Man City ready to move for coveted South American strike duo
Published:As Manchester City prepare to defend their Premier League crown for the first time next season, manager Roberto Mancini is hoping to significantly bolster his attacking options.
Napoli striker Edinson Cavani, who scored twice against City in last season’s Champions League, is believed to be his chief target, though Juventus also maintain an interest in the player.
Cavani’s side Napoli missed out on qualifying for next year’s Champions League, and so the imposing Uruguayan forward may be more open to long-mooted move to England.
He would command a fee in the region of £40million, which would not be a problem for City, particularly if an exodus of attacking talent occurs at Eastlands as expected.
Indeed, Carlos Tevez, Edin Dzeko, Emmanuel Adebyaor and Roque Santa Cruz are expected to leave the club, which would free up the wages necessary to attract a player of Cavani’s standing.
City’s spending may not cease with the addition of Cavani however, as Mancini also retains an interest in Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao.
Clearly intent on landing a powerful hitman to lead his attack, Mancini wants the former Porto star to swap the Europa League champions for the English champions, after he enjoyed a blistering debut campaign in Spain.
The 26-year-old has notched an incredible 108 goals in just three seasons since leaving Argentinian outfit River Plate, and his value has rocketed in that time too.
Although he signed for Atletico for £35million only last summer, Mancini seems primed to test the club’s resolve to hold on to their star, by bidding around £40million for his services.
It is thought that Falcao is in agreement with his manager Diego Simeone that one more year in La Liga would further significantly aid his development, and therefore a move may fail to materialise this summer.
However, a good relationship between the clubs is in existence, and this could boost City’s hopes of landing the striker, after they paid £38million up front to Atletico for Sergio Aguero last summer.
