Aleksandar Kolarov has reportedly gone back on his wishes to move back to Serie A this summer, instead now wanting to remain at The Blues according to the Manchester Evening News. Roberto Mancini and Inter Milan had been linked with a move for the Serbian, but it is thought that wages are too big of an issue for the Italian club.
Before he came to City, Kolarov enjoyed a successful spell in Serie A with Lazio, from whom he came to Manchester in the summer of 2010 for around £16 million. Since then he’s enjoyed a mixed time at City, with lots of praise for his attacking ability – with many seeing him as superior to Gael Clichy in that respect – whilst he’s also garnered criticism for his defensive play. However, his defending his improved as the years have passed.
Earlier this season, some expected the 29-year-old to make the move back to Italy this summer, with the defender telling Sky Italia “I’d like to return to Italy, but it’s difficult.” It now appears to the MEN that he would like to remain at City past this summer, having played the final six league games of the season ahead of his French counterpart.
Despite that, he could still be allowed to leave with City having been linked to several younger left-backs in recent months, including Ricardo Rodriguez and Layvin Kurzawa, while Blues youngster Angelino is also thought highly of at Eastlands. If someone is being brought in for that position this summer, then it’s not difficult to see one of either Clichy or Kolarov departing. It’s more difficult to work out which one would go.
