Manchester City reportedly set to rope in A-League club Central Coast Mariners’ midfielder

Central Coast Mariners’ midfielder Anthony Caceres has been heavily linked with a move to English Premier League (EPL) giants Manchester City and could be well on his way to Manchester soon.

City are in advanced talks with the A-League club and all looks set for Caceres to make his transfer to the EPL.

An unnamed club from J-League has also approached Mariners for acquiring the services of Caceres, who was dropped by Central Coast coach Tony Walmsley last week and seems to be moving out of the club as they struggle in the A-League.

Luke Brattan, a former Brisbane Roar player was also signed by City at the start of this season. However, the central midfielder has yet to feature for The Citizens. He was loaned out to struggling Championship Club Blackburn Rovers but has returned to Manchester without much of a success.

Mariners’ owner Mike Charlesworth has been discussing the potential transfer of Caceres with the EPL title favourites.

Caceres has a buyout clause $500,000 (AU $700,000 approx.) and City will have no problem in paying the amount to the A-League club.

The only stumbling block that might come in the way is Caceres’ unavailability of a European passport since the number ‘10’ has Uruguayan parents.

Other A-League clubs like Western Sydney, Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC had also shown interest in signing Caceres, but Sydney FC manager Graham Arnold does not think that the Mariners will let their prized possession play for an A-League rival.

"If they're going to let him go anywhere, I'd say it would be for a sale. I don't think they'd hand him over to any other A-League club." Arnold said, according to Sydney Morning Herald.

Caceres is not the only player who has been tipped to leave the Mariners. Attacking midfielder/Striker Nick Fitzgerald has also been rumoured to be heading towards the exit door after he was dropped in the team’s 3-1 win over Wellington Phoenix.

The Mariners have only made signings from the state league this transfer window and will be looking to make further additions to their squad.

Greek striker Georgios Samaras was in their radar. However, monetary and fitness concerns made them think otherwise.