City could raid La Liga for Spanish great…
Iker Casillas – Real Madrid – likely cost: £18m
With every public mistake, the calls to replace Joe Hart in the City goal get louder and louder. The England stopper has endured a torrid 2013, and was almost dropped by Pellegrini for current reserve stopper Costel Pantilimon against Everton at the weekend.
Bizarrely, Casillas, one of the most decorated and celebrated keepers of all time, has lost his first-team place at Real Madrid. Last year under Jose Mourinho, Casillas made way for Diego Lopez, and now under new boss Carlo Ancelotti, Lopez is still getting the nod ahead of his more esteemed compatriot.
City could take advantage of the world-class stopper’s desperation for first-team football, and although Casillas would be loathe to leave his boyhood club, there is no way he will be content to sit on the Spanish giants’ bench for much longer.
Matts Hummels – Borussia Dortmund – likely cost: £32m
If there’s one position City desperately need to strengthen, it’s at centre-half. While club captain Vincent Kompany is undoubtedly one of the best defenders in the world, City look a completely different team when he’s out injured. Unfortunately the powerful Belgian has been prone to knocks this season, and manager Manuel Pellegrini has had to rely on the talented but inexperienced Matija Nastasic, and the combative but slow Joleon Lescott instead.
Hummels is a world-class centre-half and has shone for Borussia Dortmund over the past three seasons alongside Manchester United target Neven Subotic. He would cost huge money, but City are more than capable of shelling out large amounts on proven quality.
The German is still only 24-years-old, and could sit at the heart of City’s defence for the next six or seven years.
Daniele De Rossi – Roma – likely cost: £15m
Huge summer signing Fernandinho has done ‘ok’ for the Sky Blues since his summer arrival, but has by no means lived up to his enormous £35m price-tag. Yaya Toure has been outstanding, bagging four goals already, and many fans would be happy if a top class defensive midfielder was brought in to allow the Ivorian to play further up the field.
De Rossi has played for Roma throughout his career, and has been linked with moves to countless Premier League clubs season after season. Now, aged 30, the former Serie A Player of the Year could finally make the move to a Champions League club.
Roma though are doing brilliantly in Italy this term under new boss Rudi Garcia, and currently top the table following seven wins from their opening seven matches. Their excellent form could persuade the midfielder to stay and try to pick up his maiden Serie A title.
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