With Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli both having hit the exit door at Manchester City, a new striker or two is now high on the priority list for the Blues. Since Tevez departed earlier this week, many names have been linked with a move to the Etihad, but here I am determined to outline the top five strikers City have been linked with, and who they should make a move for.
Stevan Jovetic – the Fiorentina striker has caught the eyes of many of England’s biggest clubs since joining from Partizan Belgrade back in 2008, despite only have scored 35 league goals in over 100 games in the last five seasons. However, he has scored 10 goals in 27 appearances for Montenegro’s international side since making his debut six years ago, and could be the man to replace Tevez in the City front-line, although whether he should be purchased by the Blues is arguable, and many City fans are unsure on the 23-year-olds suitability.
Oscar Cardozo – this Paraguayan striker, of Benfica, has also caught the eye of many with his goal tally of 106 league goals in 160 league games for Benfica since 2007, and has been a key part of the side that’s won five trophies in his career with the Eagles. Despite his goals-to-game ratio, his age of 30 has put many City fans off the idea of signing Cardozo, and prefer to think of higher-quality, younger options as an alternative.
Fred – a target to be linked with the Blues in more recent times is Fred of Fluminese, currently with Brazil at the Confederations Cup. Even at the age of 29, he seems to be a popular option with the City faithful. Not only does his release clause in his contract of £2m limit the chances of the transfer being labelled a flop, but he has a very good goal record in recent times too. 64 goals in just 88 games in the past two seasons is an impressive total in any league, and could persuade the Citizens to take a chance on the former Lyon man.
Alvaro Negredo – having already purchased winger Jesus Navas from Sevilla this summer, City are supposedly after another of their attacking players, this time Alvaro Negredo, another Spanish international. Having scored 31 goals in 42 games in all competitions last season, he’s caught the eye of bigger clubs, and could well be on the move, and exactly the kind of player City need. The fans also think that at £18m, he could well turn out to be a bargain for the Blues.
Edinson Cavani – this is a name which has been linked with City every transfer window for a couple of years now. The striker has made a big name for himself in Naples with a goal record that is unrivalled by many, having scored 104 goals in 138 games in all competition since 2010, and this has led to interest from some of the world’s biggest clubs, including Real Madrid. However, Chelsea and City look the be moving ahead of Real in the race to sign the Uruguayan international, despite his hefty price tag of over £50m, which would be a record signing for both clubs, and would easily be in the first-team for both too.
Other names, such as Robert Lewandowski, Stephan El Shaarawy, and Mario Gomez have also been linked with a move to Manchester this summer, and it looks very important to me, especially as a City fan, that at least one key signing is made this summer, to appease missed opportunities in Isco this summer, and Robin Van Persie and Eden Hazard last year. With a new manager, and two signings already in the bag for City this summer, it looks set to be a big season for the Blues, but it could all depend on what striker(s) are bought.
The Blue View 