Navas can inspire Man City's title tilt

Christian Crowther dips into the latest transfer rumours and assesses some of the potential big-money moves and how they could affect the markets...

It appears Sheikh Mansour is going to be quick to sign his first big cheque of the summer, with or without a manager installed at the Etihad Stadium.

Sevilla and Spain winger Jesus Navas is reportedly very close to making a £25 million switch to City this summer after the wide man talked up the prospective move in Spanish paper Marca.

Navas said: "I like Manchester City a lot and it has great players. Manchester City have done all they can to bring me in and I have to be grateful for that. I want to go on and win trophies."

Further evidence the Navas' deal with City is now all but a formality was backed up by Sevilla manager Unai Emery who said: "Everything indicates he will leave."

The 27-year-old has been a key member of his country's last two international tournament victories and, although he's not had a prolific season, he's technically gifted and a regular provider of assists for his club - with six in La Liga this season.

Navas is a technically gifted out-and-out winger in the slightly-built mould of his compatriot David Silva, but prefers to keep the chalk on his boots.

A player of Navas' calibre will be a huge bonus for City and would be certain to aid the Citizens in their 3.55-rated quest to wrestle the Premier League title back from their neighbours in 2013/14.

Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho's return to Chelsea looks set to act as catalyst for a spate of bank-breaking transfers. Apparently on Mourinho's immediate wishlist are Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic, a long-term target of Arsenal, which is sure to ruffle Arsene Wenger's feathers.

Dzeko has endured an indifferent time at the Etihad Stadium in his two-and-a-half-year spell, often left to bemoan his time left on the bench by Roberto Mancini, but still a regular scorer of goals when given the chance - netting 15 times in the season just gone.

Chelsea certainly need strengthening in that department and Dzeko could well be brought in alongside Jotevic given the strength of Roman Abramovich's wallet.

Given Mourinho's Premier League-winning credentials and the undoubted squad strengthening to come, it's unsurprising to see Chelsea as current second favourites for the title at 3.4.

On the flip side, if Jovetic were to arrive at the Bridge and not the Emirates it would signify yet another target lost for Arsenal and could further harm their 14.5-rated chances of a first title in a decade.

Elsewhere, Liverpool could move for Sunderland's 25-year-old Belgian keeper Simon Mignolet if, as reported, Pepe Reina heads to Barcelona as a long-term successor to Victor Valdes, who plans to leave next summer.

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