---
title: "City set sights on alternative attacking option?"
canonical: "https://readmancity.com/2015/07/03/city-set-sights-on-alternative-attacking-option/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Josh Lawless"
section: "Uncategorized"
published: "2015-07-03T19:23:14Z"
modified: "2015-07-03T20:24:26Z"
---

# City set sights on alternative attacking option?

According to the Manchester Evening News, City have been offered Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik as an alternative to Raheem Sterling or Kevin De Bruyne.

As per journalist James Robson, Manuel Pellegrini is keen on strengthening the Blues’ attacking talents this summer, with Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling the names prominent in City’s transfer news.

But reports on the situations of both players seem to change by the day, with Liverpool demanding £50m for want-away attacker Sterling while De Bruyne is also expected to command a similar fee and members of the Wolfsburg hierarchy have already been talking as though the Belgian will sign a new contract.

Hamsik has a emerged as an option, as he is capable of playing a variety of roles in attack and would likely be available for a smaller fee. It is thought around £20m would be enough to prize away the Slovakian, who could be part of a considerable clear-out at Napoli after Rafa Benitez departed for Real Madrid.

He shone against City back in their first stint in the Champions League in 2011/12, when the Naples side pipped City to qualify for the knockout stages.

It is noted in the original article that Pellegrini plans on bringing in a Barcelona-like three man forward line next season, and that would require players with versatility. De Bruyne and Sterling are both capable of playing in a number of roles and if City can’t bring them in, they will need a back-up plans. Hamsik appears to be that back-up plan.

He hit 15 goals for club and country last term and could be a worthwhile investment, especially with Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic set to move away.