ALVARO NEGREDO BREAKS BONE IN FOOT; SET TO BE OUT FOR THREE MONTHS
Manchester City striker Alvaro Negredo is set to miss ‘several months’ of the forthcoming season after sustaining an injury just before half time in a pre-season game against Hearts which City won 2-1.
Negredo, 28, is reported to have fractured a bone in his 5th metatarsal and pictures of his foot in a protective cast have emerged.
Fellow Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko has already tweeted his support for Negredo, saying:
“Keep your head up pal. I’m sure you’ll come back stronger than ever. This team needs you!” said Dzeko.
Support for the Spain striker, who was omitted from the final squad that failed to qualify from the group stage in the World Cup in Brazil, has come from City fans on social media.
The big frontman, nicknamed ‘The Beast’ by Manchester City fans, had been linked to a summer departure to Real Madrid but will now have to settle for a long recuperation.
Negredo had also recently reiterated his desire to stay at the Etihad despite news that Real was tracking him after selling Alvaro Morata to Juventus for £15.8m.
He said: “I don’t want to leave City. I’m very happy and very settled here.”
City manager Manuel Pellegrini might have considered selling Negredo prior to his injury but might not have to move into the transfer market to replace Negredo with fellow strikers Sergio Aguero and Stevan Jovetic available for selection alongside Dzeko last season.
Swedish striker John Guidetti is also in City’s squad but has been recently monitored by Southampton following the departure of Rickie Lambert to Liverpool.
City have started early in the transfer market this summer, with Fernando joining from Porto, Bacary Sagna from Arsenal and Willy Caballero from Malaga.
Eliaquim Mangala could join City from Porto with an offer on the table but there have been no indications of a move for a striker even with Negredo linked to a move away recently.