Speaking in America, Roberto Mancini again raised the idea of City signing Fernando Torres. With Liverpool officials still trying to convince El Nino to remain on Merseyside, Mancini’s words were interestingly timed.
City transfer talk: 21 July – Negotiations with Balotelli’s agent
21st July 2010
Chris Wheeler at the Mail claims that City have agreed a £23m fee plus performance related bonuses for Mario Balotelli. This would be a better price than many we have seen reported elsewhere.
Unfortunately City now have to deal with Mino Raiola, the agent for Balotelli (and Ibrahimovic), who is not considered the easiest to negotiate with.
City transfer talk: 20 July – Kolarov set to be announced
20th July 2010
The big news today looks like a deal for Aleksandar Kolarov finally being announced. Il Corriere dello Sport report that a fee of 18 million euros has been agreed, with Lazio having secured a replacement in the form of Luca Antonelli. They go on to say Kolarov is set to link up with the City squad in America on Thursday or Friday.
Unlike our other Summer signings, Kolarov is not a clear A-list player and it will be interesting to see how he fares. His thunderous shot may look good on YouTube, but a couple of mediocre perforamances for Serbia in the World Cup saw him dropped for the final group game.
City transfer talk: 19 July – Deadline for Kolarov while negotiations continue for Balotelli
19th July 2010
Football Italia report that Mario Balotelli will not jeopardise his relationship with Inter by asking for a move. Not that he’s had any qualms about upsetting them in the past. Throwing his shirt to the floor at the end of a Champions League game was hardly a crowd pleaser.
Il Corriere dello Sport say the 19-year-old will train today, but wouldn’t be against a move. They’re under the impression that negotiations are set to continue with City willing to up their initial offer.
Portland Timbers v Manchester City on their site
17th July 2010
Tonight’s match in Portland kicks off at 7pm locally, or 3am in England. The Portland Timbers site will have a video webcast of the match available for viewing on Sunday at http://www.portlandtimbers.com/live/.
City transfer talk: 16 July – Kolarov fee agreed and Balotelli offer made
16th July 2010
Last night saw news break that City had agreed a fee with Lazio for Aleksander Kolarov. The morning papers are full of it with the figure claimed to be between 15 and 18.5 million euros.
There is a little jumping the gun here as confirmation has yet to come from either club and the player has still to agree to come to us. Previously Kolarov had been tipped to join Mourinho at first Inter then Real Madrid.
City transfer talk: 15 July – Micah set to stay. Robinho for Ukraine?
15th July 2010
Mixed messages today on the future of Micah Richards, with the majority saying he’s set to stay. Daniel Taylor tweeted as much before it appeared in The Guardian and the news was also in The Sun.
With Boateng and Zabaleta, there will be considerable competition for Micah at right-back. What we don’t have is a genuine attacking right-back and there’s been plenty of speculation that Mancini wants to bring in either Maicon or Dani Alves.
City transfer talk: 14 July – Silva arrives and Michael Johnson set to stay
14th July 2010
The best news for City fans today was the sight of David Silva in Manchester. The Mail captured the Spanish World Cup winner on his way for a medical.
With little news on new faces, the Telegraph has a piece by Mark Ogden on who might be set to leave. It’s becoming a familiar list of names: Craig Bellamy, Micah Richards, Stephen Ireland, Robinho, Roque Santa Cruz, with Nedum Onuoha included in a similar piece in The Times.
City transfer talk: 13 July – Dzeko dominates as Coentrao’s linked
13th July 2010
Edin Dzeko appears to be the focus of our transfer speculation today, though the bad news is the strength of Juventus’ interest.
Over in Portugal, Record newspaper has City linked with Fabio Coentrao in their cover story. The Benfica player was considered the best left-back in the World Cup by many observers (Ashley Cole had the misfortune to be playing for England).
City transfer talk: 12 July
12th July 2010
City have yet to make a formal bid for Lazio’s Aleksandar Kolarov according to Il Corriere dello Sport, though the Italian paper believes an offer could be made this week. If not, Lazio expect the Serbian to report for pre-season training.
It certainly sounds like he could be on his way. The sticking point is likely to be the fee with Il Corriere dello Sport talking about an 18 million euro offer being made by City.
