Ryan Parrish looks at Manchester City's potential replacements for departed striker Carlos Tevez.
Edinson Cavani - Napoli
The Uruguayan striker looks set to leave the Serie A outfit this summer, with Manchester City believed to be tussling with Real Madrid for his signature. Although it is claimed they have
refused to meet the £54million buy-out clause, the price tag is unlikely to deter City's interest having already splashed almost £45million on Jesus Navas and Fernandinho as Manuel Pellegrini prepares for his debut season in England.
| 2012/13 League Season |
Edinson Cavani |
| Team |
Napoli |
| Games Played |
34 |
| Minutes Played |
2981 |
| |
|
| Goals |
29 |
| Minutes per Goal |
102.8 |
| Shots, Total |
134 |
| Shooting Accuracy |
52.2% |
| Conversion Rate |
21.6% |
| |
|
| Assists |
4 |
| Chances Created (inc. assists) |
31 |
|
Having found the net 36 times in all competitions for Napoli last season, Cavani's goal record speaks for itself and he boasts a number of the attributes needed if City are to emulate the formidable partnership Tevez had created with fellow countryman Sergio Aguero. His strength in the air combined with a natural instinct with the ball at his feet means that he could complement Aguero's style of play perfectly up front.
Last season's shortcomings mean that the pressure is now on Pellegrini to deliver instant success for City's big-spending owners. City's early transfer dealings suggest that they mean business this summer and adding Cavani to their ranks would be a sure-fire way to enhance their chances of collecting silverware next term.
Mario Gomez - Bayern Munich
Another striker who could be on the move before the start of the forthcoming campaign is Bayern Munich's Mario Gomez. After a prolific Euro 2012 with Germany, Gomez was hailed as one of the finest forwards in the world, but an injury which kept him out of action at the start of the season saw him lose his place in the side to Mario Mandzukic.
| 2012/13 League Season |
Mario Gomez |
| Team |
Bayern Munich |
| Games Played |
21 |
| Minutes Played |
877 |
| |
|
| Goals |
11 |
| Minutes per Goal |
79.7 |
| Shots, Total |
35 |
| Shooting Accuracy |
54.3% |
| Conversion Rate |
31.4% |
| |
|
| Assists |
1 |
| Chances Created (inc. assists) |
6 |
|
Despite finding opportunities limited, Gomez still managed to net 13 goals in 28 games last season, a more than respectable return for someone who was mainly used as a substitute. The 27-year-old's agent has already said that he will be leaving the Allianz Arena this summer and although he is unlikely to be heading Pellegrini's list of targets, there is no doubt he would have something to offer to any Premier League side.
Unlike Cavani, Gomez is a proven goal scorer at the highest level and his wealth of experience in the UEFA Champions League could go some way to helping City improve their recent European woes. The German has already been linked to a number of Italian clubs, with Napoli and Fiorentina named amongst his potential suitors, but a move to England's top-flight could be key to reviving his career.
Christian Benteke - Aston Villa
Signed for a bargain fee of £7million, Aston Villa's Christian Benteke proved to be a revelation in his debut Premier League season. The Belgian striker signed off with 19 goals to his name, finishing as the league's fourth highest scorer despite his side's battle against relegation.
| 2012/13 League Season |
Christian Benteke |
| Team |
Aston Villa |
| Games Played |
34 |
| Minutes Played |
2823 |
| |
|
| Goals |
19 |
| Minutes per Goal |
148.6 |
| Shots, Total |
73 |
| Shooting Accuracy |
58.9% |
| Conversion Rate |
26.0% |
| |
|
| Assists |
4 |
| Chances Created (inc. assists) |
53 |
|
At the age of 22, Benteke is still far from the finished article, but he has already demonstrated enough to show that he is more than capable of tormenting any defences in England.
A move to a top-four club seems to be inevitable in the near future but any interested parties would be faced with a hugely inflated price tag for someone who was relatively unknown this time last year.
The Belgian was unplayable at the times last season as countless teams failed to deal with his presence and raw power, but his development might be better suited by spending another season at Villa Park rather than being relied upon to spearhead City's attack. A lack of experience in Europe means that a move for Benteke would be a gamble for City and realistically, Pellegrini would likely be more inclined to move for an established marksman.
Hulk - Zenit St Petersburg
Prior to his big-money move to Russia to link up with Zenit St Petersburg, Brazilian striker Hulk was heavily linked with a switch to the Premier League, and
those rumours have resurfaced this summer after his agent claimed that there were offers on the table. Chelsea's recent pursuit of the 26-year old means that they are likely to be back in the chase and if they weren't already, City could also be eyeing up a swoop which could set them back around £35million.
| 2012/13 League Season |
Hulk |
| Team |
Zenit St. Petersburg |
| Games Played |
18 |
| Minutes Played |
1430 |
| |
|
| Goals |
7 |
| Minutes per Goal |
204.3 |
| Shots, Total |
42 |
| Shooting Accuracy |
47.6% |
| Conversion Rate |
16.7% |
| |
|
| Assists |
2 |
| Chances Created (inc. assists) |
38 |
|
After failing to reach double figures in the league it is fair to say that Hulk's debut season in Russia was hit and miss, but in Europe he showed Liverpool fans exactly what he is capable of, scoring in both legs of Zenit's Europa League victory. For a player of his build, Hulk somehow manages to remain agile in front of goal and he could provide the power that Tevez's exit will leave the City strike force lacking.
Hulk's fall-out with manager Luciano Spalletti last season alongside his well-documented tensions with the Zenit supporters after being the target of racial abuse means that he is likely to be open to an exit from Russia. Pellegrini came up against the Brazilian twice last season during Malaga's Champions League campaign and the possibility of linking the striker up with Brazilian team-mate Fernandinho could tempt him into making a bid.
Luis Suarez - Liverpool
Although Liverpool's controversial striker Luis Suarez appears to be on the move to Real Madrid money talks in football and, with City now in need of a striker, they may just be tempted to make an outlandish offer for the Uruguayan whilst he is away at the Confederations Cup. While Suarez has
made no secret of his desire to leave England, the opportunity to reinvent himself and play Champions League football at City could persuade him to stay.
| 2012/13 League Season |
Luis Suárez |
| Team |
Liverpool |
| Games Played |
33 |
| Minutes Played |
2955 |
| |
|
| Goals |
23 |
| Minutes per Goal |
128.5 |
| Shots, Total |
143 |
| Shooting Accuracy |
50.3% |
| Conversion Rate |
16.1% |
| |
|
| Assists |
5 |
| Chances Created (inc. assists) |
90 |
|
The 26-year old would miss the opening six games of the Premier League campaign due to his biting incident in the 2-2 draw with Chelsea, but last season he demonstrated just how much of an asset he can be, often single-handedly picking up points for Liverpool. His 30 goals in all competitions for the Reds proved to be invaluable and he is the type of player who thrives in the big-game occasions, something City struggled with last season.
Possibly the most unrealistic option of the lot, the unpredictable nature of Suarez means that nothing can be ruled out, but it does seem the case that a move to Madrid is currently his first choice. Stranger things have happened in football and there is no doubting that Suarez has the ability to fire City to success next year.
