TRANSFER UPDATE: Džeko, Bridge, Adebayor, SWP, Santa Cruz

Džeko is Edin in the Right Direction

Back by popular demand (more commonly known as a bit of free time on my hands) is the transfer update article, keeping you up-to-date with all the latest activity at Man City. And what better way to kick-off (pun intended) with news of a fantastic addition to the Blues’ squad. Bosnian striker Edin Džeko has joined the club from German side Wolfsburg for a fee just under £27.5m and will almost certainly make his debut at the weekend against Wolves. The 24 year old is a hugely talented player and a proven goalscorer, both at club level and internationally.

Highly rated by many an expert pundit, Džeko is a natural goalscorer, someone whose ability to put the ball in the back of the net from inside the box reminds me of the one and only Shaun Goater. Not content with just his finishing on the ground, the Bosnian is prolific in the air, and is sure to benefit from the quality of delivery provided by the likes of James Milner, Aleks Kolarov, David Silva and Adam Johnson. He is more than capable with both feet, and in the absence of Mario Balotelli, he will need to settle straightaway and start banging in the goals for the Blues.

Wayne Crosses the Bridge Down South

The only other confirmed transfer in recent times is the departure of Wayne Bridge, who has moved on loan to West Ham for the remainder of the season. The vast majority of City fans won’t be too down-heartened at this news, as the former Chelsea defender has fallen down the pecking order at the club and the deal is probably beneficial for all concerned. We have enough cover in the left-back position should the need arise, so to get Bridge off the wage bill is a huge bonus.

Emmanuel AdeByeBye

Although not yet confirmed, it looks like Emmanuel Adebayor will be the next player to depart the Man City ship. The Togo international, whose City career started so brightly with four goals in his first four games, has never seen eye to eye with manager Roberto Mancini. The Italian views him as a troublemaker and someone who is not prepared to put the effort in during training to earn his place in the starting eleven. Real Madrid are a possible destination although Malaga have emerged in the past couple of days as a feasible outlet, flush as they are with money following a recent takeover. The arrival of Džeko has pushed him further down the pecking order and he would not be a great loss if he were to depart.

Shaun to be SWePt Away From Eastlands

It appears that the popular, diminutive winger may be on his way from the Blues for the second time, with rumoured interest from a number of Premier League clubs. Despite his love for City, Wright-Phillips isn’t up to the level we desire and his performances so far this season have been less than impressive. He is someone who needs to  playing week in week out to recapture the form of which he is capable, and a move, whether permanent or temporary, would do him the world of good. Blackburn, Fulham, Wigan and Liverpool have all been linked him, so it would be no surprise to see him leave.

Santa Fails to Deliver the Goods

One further player who seems to be on his way out is Paraguay international Roque Santa Cruz. Plagued with injuries since he joined the Blues, his City career (just like my idea for a plane with only one wing) never took off. Mancini has repeatedly praised his attitude and professionalism but the manager has never been convinced with Santa Cruz’s quality. For what it’s worth, my opinion is that he is still a decent player and a better bet than Jo to score goals. It’s a shame things never worked out for Santa Cruz, but he may well be reunited with former club Blackburn in the near future. One could say that he was never in Cruz control at City – it was a Roque road for him, but I wish him all the best.