Man City Transfer News: Manuel Pellegrini To Make Jesus Navas First Signing?
Manuel Pellegrini's first signing as Manchester City manager will be Sevilla winger Jesus Navas, according to the Daily Star. The current Malaga boss is widely tipped to take over from Roberto Mancini, who was sacked by the ex-champions last night having "failed to achieve any of the club's targets, with the exception of qualification for next season's Champions League". And the 59-year old former Real Madrid manager could be joined on the plane to Manchester by winger Navas, a player of whom City's new director of football Txiki Begiristain had tried to sign during his days with Barcelona. Begiristain is said to be a big admirer of the 27-year old while Pellegrini - who has spent nearly a decade managing in La Liga, having had stints with Villarreal, Real Madrid and latterly Malaga - will be well drilled on his strengths and weaknesses having seen him in close quarters over the last 10 years. And the raid on Sevilla doesn't end there. Geoffrey Kondogbia, the 20-year old French midfield starlet, is also on City's wishlist, and has been tracked by the club's scouts for a number of months. Pellegrini had strenuously denied he was set to be unveiled as the new City manager late last weekend but he is now 1/4 favourite with bookmakers Sky Bet to replace the recently axed Mancini.