Manchester City’s bid to sign Lazio left-back Aleksandar Kolarov is still on track, according to the Serbia international’s Italian club (City 13/10 to win Premier League without Chelsea and Manchester United).
Blues boss Roberto Mancini is adding to his squad for a tilt at the Premier League title having joined City midway through last season when Mark Hughes was sacked (City 4/1 – Premier League 2010/11 Outright).
Mancini has so far drafted in David Silva, Yaya Toure and Jerome Boateng, and the arrival of 24-year-old Kolarov is imminent.
Lazio sporting director Igli Tare told Sky Italia: “Kolarov to Manchester City – there are no problems.
“Lazio has already done what it had to do. We are waiting for developments in the coming days.
“It is not important if the figure is £20million or not, what counts is the willingness of both parties to close the deal.”
Kolarov’s arrival at Eastlands raises question marks over the future of former England left-back Wayne Bridge who is being linked with Liverpool.
The Reds released Fabio Aurelio at the end of last season while Emiliano Insua is poised to join Fiorentina any day now.
New Anfield manager Roy Hodgson has already snapped up Joe Cole on a free transfer and has also persuaded captain Steven Gerrard that his future lies on Merseyside (Reds 7/4 – Top 4 Finish).
Those factors will work in Hodgson’s favour if he decides to make a concrete move for Bridge – while the former Fulham chief is now hoping to persuade striker Fernando Torres and midfielder Javier Mascherano to follow Gerrard’s lead.
Hodgson told Sky Sports: “(Managing director) Christian Purslow has been talking to Fernando Torres for the last two days so I think there has probably been lots of words from Fernando Torres but I haven’t actually spoken to him.
“Mascherano is on holiday. He’s not due back until August 5 so when he returns to the club I’ll be speaking to him, not before then.
“Steven wanted time to consider a possible option that he had but I was always optimistic that he would stay with Liverpool because he’s the heart and soul of Liverpool and it would have been a major blow to lose him.”
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