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Manchester City: Transfer News and Rumour Roundup 9

By Stephen Little

YOKOHAMA, JAPAN - DECEMBER 20: Luis Suarez, Claudio Bravo and Dani Alves of FC Barcelona celebrate with the trophy during the final match between River Plate and FC Barcelona at International Stadium Yokohama on December 20, 2015 in Yokohama, Japan. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images)
YOKOHAMA, JAPAN - DECEMBER 20: Luis Suarez, Claudio Bravo and Dani Alves of FC Barcelona celebrate with the trophy during the final match between River Plate and FC Barcelona at International Stadium Yokohama on December 20, 2015 in Yokohama, Japan. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
(Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images) /

The Increasingly Expensive

Bruno Peres, 26, Torino, Defender

Here’s one that makes my blood boil. We mentioned Peres a few updates ago as a forward minded full back that had grabbed Manchester City’s attention for being almost a perfect fit for Pep’s style. Beating off stiff competition from, seriously, Watford, City made the top bid at around £15million for the Brazilian, which Torino, perhaps understandably rejected. That’s where things seem to have gone south.

It’s not unthinkable that teams would shake off a first bid from City, with so much money available at their disposal, but Torino have, since then, moved the goal posts multiple times on Peres and it’s starting to wear thin. First they wanted £17million, then £20million, then potentially £22million. So far, rumours indicate City have at least matched £17million, but Torino have again rejected it seeking the next level.

Perhaps you think we should just pay Torino the extra few million and get this one done, but I don’t agree. Already paying more than for Nolito, arguably a more desirable player, increasing our bid so quickly is only going to cause other teams to follow suit when City come knocking. Furthermore, the Blues may well need to keep their accounts in order down to even a few million to be able to land a bigger, marquee signing this summer. With links rumoured between Pep’s side and Toni Kroos, Luis Suarez and Thiago, it would be incredibly unfortunate to miss the mark because we jumped to indulge Torino’s greed for a more easily replaced player.

Nonetheless, I do think if Manchester City have exhausted all options they should raise their bid again. Peres is a talent and City’s interest has attracted attention for other clubs who could well swoop in for him. Plus he’s a good player, an upgrade over Gael Clichy in creativity and about on par defensively.

The only issue here really is the price. What looked like a solid pickup at really good value is rapidly becoming an expensive punt on a player who may, given how often Pep rotates his line-up, not see enough time on the park to justify it. Ultimately I do think City and Torino will compromise and Peres will be in the door, just we may need to wait a little longer to see it official.

Next: The Stones Throw Away

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