Manchester City Transfers: Mario Balotelli and Other Top Players Who Could Leave

Manchester City are more accustomed to welcoming new arrivals than seeing big-name talent depart.

In the past, the Citizens have reluctantly parted ways with Brazil international Robinho, and tried in desperation to offload Carlos Tevez.

The Citizens cannot rest on their laurels. Now is the time to improve their squad, but, before doing that, they have to part ways with some less established squad members to find the space for new signings.

This slideshow will assess some of the biggest rumours that have been circulating around the press in recent weeks.

Adam Johnson has an important question to ask himself.

At 25 years of age (minus a week), is he happy being a bit-part player for the Citizens? If so, then his future is secure.

The reality is however, that the former Middlesbrough winger has an England career to think about. Yes, if he stays at Manchester City, he will continue to win silverware, but it will compromise his international career.

With players like James Milner, Stewart Downing and Ashley Young failing to impress on the big stage, and Aaron Lennon constantly injured, it would not be impossible for Johnson to force his way into Roy Hodgson’s starting 11.

To do that, he needs first team football. To get that, he needs to leave the Etihad.

Last season, he started just four games Premier League games for Roberto Mancini; the Italian coach instead opted to use him as an impact substitute.

A report in the Metro suggests Liverpool, Everton, Tottenham and Sunderland all feel they could benefit in his services, but he may cost a new club £15 million.

David Silva has been talismanic for the Citizens since his arrival from Valencia two seasons ago.

He was equally as influential for Spain in Euro 2012, scoring the opening goal in the final. His fine form has seen him attract the reported interest of Jose Mourinho—according to the Mirror at least.

The paper has speculated that Real Madrid are preparing a £45 million bid for the 26-year-old winger; however, Mancini’s valuation of the midfield maestro is said to be around £80 million.

There may however be no legitimate cause for concern. According to the Daily Mail, at least.

The paper has reported that David Silva has told the club he wants to remain a Man City player, and representatives of the club are thought to currently be in negotations with the European Champion.

TalkSPORT has reported that Nigel De Jong has attracted the gaze of Inter Milan, who may be preparing a £6.4 million bid for the Dutch international.

Inter finished sixth in Serie A last season, meaning that the 2010 Champions of Europe will play no part in the 2012-13 Champions League campaign.

Wesley Sneijder is rumoured by the same source to be convincing De Jong to make the move.  

De Jong arrived at the Etihad in 2009, costing City £18 million. Despite his hefty transfer fee, he managed just 11 Premier League starts last season.

According to the Daily Mail, AC Milan are also interested in the 27 year old, who has one year remaining on his contract.

According to the Daily Mail, Edin Dzeko will not be moving to Bayern Munich, despite speculating linking the two for some months.

The Bosnian forward, who scored in Manchester City’s decisive season finale against QPR, has struggled to replicate the goal-scoring form that earned him a £27 million transfer from Wolfsburg.

Munich has instead opted to sign Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic after his imperious display at Euro 2012.

Despite this, Sportsmail still claims that the Bosnian is surplus to requirements on the blue side of transfer, so a transfer still seems likely.

The Daily Star has reported that Manchester City have refuted claims that they are trying to move the £18 million left back on, however Kolarov’s future with the club remains uncertain.

Gael Clichy has established himself as the club’s first choice centre back and, although Kolarov is a valuable member of the squad, he may find his first team responsibilities reduced in the new campaign.

It would not be possible to write an article such as this without slotting in Carlos Tevez somewhere.

The Argentine striker serves an obvious use on the pitch but has persistently been a nuisance to Manchester City off of it.

The Sun has reported that Real Madrid is interested in signing the 28-year-old striker, with City’s asking price being a cool £25 million.

The Citizens are believed to want to move on Tevez as they prepare a £20 million bid for Arsenal’s Robin Van Persie.

The Daily Star and The Guardian have both linked Joleon Lescott in a move to Anfield in a deal that could see Daniel Agger or Martin Skrtel arrive at the Etihad.

The rumour is shocking in the sense that Lescott was arguably the best English centre back in the Premier League last season. He formed a solid partnership with Vincent Kompany and would often lead the defence when Kompany was suspended.

He also looked solid for England in the national team’s mediocre performance at Euro 2012.

Lescott arrived at City three seasons ago in a £22 million deal from Everton.

Andrea Pirlo has told his Italian compatriot that he would be better suited under his wing than the watchful eye of Roberto Mancini.

The claim comes from the Metro, who report the 33-year-old saying:

“Would I take Balotelli to Juventus? Of course I would. I'd gladly take him to Turin. Mario is a guy who needs you to stay close to him.

“I know how to talk to him. We both come from Brescia and when we are in the national team we speak in dialect,” Pirlo said.

The same story is shared by the Daily Mail, however, The Sun reports Balotelli saying he is happy to stay at the Etihad.

“The City fans always want me, even though they are British — and I have helped eliminate their national team,” the 21-year-old said.

It’s easy to forget that Wayne Bridge is a Manchester City player.

The England international has made just three appearances for the Citizens in the past two seasons as he has been loaned out to West Ham and Sunderland.

Brighton are the latest club to be interested in signing the left back, on a loan contract at least. The Daily Mail reports that the two clubs have agreed to split Bridge’s £90,000-a-week wage between them.

The Telegraph has gone one step further by reporting that the transfer could be made by the end of the day.