Manchester City round-up: Newcastle set for double swoop; Pablo Zabaleta wanted; summer overhaul planned

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According to reports in the Daily Mail, newly-promoted Newcastle United are set to embark on a shock double swoop for Manchester City’s Fernando and Eliaquim Mangala during the summer window.

It is claimed that Magpies manager Rafael Benitez will be given £100 million to invest in Premier League experience over the summer, and the Spaniard has reportedly already singled out the City duo.

The report suggests that Benitez has already met with Manchester City’s director of football, Txiki Begiristain, about a move for centre-back Mangala and defensive midfielder Fernando.

Mangala, 26, has been on-loan at La Liga side Valencia for the current season after failing to stamp his mark in the Manchester City defence and it’s believed he’s not part of Pep Guardiola’s future plans.

Valencia have opted not to trigger a clause in his contract to make the deal permanent, leaving Guardiola keen to get back as much of the £42 million fee as possible.

Likewise Fernando has found himself on the peripheral of the City squad this season, only managing five Premier League starts in 14 appearances, and he is likely to be used even less next year if he stays.

Another man seemingly heading for the exit door at the Etihad is veteran right-back Pablo Zabaleta, with The Sun claiming that the Argentine is set for a big-money move to rivals West Ham.

The 32-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and, with Guardiola looking to bring youth into his defence, it’s unlikely that Zabaleta would get much first-team football next season.

Reports are now suggesting that Premier League rivals West Ham are set to offer Zabaleta a two-year deal in London worth £100,000-a-week, as well as regular first-team football, to tempt him.

The Argentine has only made 18 appearances in the league this season, being over-looked as Guardiola has changed to a three-man defensive system, and a move away is looking ever likely.

These potential exits are all part of Pep Guardiola’s summer overhaul, according to the Manchester Evening News, with the Spaniard clearing squad players in order to strengthen his side for next year.

The report claims that the City boss has been given a £200 million budget to turn his squad into a title-challenging side – but in order to spend it, he needs to get rid of non-essential players.

Yaya Toure, Willy Caballero, Bacary Sagna, Pablo Zabaleta, Gael Clichy and Jesus Navas are all out of contract at the end of the season, and it is expected that at least four of these will be released.

In addition to this, Joe Hart, Samir Nasri, Mangala, Wilfried Bony and Jason Denayer have been out on-loan at other clubs this year – and will return over summer – and their futures will need sorting.

It is alleged that the majority of these players will make way in order to clear salaries from the wage bill at the Etihad – therefore paving the way for big-money signings to be made by Guardiola.

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