The January transfer window is fast approaching, and not a day goes by without Manchester City being linked to a big-name player. It’s obvious that coach Sven Goran Eriksson wants to bolster his side –which is just seven points behind league-leader Arsenal — for the second half of the season, and it seems like owner Thaksin Shinawatra is willing to give him the funds to do so.
Liverpool’s Javier Mascherano is one of the names being linked to the Manchester club. Mascherano wants to stay at Anfield, although it would cost the club $34 million to keep him, per the loan agreement drafted by his agent/manager Kia Joorabchian. Thaksin hinted that City would be interested if Liverpool fails to keep the Argentine midfielder. “[Dietmar] Hamman is getting old,” Thaksin said of City’s starting central midfielder. “We’re looking at a new midfielder who we think will play very well with Elano.”
Another option the club is pursuing, the former Thai prime minister says, is “a swap deal” for out-of-favor Inter Milan striker Adriano. He didn’t mention which player(s) he would sacrifice for the Brazilian. “Adriano was a top player, but he lost form when his father died, and he put on weight,” Thaksin said. “Now he’s returning to form.”