Manchester City are looking to plunder North London once again by putting together a £25M summer swoop for Tottenham’s midfielder Sandro.
The Brazilian powerhouse has been a huge success in the Premier League since his move from Internacional in late 2010 and his blend of class and muscle has seen him dominate many a midfield tussle. It’s these qualities that greatly appeal to Roberto Mancini who is looking to over-haul his engine room next term with chief enforcer Nigel De Jong increasingly appearing to be on his way out.
De Jong has still to sign a contract extension – a protracted stalemate that led to unsuccessful attempts by Juventus and Galatasaray to prise him away from City this January – and with only a year remaining on it the blues will be seeking to move the Dutchman on this summer for a fee.
Mancini’s preferred target remains Roma’s talisman Danielle De Rossi but he has recently staked his future with the Seri A giants as they attempt to build their future around him.
According to our sources this has prompted the scarfed one to pinpoint Sandro as the ideal alternative to bolster City’s aspirations for domestic and European glory.
The 22 year old is fast blossoming into a major talent and already has 9 caps for his country with many over there believing he could develop into a long-term captain for the samba boys. In just eighteen months at the Lane he has established himself as a pivotal figure and an untimely injury last season is widely viewed to be a significant factor in Spurs ultimately missing out on a Champion’s League place.
Though such a move is sure not to be a smooth transaction it is thought surprisingly little depends on whether Spurs attain a top four spot this time out although the uncertain future of Harry Redknapp at the club will clearly be a determining issue in City’s ambitious bid. Should Redknapp leave to take up the national job and Tottenham struggle to quickly replace him the instability might well accelerate proceedings and ensure City get their man before a pre-season ball is kicked.
With sustained speculation surrounded the future of Robin van Persie at the Emirates – with City reputedly in the driving seat for his costly signature – it has all the makings of another North London/Manchester transfer bloodbath in the months ahead.
