Man City Transfer News

HIT LIST

Joe Hart has returned to form since his absence from the Premier League squad, but rumours continue that Manuel Pellegrini wants more competition for the green (or purple, or yellow) jersey. It's been reported that the agent of Iker Casillas has been in touch with both the Blues and with Arsenal, looking to earn his client a switch after falling down the pecking order at Real Madrid.

On the goalkeeping front, Malaga's Willy Caballero has said he'd listen to offers -- and with his former manager in charge at the Etihad, it was only a matter of time before the connection was made.

Serbian midfielder Nemanja Matic has been heavily linked with a move to the Etihad, as part of a deal that would see Javi Garcia moving back to Benfica in the other direction. With a lot of pressure on Pellegrini to keep Yaya Toure and Fernandinho fit to battle in four competitions, the former Chelsea man might be a good option.

Arguably, Pellegrini's biggest issue this season has been his defence -- with the manager having problems across the back four with injuries throughout the campaign. It's no surprise to see names like Eliaquim Mangalaor Ezequiel Garay being put forward for transfers -- though Porto have warned the Blues off the former by slapping on a 33 million-pound asking price.

Another Porto defender,Nicolas Otamendi, has hinted that he wouldn't say no to a move away -- with City one reported destination, along with Manchester United and Chelsea.

With Sergio Aguero injured andStevan Jovetic facing setback after setback in his battle for fitness, Pellegrini may look to strengthen his strike force -- especially if some players on the exit list do indeed depart.

Finally, it turns out that both Aguero and Toure have been chewing Lionel Messi's ear off about a possible move to Manchester. However, any transfer in January could well be unlikely -- with Pellegrini commenting that he felt happy with his squad.

EXIT LIST
There's one name that tops this list that few wouldn't have seen coming. Edin Dzeko has had the air of a man who knows his time is almost up for quite a while, despite notching up his 50th goal in blue against Crystal Palace. Valencia have been the latest club to be linked with the Bosnian.

However, Pellegrini insisted at the start of December that Dzeko's going nowhere.

Meanwhile, his fellow striker John Guidetti -- who is yet to have a first-team opportunity, despite several occasions this season when the manager may have given him a chance -- is rumoured to be leaving on loan. Malaga are reported to be leading the chase, with Real Betis, Wigan, Swansea, and his former club Feyenoord all also linked.