City to fend off a late bid from rivals United for Jovetic.
Despite a late bid from Manchester United, Manchester City are still expected to complete the £28m signing of coveted Fiorentina striker Stevan Jovetic, according to the Mirror.
The 23-year-old has been targeted by the likes of Arsenal, Juventus and Chelsea in the past but City boss Manuel Pellegrini is keen for the Montenegrin to be part of the 59-year-old’s new look side at the Etihad.
The Chilean is prepared to use the Citizens’ financial clout to ensure the transfer goes through and undermining United at the death will make the move all the more sweeter for City fans.
Jovetic’s agent Fali Ramadani has been in lengthy talks with the Manchester club’s sporting director Txiki Begiristain, after Fiorentina gave permission for the two parties to discuss terms having signed Mario Gomez from Bayern Munich as the striker’s replacement.
The Montenegro international has been touted as one of the hottest attacking talents in Europe, after spending five years in Florence since a switch from Partizan Belgrade in 2008.
Despite the fairly modest return of 40 goals in 134 matches for the Serie A club, it is Jovetic’s dribbling and passing skills in the No.10 role behind the front-man that really makes the forward a top player.
City are in desperate need of fresh attacking talent at Eastlands having sold Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli to Juventus and AC Milan respectively in the last six months.
The departure of the duo to Italy has left Pellegrini with just Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko as first team attacking options, although the arrival of Jovetic would certainly strengthen that department considerably.
COMMENTS