Manchester City are ready to splash the cash this summer with
money-spinning bids for Argentine sensation Angel di Maria and
Aston Villa winger Ashley Young as doubts linger over the future of
troublesome striker Craig Bellamy at Eastlands.
The Wales international has reportedly fallen out with Italian
boss Roberto Mancini and a move for the left-sided attacking
Benfica star would appear to signal his exit.
Young is also highly-fancied by the mega rich club who may
offload the likes of Bellamy, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Martin
Petrov at the end of the season, the latter two both playing
hard-ball over new contracts much to the club's chagrin.
City slicker: Manchester City are reportedly keen
to land Villa's Ashley Young (R)
Young's Villa team-mate James Milner is also well regarded by
City's football administrator Brian Marwood but he could cost
upwards of £24million.
The mega rich club remain in strong contention to finish fourth
and qualify for the Champions League next season, hopeful that
their place in Europe's elite competition will help them attract a
host of exciting big-name stars this summer.
And there is an increasing interest in Di Maria, 22, and his
Benfica team-mate Oscar Cardozo after City's technical director
Mike Rigg revealed the club are keen on the pair.
'Di Maria and Cardozo are two excellent players, very strong in
their respective positions, and highly-rated in the international
market,' said Rigg.
In and out: Angel di Maria could replace Craig
Bellamy at Eastlands this summer
'It is logical that a club like Manchester City have to be
attentive to players with such potential. Di Maria and Cardozo are
two fantastic players.'
With Benfica desperate to keep hold of the in-demand duo, City
would have to bid around £35million for Carlos Tevez's
international pal Di Maria, who recently penned a new deal with the
Portuguese outfit including a costly escape clause in the five-year
contract which expires in 2015.
Paraguay forward Cardozo would cost around £10million and could
replace compatriot Roque Santa Cruz who has struggled to settle
since he signed for City from Barclays Premier League rivals
Blackburn Rovers last summer.