Man City transfer watch: Negredo to go, Falcao is a no

Manchester City could be in for a busy few hours in the transfer market, amid rumours linking one Sky Blues striker with an Etihad departure and another suggesting the Citizens are set to miss out ona blockbuster replacement.

Currently sideline with a metatarsal injury, Alvaro Negredo could be set for a move away from the Eastlands, having emerged as a surprise transfer target for Valencia.

The Spanish club are looking to rebuild their reputation under new owner Peter Lim and could make the 29-year-old their marquee summer signing in the coming hours.

Valued at £20m by City, the former Real Madrid and Sevilla hitman could be allowed to leave the club after struggling for goals in recent months, with his last strike coming back in January.

But Manchester City face a race against time to recruit a replacement with reports suggesting the club has missed out on a deal for Radamel Falcao, with the Colombian all set to join Manchetser United.

Any City bid would have been dependent on ensuring the club remained within the confines of financial fair play and with deals away from the club for the likes of Micah Richards and Matija Nastasic yet to materialise, it was always going to be tough.

Previous reports had suggested that the Citizens would have been forced to stump up £55m for Falcao and with Negredo only covering some of that price, the deal died before it had even begun.

Manchester United now lead the race for the Colombian, who is set to sign for the club on a season-long loan deal worth £12m to AS Monaco, with Falcao set to receive £200,000 a week in wages.

The South American is currently on a jet from Nice to Manchester and will head to Old Trafford to sign a contract with the Red Devils.

Pellegrini, meanwhile, is thought to be eager to complete a deal for the striker, however, after watching his team draw a blank at home to Stoke City in the Premier League at the weekend.

The Potters took all three points in a 1-0 win at the Etihad which dented City’s hopes of retaining the title this season.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

Fancy a flutter? Sign up today to claim up to £100 in free bets.