City open door for Cesc and Zlatan
Posted: Wed May 11, 2011 5:59 amhttp://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport...ml?CMP=OTC-RSS
City open door for Cesc and Zlatan
ESPN staff
May 11, 2011
Roberto Mancini has set his sights on the mind blowing signings Harry Redknapp talked about on Monday, with the Manchester City boss suggesting the door is ajar for Cesc Fabregas and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp inferred on Monday that City had huge signings in the bag, provided they qualified for the Champions League. They did that with a 1-0 win over Tottenham and Mancini can now step up his recruitment process.
The Italian has insisted there are roles at the club for Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko, but he is also looking at recruits.
He was asked which player would turn City into champions and rather than roll out the stock answer of Lionel Messi, he simply stated: "Cesc Fabregas".
Arsenal resisted efforts from Barcelona to prise their captain away from the Emirates Stadium last summer, but with another season without silverware the focus may be on Fabregas again.
How serious Mancini was is not clear, but he certainly has the financial might to test Arsenal's resolve and will likely spend big.
Ibrahimovic worked under Mancini in Italy and he may be available, having been sent on loan to AC Milan by Barcelona.
"If Zlatan wants to come to City, I would immediately find a place for him," Mancini said.
"Our target at the start of the season was to qualify for the Champions League and reach a big final - so we have managed to do that.
"As I said when I arrived, in two or three years, Manchester City can become one of the top clubs in Europe. We have everything you need to do this."
City can cap their season with victory in the FA Cup on Saturday, live on ESPN, and the Italian has urged his players to turn their attentions to Stoke.
He said: "Now we must think of the weekend. This latest win will give us a lift for Saturday."
City open door for Cesc and Zlatan
ESPN staff
May 11, 2011
Roberto Mancini has set his sights on the mind blowing signings Harry Redknapp talked about on Monday, with the Manchester City boss suggesting the door is ajar for Cesc Fabregas and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp inferred on Monday that City had huge signings in the bag, provided they qualified for the Champions League. They did that with a 1-0 win over Tottenham and Mancini can now step up his recruitment process.
The Italian has insisted there are roles at the club for Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko, but he is also looking at recruits.
He was asked which player would turn City into champions and rather than roll out the stock answer of Lionel Messi, he simply stated: "Cesc Fabregas".
Arsenal resisted efforts from Barcelona to prise their captain away from the Emirates Stadium last summer, but with another season without silverware the focus may be on Fabregas again.
How serious Mancini was is not clear, but he certainly has the financial might to test Arsenal's resolve and will likely spend big.
Ibrahimovic worked under Mancini in Italy and he may be available, having been sent on loan to AC Milan by Barcelona.
"If Zlatan wants to come to City, I would immediately find a place for him," Mancini said.
"Our target at the start of the season was to qualify for the Champions League and reach a big final - so we have managed to do that.
"As I said when I arrived, in two or three years, Manchester City can become one of the top clubs in Europe. We have everything you need to do this."
City can cap their season with victory in the FA Cup on Saturday, live on ESPN, and the Italian has urged his players to turn their attentions to Stoke.
He said: "Now we must think of the weekend. This latest win will give us a lift for Saturday."