Official: City capture Bianchi

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Manchester City are set to land Reggina striker Rolando Bianchi in a €13million(£8.7million) deal, according to reports in Italy.

City have jumped to the front of the queue to land the 24-year-old, who was the fourth top-scorer in Serie A last season.

Newly promoted giants Napoli and Juventus were both keen on keeping Bianchi in Italy, whilst Arsenal and Porstmouth were also strongly linked - but it seems City are firm favourites to clinch his signature.

Reggina president Lillo Foti has confirmed that Bianchi was set to be sold to a foreign club.

"The operation should be done in the next few hours," said Foti.

"Will he go abroad? There is a good possibility.

"The boy would like to remain in Italy, to have the chance with the national team - but there are important offers and he has the ability and characteristics to assert himself, without being here.

"Juventus and Napoli both said they would satisfy our demands - that was in excess of €10million - but the two clubs have done nothing."

With a move looking likely, Bianchi has stressed that he would have few problems with plying his trade away from Italy.

"I could go to a foreign club," Bianchi told Rai Sport.

"I have never discarded any opportunity, from an Italian point of view to stay in Italy does appeal - but that is difficult.

"Then there is the consideration of the other offers which are foreign."

Source: Skysports

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Reggina confirm City deal

Reggina have confirmed they have reached agreement with Manchester City for the sale of striker Rolando Bianchi.

As skysports.com reported on Tuesday, City have jumped into pole position to land Bianchi - ahead of the likes of Juventus and Napoli.

Now the Serie A club have confirmed that they are set to sell their prized asset to City.

"We have reached a preliminary agreement with Manchester City for the permanent transfer of Rolando Bianchi to the English club in €13million euros (£8.7million) transfer deal," Reggina president Lillo Foti confirmed.

"The deal will be completed on Wednesday."

Bianchi is now in line to become the first signing of the Sven Goran Eriksson era at City.

Meanwhile, Eriksson has wasted little time in reorganising some of City's pre-season and he will take his new club to his homeland.

City will attend a training camp in Varberg and will play games against Orgryte (July 18th) and Carlstad United (July 21st).

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Reggina continue City talks

Reggina have confirmed that talks with Manchester City over the transfer of striker Rolando Bianchi are progressing.

A near £9million has been agreed between the two parties and the two clubs are just hammering out the finer details of the agreement.

"The negotiations are going forward and there is a willingness for an agreement," Reggina president Lillo Foti told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"There are no problems at the moment and I think it will be shortly concluded."

City boss Sven Goran Eriksson will hope to have Bianchi's signature in place by the weekend as he pursues other transfer targets.

Reports suggest that the Italian is due to fly into Manchester in the next 24 hours to complete a medical ahead of signing his City contract.

Source: Skysports

[Mighty T.A.L.]

City wrap up Bianchi capture

Manchester City have completed the capture of Reggina striker Rolando Bianchi for an undisclosed free.

The 24-year-old, who will wear the City number 10 shirt, becomes new manager Sven Goran Eriksson's first signing.

Bianchi was Serie A's fourth highest scorer last term with an impressive 18-goal haul, scoring the goals that helped retain Reggina's top-flight status.

Former England boss Eriksson believes Bianchi has a great future ahead of him in the game and is hoping his recent goalscoring record continues at City.

"He scored nearly 20 goals last season in Serie A, which is a lot of goals in such a difficult league," he told the club's official website.

"He's young, and I think it's a very important signing because he should have a great future. He's a good footballer as well as a good goalscorer, which is what we need.

"If you can score nearly 20 goals in Serie A and you are not with one of the top clubs like Milan or Juve then you must be talented.

"It's a good record, and let's hope he continues with it. I'm very optimistic about Rolando."

Source: Skysports

[Trim]

Good signing, definately.
According to transfermarkt.de, the fee was 13 million euro's.
Quite expensive.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

I don't think he is expensive because you have to be prepare to pay extra for a quality striker.He has a high scoring rate in Serie A.

[barracuda]

Not sure he'll do well in England, but let's hope he does. That price was definately on the high side....

[Mighty T.A.L.]

He was one of the options for Liverpool if they had failed to land Torres.

[barracuda]

Well Torres >>>> Bianchi so good for Liverpool.

[RavenKing]

Originally Posted by barracuda

Well Torres >>>> Bianchi so good for Liverpool.

We'll just have to see about that. Bianchi scored more goals last year and doesn't have as much pressure on him as Torres.

[Aladino]

Bianchi is a great buy for a team, but whether he makes it in England is another story. I hope he succeeds but I would like to see him back in Italy. What people must also remember is that this is really his first season where he has shone. I wish him the best and i will certainly follow Man City even more closely now Corradi and Bianchi are there

[Jager]

I trust Sven on this one, he knows what he is doing. He speaks Italian, he will make this kid feel at home, and will build around him.

If he makes it, he can sell him later.

Price was somewhat high, there must of been some pressure from the big Italian giants.

[D-Kin]

Reggina know Man City have money, that must have been a factor in the transfer fee.

But in reality I don't think it's that high. He's young and he's talented, as long as his knee holds up he'll be fine.

[Jager]

..as long as he plays every week. That is really what counts.

I find English league managers give up on there players to quickly, as opposed to Italy or am I missing something?

[Aladino]

So happy that Bianchi scored on his prem debut for Man City! I am sure he will be gerat! fORZA BIANCHI!