Man City targeting five new signings as Mancini chases Europe glory
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is plotting moves for five players that he believes will deliver Champions League glory a Footy Bunker source tells us.
Having cleared the decks at the Etihad Stadium and shifted all the dead wood Mancini is ready to enter the transfer market to bolster the squad that won City’s first every Premier League title last term.
The 47-year-old Italian has already said he’s desperate to strengthen his options in all areas and has charged football director Brian Marwood with successfully handling negotiations.
“It is important to get players quickly because, after what we did last year, we must continue to win,” he told BBC Sport last week.
“This year will be harder than last so we need to improve our team. We have a man who works for this and we hope that they can do a good job.
“For this question, speak to the man in charge. I am not in charge of this.”
Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie remains high on his shopping list but saw a bid for the Holland international rejected after it fell below the £20 million Arsene Wenger is demanding for his captain.
Mancini is keen to sign the 28-year-old and will return with an offer closer to the asking price once Emmanuel Adebayor is sold Tottenham Hotspur.
Reinforcing competition in defence is also a priority and is rumoured to be interested in Liverpool centre back Daniel Agger and Athletic Bilbao’s Javi Martinez.
City are said to have submitted £13m bid for the Danish international but Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers isn’t prepared to sell a player he considers central to his plans for the forthcoming season.
Spain star Martinez will also prove a tough nut to crack with Athletico keen to hang onto the stylish 23-year-old, who can also operate in defensive midfield, having fended off interest from Barcelona earlier this year.
It’s also emerged that Bologna anchor man Gaston Ramirez is being considered with Nigel De Jong’s future at the club uncertain.
