Alvaro Negredo has revealed he is ‘happy’ and ‘settled’ at Manchester City F.C. amid reports linking him with a return to Spain.
The Spain international, 28, joined City from Sevilla FC for £16.4 million, with add-ons, last summer and looked to be one of the signings of the season at the start of the 2013/14 campaign.
However, a lengthy goal-scoring drought saw Negredo lose his first-team place to Bosnia and Herzegovina superstar Edin Džeko, who helped fire City to the English Premier League title, netting five goals in his last four league appearances.
Negredo last scored for City away to West Ham United in the Capital One Cup on 21 January. Despite bagging a brace on that day, the Spaniard failed to find the back of the net in his final 18 appearances last term. Woeful.
City are looking to bring in France defender Eliaquim Mangala, for a fee of around £32 million, from F.C. Porto and could use some cash from the potential sale of Negredo to facilitate the transaction.
Furthermore, Manuel Pellegrini must sell one of his foreign stars, if he decides to bring in another defender from abroad, to meet Premier League requirements for ‘homegrown’ players next season.
All signs seem to be suggesting a City exit for Negredo but the player has insisted he wants to stay put.
“I don’t want to leave City,” Negredo said. “I’m very happy and very settled here.
“I had a difficult end to the season and that’s why there has been a lot of talking but I’ve been very happy here from the first day I arrived.”
When asked about rumours indicating he is feeling homesick, Negredo added: “No. Maybe a bit more on the personal side than when we talk about football but I don’t cry easily.
“I am sensible but I have to love that person a lot to feel homesick.”
Negredo tallied 26 goals and six assists in 52 appearances, including 31 starts, in all competitions for the Premier League champions last season.
Bayern in talks with Real Madrid over Toni Kroos
FC Bayern Munich Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has confirmed the club are in talks with Real Madrid over the transfer of highly-rated Germany international ace Toni Kroos.
Kroos, who was named the 2014 FIFA World Cup: Man of the Match against Brazil in the infamous 7-1 semi-final, earned a score of 9.79 out of 10 for his performances in Brazil, according to the FIFA-approved Castrol Index.
Kroos, whose current contract at the Allianz Arena is due to expire next summer, has also been linked with Chelsea and Manchester United but the UEFA Champions League winners are reportedly closing in the securing the midfield maestro.
“Nothing is official yet, however he could be sold for a certain fee,” Rummenigge said.
“I can confirm that Toni and us are in talks with Real Madrid.”
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
