Pogba, Sterling and Co feature on Manchester City's 2015 Summer shopping list

25 May 2015 12:17

Although Manuel Pellegrini led Manchester City to their second title in three years last season, his future is uncertain after failing to keep pace with league winners Chelsea and again falling short in Europe. A summer revamp is in order to re-shape City’s squad, which has an average age of 29.8.

It was revealed this week that Financial Fair play Regulations are set to be relaxed which will give clubs more leeway to spend big meaning City will not be restricted in terms of their spending in the same way they were 12 months ago.

James Milner’s future at the Etihad is uncertain with no new contract agreed thus far. Micah Richards, Alvaro Negredo and Stevan Jovetic are all likely to leave the club and Frank Lampard will be jetting off to the MLS to link up with parent club New York City FC. The future of Yaya Toure is also up in the air with Roberto Mancini eager to re-unite with the Ivorian talisman at Inter Milan.

We assess who the Citizens could look to bring in and help challenge for the title next campaign.

Paul Pogba – Juventus – France

Manchester City are in need of a marquee signing and a replacement for 32 year old Toure who looks set to leave Manchester this summer. Paul Pogba has attracted interest from all corners of the globe after another stellar season in the Serie A with Juventus.

Since leaving Manchester United for Italy on a free transfer, the 22 year old has scored 24 goals in 126 appearances for the Old Lady and has become on the world’s best midfielders. It has been reported that City have held talks with Pogba’s representative regarding a move to the Etihad.

City face stiff competition to sign Pogba with PSG, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Chelsea and former club Manchester United all interested in the Frenchman. However team-mate Andrea Pirlo does not believe that Pogba will move back to United which will boost City’s chances of landing the midfield dynamo.

Juventus are keen to keep Pogba who is contracted until 2019 and have slapped a huge price tag on their prized possession in order to keep the former Le Havre man at the Juventus Stadium. PSG are reportedly willing to meet the valuation of the player but his £160,000 per week wages could prove a stumbling block giving City the advantage.

Pogba has all the attributes to fill the void left by Toure in the centre of midfield; possessing pace, power, an eye for goal and the stamina required to run the game from the centre of the park.

Raheem Sterling – Liverpool – England

Raheem Sterling’s situation at Liverpool has dominated the headlines in the past week after his agent, Aidy Ward, revealed that he will not be signing a new contract at Anfield and wants to depart the club. Sterling has been heavily criticised for taking this stance after rejecting an £100,000 a week contract with the Reds.

Sterling says that he is not motivated by money and instead wants to win trophies; something which City could offer the young winger. The Citizens are in need of a quick, direct and skilful player to add another dimension to their attack and Sterling ticks all the boxes.

The former QPR man could make an ideal partner for Sergio Aguero in City’s attack and City are well placed to capitalise on his current situation at Anfield. However, Liverpool are under no pressure to sell one of their most prized assets meaning Sterling’s price tag could prove a stumbling block for any potential move.

The Daily Mail has reported that City are overwhelming favourites to land the England international when the transfer window opens even though Brendan Rodgers insisted that he expects Sterling to remain a Liverpool player and honour the two years left on his current deal.

Arsenal are the toughest competition for City as the Gunners are more interested in the 20 year old than Chelsea and Sterling may favour a move back to London. However, it is unlikely that Arsene Wenger’s side can compete with the financial power available to City.

Kevin De Bruyne – Wolfsburg – Belgium

Kevin De Bruyne has light up the Bundesliga for Wolfsburg this season and as a result have been linked with a big money move to City in the summer. City require an overhaul in the attacking third and De Bruyne would be perfect for the Citizens in order to challenge Chelsea for the Premier League crown next season.

The Belgium midfielder has registered 10 goals for his side this season and has formed quite a partnership with Dutch striker Bas Dost who has hit 16 goals for Wolfsburg. The former Chelsea man has also equalled the Bundesliga assist record held by Zvjezdan Misimovic with a total of 20.

De Bruyne’s agent has insisted that the midfielder’s future remains undecided but City will face competition from PSG and Bayern Munich for his signature. The 23 year old’s assist total is more than any other player in Europe’s top leagues. Jesus Navas and Sergio Aguero have the most league assists for City with eight and Pellegrini will be looking for more creative talent to add to his ranks with Samir Nasri looking likely to leave the club.

Aguero has been in fantastic form this season, despite being yet again plagued with injuries, and the Argentine would no doubt benefit with someone of De Bruyne’s creative capability behind him. De Bruyne has completed 107 key passes this season, only Marseille’s Dimitri Payet has completed more.

Wolfsburg are reluctant to part with their star man who masterminded the 4-1 thrashing of Bayern Munich at the end of January. De Bruyne arrived at Volkswagen Arena for £18m from Chelsea and the club have insisted it would take more than £35m, a figure which City can easily meet.

De Bruyne has been one of the best performers in Germany this season and at the age of 23, will only get better. De Bruyne could be the signing of the season and be one of City’s star players for years to come.

Saido Berahino – West Brom – England

With Steven Jovetic likely to leave the club in the summer and Edin Dzeko also being linked with moves away, City could look to recruit another striker as cover for Aguero and Wilfried Bony. Saido Berahino has been in good form for West Brom this season and has earned an England call up for his efforts.

West Brom want to keep the U21 international at the Hawthorns and have offered the youngster a new contract. Berahino remains eager to test himself at a higher level and Tony Pulis has admitted the 21 year old can leave for a top four club if the deal is right.

Berahino has netted 20 goals this season and City will face competition from Tottenham and Liverpool for the Englishman’s signature.

Source: DSG