London – Manchester City are ready to begin a £60million-plus overhaul of their squad with summer moves for Napoli’s Edinson Cavani and Celtic’s Victor Wanyama.
Manager Roberto Mancini and football director Txiki Begiristain have recognised the need to freshen up the under-performing Barclays Premier League champions and will offload at least four players to help satisfy the demands of Uefa’s financial fair play guidelines.
City opened talks over a move for Napoli’s prolific forward Cavani last month and were initially put off by his £52m release clause.
However, with Chelsea in pole position for Atletico Madrid’s Colombian superstar Radamel Falcao, City have returned to the Uruguay international and are prepared to break the British transfer record to sign him.
Cavani is currently Serie A’s leading scorer with 18 goals, helping his club to second place, five points behind leaders and the defending champions Juventus.
Both Napoli and Cavani’s representatives are aware of City’s intention to pursue the 25-year-old during the summer transfer window. But Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are also poised to bid.
Mancini missed out on signing Robin van Persie from Arsenal last summer and has bemoaned the fact ever since.
City have fallen 12 points behind neighbours Manchester United in the Barclays Premier League title race.
And the club’s hierarchy are determined not to miss out on another top target.
City will help offset their outlay by selling £25m-rated striker Edin Dzeko in the summer.
The 26-year-old Bosnia forward is wanted in Italy and Germany and is keen to kickstart his career after playing a supporting role this season.
He will be followed by other big-name sacrifices as City also look to bring in a new centre back and defensive midfielder.
Meanwhile, Celtic powerhouse Wanyama was watched by City scouts on Tuesday night against Juventus and they were joined in the crowd by representatives from Chelsea and Arsenal.
The Kenyan, who impressed despite playing the second half with an injured ankle, has also been watched by Manchester United.
He is valued at £10m, however the 21-year-old has only 16 months left on his contract and will be eager to join City’s all-star squad. – Daily Mail