Manchester City linked with unlikely replacements for Carlos Tevez

Carlos Tevez looks set to move to Juventus and City have been linked with some very unlikely replacements

Reports emanating from Italy, confirmed on Sky Sports suggest that Italian giants Juventus have agreed a £10million fee with Manchester City for Argentinian striker Carlos Tevez.

The 29-year-old is out-of-contract next summer and has been linked with Juve’s domestic rivals AC Milan, a link which the Rossoneri have dismissed as erroneous.

Loss

Although Carlos Tevez has had a controversial Manchester City career, his loss will be a big one if he moves on this summer.

The striker started to look like he was getting back to his best last season, scoring 16 goals in all competitions.

His hardworking style and energy is infectious and sometimes inspires his teammates to work harder. The Argentinian provides far more than just goals.

Options

Without Tevez new City boss Manuel Pellegrini only really has two striking options in Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko and Tevez’s compatriot Sergio ‘Kun’ Aguero. City also have highly rated young Swedish striker John Guidetti, who spent last season in City’s development team.

City started last season with four strikers, Tevez, Aguero, Dzeko, and Mario Balotelli, who moved to AC Milan in the January transfer window. When Tevez moves that will leave Manuel Pellegrini’s options very limited for next season.

Targets

City have been linked with a number of very unlikely striking targets already this summer. Here is a selection of those:

Edinson Cavani (Napoli)

The Uruguayan has a buyout clause of £54million in his contract, which the player himself has stated is far too high. The Azzurri are steadfastly sticking to only accepting the release clause and City do not seem prepared to meet the clause.

Cavani has been sending admiring glances in the direction of Spanish giants Real Madrid. However, with a new boss arriving in the Spanish capital it is unsure if Cavani will still be wanted at the Bernabeu next season.

Luis Suarez (Liverpool)

The controversial striker has repeatedly stated he wants to leave Liverpool, but he is another player that seems to be looking to Real Madrid as an escape route from his current club. Suarez’s excuse for leaving Liverpool is that the British press are victimising him.

If that is the case, then the link with a move to Manchester City is completely incorrect. If Suarez did make a big money move to Eastlands then he would make many Reds fans very angry. He would also look like a complete and utter liar.

It looks like an unlikely move, but in football, you just never know. I would never rule anything out when it comes to the transfer market.

Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)

Another unlikely transfer, but another player that has been linked with a big money transfer to Eastlands. Rooney has been linked with a move to City since before the striker signed a new contract with the Red Devils.

Rooney handed in a transfer request towards the end of last season. The England international has been linked with PSG and even more incredibly Barcelona. Where Rooney’s future lies is unclear, but it looks doubtful that Eastlands will be his new home.

Robert Lewandowski (Dortmund)

The prolific Dortmund striker has repeatedly stated his desire to leave the Ruhr club in recent months. The Champions League finalists have stated they do not intend to sell the Polish international this summer.

Lewandowski’s contract expires next summer and could move for nothing. However, it seems the striker would prefer a move this summer. Bayern Munich look favourites to capture the striker, but Lewandowski would be a more realistic option than the other listed targets.

Realistic

New City boss Manuel Pellegrini will have forward targets in mind and will be realistic about which players he can sign this summer. The realism is not to do with money, more like the players that will fit into how the Chilean wants to play.

I am sure that Manchester City will add some strikers to their squad this summer, but I do not think the names Rooney, Suarez, or Cavani will be appearing on the Manchester City teamsheet anytime soon.

Which strikers will arrive at Manchester City this summer?