After discussing who maybe facing the exit door in North London, I’m going to focus my attention up north and to Manchester in particular. With Pep Guardiola now installed as Manchester City manager he has already wasted no time in signing 4 new players and after the team only finished 4th in the Premier League there will certainly be an overhaul of the squad this Summer. Let’s digest some of the Premier League transfer rumours now see who can be for The Etihad exit over the next few weeks.
Jesus Navas
With the addition of Nolito to the squad it looks as if the ex Sevilla players time could be up at Manchester City. After three seasons in the blue half of Manchester, Navas has made 99 league appearances and has only scored 4 times. That run is even more barren considering he hasn’t scored in the last two season
He has never quite lived up to the kind of player who shone in La Liga and has tasted international success for Spain. A player who suffers from homesickness perhaps a move back home could be exactly what the Doctor orders to kickstart his career
A player who is infuriating to watch due to the fact that he always needs to take an extra touch and never pulls the trigger when presented with an opportunity. He lacks that ruthlessness in front of goal and Pep Guardiola may have to show that ruthlessness by getting rid of Navas.
Pablo Zabaleta
There’s no question that he has been a fantastic servant to Manchester City but after eight years at the club is his time now up. Last season saw the least amount of game time for the Argentine and at 31 years old he hasn’t quite got that surging pace that saw him bombard down the right flank.
Still a handy player to have but with Bacary Sagna ahead of him in the right back pecking order you have to wonder where Zabaleta will get game time this season. The fact that Sagna is 33 and was still used more than Zabaleta last season also speaks volumes
Could a link up with former manager Roberto Mancini at Inter Milan be on the cards?
Wilifried Bony
Although Manchester City played mostly one up top last season, this meant that the Ivorian Bony was demoted to third choice. He was never going to be chosen ahead of Sergio Aguero and the emergence of Kelechi Iheanacho has only seen his game time further diminish
That said when he was given opportunities he failed to make the most of them and has come nowhere near the £25m price tag that was paid to Swansea for his services. Very close to being marked a flop, that price tag does him no favours then again neither did contracting Malaria
Could Swansea be tempted in buying him back, if they did then they certainly wouldn’t have to part with anywhere near the £25m they received first time around. If The Swans could get him for half of that at £12m then it could still be a decent bit of business
Samir Nasri
In what was an injury struck season last time around, Nasri only managed a total of 7 league appearances after picking up two league winners medals you do have to wonder if Nasri will be sticking around to try and win a third
Is he the kind of player that Pep Guardiola will want his squad let alone his starting eleven. With those injuries that he picked up in the previous campaign will Nasri ever get back to what he considered his best form
It’s hard to remember the last term Nasri had a memorable performance and at 29 years old will there be many more left for him to produce. A sky high wage would possibly put off potential suitors so perhaps a loan move could see the former French international get game time elsewhere.