Israel Saria
Those clubs planning to sign a big name player in the summer can just forget about it – Manchester City are going to sign everyone.
In a foolproof way to guarantee success, the mega-rich underachievers will make sure that nobody can compete with them by simply making sure all talented players end up at Eastlands.
A slight exaggeration of course, but only a slight one, as City are linked with a host of blockbuster names in today’s papers.
The two players that seem to be popping up in all the sheets – both tabloid and broad – are Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko and Valencia winger David Silva.
Bosnian giant Dzeko would cost the club a British transfer record £35 million, while Silva will cost the same or maybe “just” £25m depending on which newspaper you read.
The Dzeko deal could be pushed through with Micah Richards going the other way, with Steve McClaren’s Bundesliga side ready to pay £10m for the defender (Daily Star).
So who else are City going to sign? Well the Guardian reckons another £50m is being set aside for a double midfield swoop of Aston Villa‘s James Milner, who of course they have already bid £20m for, and Everton‘s Mikel Arteta.
But wait, there is more! If we are to believe the Daily Mirror (and why should we not?), City are also planning to boost Jose Mourinho’s coffers at Real Madrid by taking Gonzalo Higuain, Rafael van der Vaart and Fernando Gago off his hands.
Hard to see the likes of Michael Johnson and Benjani getting too many games next season now isn’t it?
Okay, that’s enough from City, what about Liverpool? Well they have actually been linked with a player for once, and a good one too, with Atletico Madrid’s Simao Sabrosa talked about as a possible £8m signing in the Star.
Wigan striker Hugo Rodallega could be set for a move to Arsenal according to…well, Hugo Rodallega. The Colombian says he doesn’t know what his future holds but that Arsenal “have made an offer for him” (The Sun).
Strikers that could be moving into the Premier League for the first time include Leeds’ Jermaine Beckford, who looks set for Everton (Daily Mirror) and Rangers‘ Kris Boyd who is wanted by Blackburn (various).
Two players who played with relegated clubs last year could stay in the division too, with Wolves closing in on a £7m deal for Burnley striker Steven Fletcher (Daily Mail) and West Ham having made a £3m offer for Lyon striker Frederic Piquionne, who spent a year-long loan at Portsmouth last season (Daily Mail).
Finally, Bolton hope to again take Arsenal Jack Wilshere on loan for next season (Daily Mail) and Portsmouth’s Papa Bouba Diop could be on his way to Greek club AEK Athens in a £1m deal (Daily Star).
Seán Fay / Eurosport
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