The silly season is in full swing, and American players are not immune to the frenzy of rumor and speculation and the occasional confirmation of interest.
Manchester City coachRoberto Mancini has confirmed the club might bid for Landon Donovan, yet stopped short of saying Donovan is one of the team’s primary transfer targets. It has alreadysigned internationals Yaya Toure and David Silva. A source familiar with the club’s acquisition dealings said Man City sent a scout to watch Donovan in“all four games” he played for the USA at the 2010 World Cup.
Still, the club has spent heavily since being bought by Arabian billionaire Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed AlNahyan, though by his performances at the World Cup Donovan has probably boosted his price from about $8 to $10 million before the World Cup to about $15 million — an amount the Los AngelesGalaxy might accept. (U.S. striker Jozy Altidore went to Villarreal two seasons ago for $10 milllion).
“Donovan is a good player,” Mancini said when asked if atransfer was likely. “It could be possible.”