Noisy Neighbours New Tenants

Love them or hate them, there is no way that you cannot be intrigued by Manchester City since the takeover of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan in August 2008. Robinho paved the way for big name signings like Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor, Kolo Toure and erm Joleon Lescott. City have certainly splashed the cash but what does this summer hold? Let’s take a look at who Roberto Mancini’s limitless cheque book has bought and who he has his eyes on.


Through the door

David Silva - £26 million

The former Valencia winger and current impact sub for Spain, Silva is one of the most devastating attackers in Europe. Big money, but could form a lethal wing partnership with Adam Johnson.

Transfer Rating – 9/10

Jerome Boateng - £11 million

The half-brother of Kevin Prince-Boateng has shone at the World Cup and for once, City have been shrewd in the transfer market by buying him before World Cup. Despite playing left back for Germany, Boateng is more of a centre half by trade and is the ball playing defender that City severely lacked last season.

Transfer Rating – 8/10

Yaya Toure - £28 million

Won everything in sight with Barcelona two years ago and City would have been chuffed with any member of that team. Yaya will sit just in front of his brother Kolo, but Nigel De Jong and Gareth Barry already do that. Too many cooks….

Transfer Rating – 6/10

Knocking on the door

Fernando Torres

Torres has not done himself justice at the World Cup and if City were to land him then could turn in to title challengers. Would add real pace to the centre of the park giving more room for Tevez, Johnson and Silva. Of course he would bring goals too, and plenty of them. I think he will not be at Anfield much longer leaving a straight shootout between City and Chelsea.

Transfer Chances – 7/10

Edin Dzeko

The Wolfsburg hitman has not yet been scared away by Steve McClaren and many clubs have been scared away by the £50 million price tag. Too pricey and too much like Adebayor.

Transfer Chances – 2/10

James Milner

Bids have already been rejected by Aston Villa for the versatile Milner and the boat may have already sailed for this summer. If City increase their offer much more then the figure wont be much shy of what Barcelona have paid for David Villa. Surely City wont be held to ransom to this extreme, though they did make Joleon Lescott the third most expensive defender in history.

Transfer Chances – 4/10

Mario Balatelli

The tempramental striker who Jose Mourinho claims has ‘one brain cell’ may fall foul of Rafa Benitez’s new regime. Mancini knows him as a youth player from his time at Inter and may feel he can calm super Mario. Is he worth the trouble. A quick look on youtube suggests he might be.

Transfer Chances – 6/10