundesliga over the last couple of years, weighing in heavily with goals and assists for Jurgen Klopp’s stylish side. Arsenal could be City’s main rivals for his signature this January, but City’s significant financial power should give them some edge in the chase for the 24-year-old, who would be an excellent alternative to one of their main summer targets Isco, who instead opted to join Real Madrid.