Man City weighing up bid for Bayer Leverkusen winger Karim Bellarabi

Manchester City, 5/2 with Coral to win the Premier League next season, are considering a bid for Bayer Leverkusen’s Karim Bellarabi according to reports.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side are yet to make a move in the transfer market this summer, though have let Micah Richards and James Milner join Aston Villa and Liverpool on respectively, both for free.

Last summer, they moved slowly in the window, with some saying their signings were below-par and too little too late. Chelsea, meanwhile, having finished second in the Premier League capitalised on City’s complacency to make quality additions.

With a couple of players tipped to move on; Yaya Toure and Samir Nasri the chief suspects, it has been widely acknowledged that the club need quality replacements, as well as more strength in depth.

This could motivate a move for 25-year-old German winger Bellarabi, with a £25m fee likely. Having scored 12 goals and registering six assists last season at the BayArena, he also dazzled defences with his dribbling skills and close ball control.

Should he make the move to the Etihad, he could well slot into one of the attacking berths, servicing the likes of Sergio Aguero or Wilfried Bony.

Also linked recently is Juventus star Paul Pogba. The French midfielder would be the perfect replacement for Toure if he leaves, though would command a fee of at least £70m. City, though, face competition for his signature, with both Barcelona and Chelsea linked.

Should Chelsea land him, it would give them a huge advantage in next season’s Premier League title race, though there are reports that a deal may have been agreed for him to sign for Barcelona and stay in Turin for one more campaign.

City need at least four quality players if they are to challenge next season, especially if personnel leave. Bellarabi could be just the start.