Man City transfer watch: Negredo leads list of 5 leaving club

It’s been a difficult few days for Manchester City fans with those of the Sky Blue persuasion forced, firstly, to watch their team lose 1-0 at home to Stoke and then see their neighbours United swoop for a series of megastars.

All the while things at the Etihad have been quiet, with the only major transfers concerning the club involving players leaving the Eastlands for pastures new.

As many as five players could be departing the club in the next few hours – here’s an easy breakdown of the individuals and teams involved.

Alvaro Negredo to Valencia

The undoubted headline move of the day, Negredo looks set to return to Spain with Valencia as part of a season-long loan deal that could turn into a permanent £20m switch come the end of the season.

Currently sidelined with a metatarsal injury, Manuel Pellegrini is thought to be against selling the striker this late in the transfer window but with Negredo without a goal for the Premier League champions since January, it would appear City are prepared to cut their losses.

Micah Richards to Fiorentina

Keen to play more regularly, following a season spent on the fringes of the City squad, few would begrudge Richards a move away from the club, though it does bring his 14-year association with Citizens to an end.

Previously linked with moves to fellow Premier League sides Sunderland and Newcastle, Richards has instead opted to follow Ashley Cole with a move to Serie A. He is currently locked in talks with Fiorentina over a move that will see him sign on loan with the Viola until the end of the season.

Scott Sinclair to Stoke or Swansea

Long expected to depart the Etihad after falling down the pecking order under Pellegrini, Newcastle United have already ruled out a move for Sinclair, who was reportedly offered to the Magpies earlier in the summer.

West Brom are also thought to be against a move and while Swansea are the favourites to bring the Englishman back to the club where he previously thrived, Stoke could yet come in for the winger if they fail in their pursuit of other midfield targets.

Matija Nastasic to another Premier League club

The emergence of Martin Demichelis coupled with the signing of Eliaqium Mangala from Porto has seen Nastasic struggle to break back into the City first-team despite largely impressing for the club over the last two years.

Linked with moves to the likes of Everton and Tottenham, Nastasic could move on a temporary loan deal that would allow the Sky Blues to bring the youngster back to the club should he thrive elsewhere.

John Guidetti to Palermo or Celtic

The young Swede had been expected to sign for Feyenoord earlier in the summer, having been linked with a move back to the Eredivisie side where he scored 20 goals in 23 games back in 2012.

However while Palermo had looked like the most likely destination, with the Italian club keen to replace Hull new boy Abel Hernandez, Celtic have emerged as the new front-runners to recruit the 22-year-old, with Bhoys fans keen for the club to bring in a marquee signing.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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