With the FFP sanctioning on Manchester City, Manuel Pellegrini will need to make very smart choices in selecting his upcoming signings during the transfer window. They cannot make unnecessary buys unless they really need them and will look add players who can make an immediate impact.
City have a very star-studded side with a lot of friendly competition for places, but is lacking any real stable partnership in the back line. Vincent Kompany is the only centre-back who will be selected week in week out as the club will need to search for a permanent fix.
We take a look at SIX players that can make and instant impact upon joining the club in order to help them retain the league trophy as well as battle it out in Europe.
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Isco
Name: Isco
Age: 22
Position: Attacking Midfield
Nationality: Spain
Club: Real Madrid
Price: £25 - £30 million
Although Manchester City already have a star-studded midfield, the addition of Isco could give Manuel Pellegrini’s squad extra depth in their bids to challenge for more trophies, especially the Champions League.
The fact that Real Madrid will need to balance their books since their signing of James Rodriguez, they could allow the likes of Isco to leave the club for a much cheaper price than expected. His bid for first time football could be another factor pushing him towards a La Liga exit.
Eliaquim Mangala
Name: Eliaquim Mangala
Age: 23
Position: Centre-Back
Nationality: France
Club: FC Porto
Price: £20 - £25 million
Manchester City have their fair share of right and left backs, but somehow lack adequate cover in central defence. Although they have one of the best centre-backs in the English Premier League with Vincent Kompany, they don’t have somehow who is capable of creating a long term partnership with him.
Mangala is somebody who has been impressive over the past season and could easily step into the physicality of the league as he could use Kompany as his role model. Manuel Pellegrini should consider added him into his defence if he wants to avoid any last minute season defying injuries.
Paul Pogba
Name: Paul Pogba
Age: 21
Position: Central Midfield
Nationality: France
Club: Juventus
Price: £40 - £45 million
Paul Pogba recently won the award for best young player at the World Cup and if that isn’t enough to show just how good it is, then nothing will sway you. Having him in the squad will be seen as an instant boost in quality as he won’t need too much time to adapt to the English game.
Having been let go from Manchester United, Pogba could want the chance to hit back at his former employers to show just how big a mistake they made when they considered him to not be good enough to play for United. Since he already made a few Red Devils appearances in the past, he would already know how the game is played.
Diego Godin
Name: Diego Godin
Age: 28
Position: Centre-Back
Nationality: Uruguay
Club: Atletico Madrid
Price: £20 - £25 million
Diego Godin is another centre-back that could easily step into the Manchester City defensive role and make an instant impact with his vast experience for club and country. Having been part of the Atletico Madrid that boast the best La Liga defensive record as well as winning the entire league proves that he is an amazing player.
As a defender he even managed to net seven goals the previous season, only with a vital headed goal for the Uruguayan national team that defeated Italy 1-0 at the World Cup. His aerial presence both in attack and defence is a huge asset to whichever team can acquire his services.
Mats Hummels
Name: Mats Hummels
Age: 25
Position: Centre-Back
Nationality: Germany
Club: Borussia Dortmund
Price: £25 - £30 million
Mats Hummels made himself one of the world’s best centre-backs with his display at the World Cup as he showcased his talents both defensively and in the attack. He managed to net two goals in Brazil, the most important one being the all important header against France that ended the match at 1-0.
Although being heavily linked with league rivals Manchester United, any concrete deal isn’t in negotiations leaving a possibility he could consider a switch elsewhere. Hummels is someone who can surely form a long-term partnership with club captain Vincent Kompany.
Raphael Varane
Name: Raphael Varane
Age: 21
Position: Centre-Back
Nationality: France
Club: Real Madrid
Price: £25 - £30 million
Dubbed as one of the best young centre-backs in the world, Manchester City should really consider making a move for Raphael Varane. Although only 21, he has a stable role at Real Madrid as well as for the French national team where he continues to impress. If they ever want to find a suitable replacement for Vincent Kompany, then this is as close as they will get.
Latest rumours suggest that Varane is still considering his options and he is still waiting for a new contract offer which will see him triple his current salary so that he can be more in par with other Real Madrid stars. Should talks of a new deal be put on hold, Manuel Pellegrini may want to find a way lure him away from Spain.