Manchester City head into this weekend’s clash with Liverpool as league leaders, but will Manuel Pellegrini seek to bolster his squad during the January transfer window?
There’s certainly been no shortage of speculation linking a series of star men to the Etihad Stadium, but will the Chilean coach need to offload any players in order to bring in the kind of players who can guarantee that the title returns to Manchester?
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In this feature, we run down the latest Manchester City transfer news and gossip.
Samir Nasri
The French international has been linked with a move to Inter Milan in recent weeks. However, speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, club chairman Erik Thohir has played down rumours that the Nerazurri are to make a move for the former Arsenal man.
“The newspapers are always coming out with stories like this [during the transfer window], such as now with Manchester City’s Frenchman,” the club owner began. “But I prefer not to get involved in this game.”
Kevin De Bruyne
While Kevin De Bruyne has settled into life at Manchester City and has quickly become part of the furniture at the Etihad Stadium, it might have all been so different.
The playmaker moved to former club Wolfsburg from Chelsea after being deemed surplus to requirements by Jose Mourinho. However, the midfielder has revealed that current Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp wanted De Bruyne for Borussia Dortmund, the club he was then managing.
“I had a personal agreement [with Klopp],” De Bruyne began, speaking to the Telegraph as per Goal.
“I asked the club [Chelsea] to go because I had a good feeling about Dortmund at the time. I had been good in Germany and he [Klopp] really wanted me because [Mario] Gotze went to Bayern Munich.
“He called me, and said ‘You will be the No 1’ at a team who had been second in the Bundesliga and in the Champions League final.”
Had De Bruyne moved to BVB—Champions League regulars—rather than Wolfsburg, would City have been able to have signed him last summer?
One way or another, City certainly have Mourinho to thank for the arrival of the precocious Belgian talent!
Josh Donaldson
At the time of writing, 15-year-old wonderkid goalkeeper Josh Donaldson is currently on trial at Arsenal from Dundee United.
However, with Arsene Wenger yet to confirm a deal, Donaldson could still move to another club, and the Daily Record report that both Manchester City and Manchester United are keeping tabs on the stopper.
Sergio Aguero set to stay
Hotshot Aguero has been heavily linked with a move away from Manchester City in recent months, with the Argentine forward having been tipped to join Real Madrid.
With Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly coming to the end of his tenure at the Bernabeu, the forward may be a key candidate to replace the goals and the star power of the Portuguese superstar.
However, according to the Manchester Evening News, City sporting director has confirmed that the Citizens are not looking to sell the player for any price.
Fernandinho on the brink of new deal
Also according to the Manchester Evening News, Brazil midfielder Fernandinho is set to extend his stay at the Etihad Stadium.
The former Shakhtar Donetsk man moved to the Etihad Stadium for £30 million back in 2013, and has shone in the heart of the park so far this term.
Fernandinho currently has over a year and a half left on his contract, but as a reward for his showings this term, he is set for talks on a new deal.