Inter win race to sign Man City outcast Jovetic

Posted Friday, July 24, 2015 by Goal.com

Manchester City have reached an agreement with the Serie A club over an initial €3m loan move, with the Nerazzurri legally obligated to complete a permanent €13m deal in 2016

Inter are on the verge of completing a deal for Manchester City forward Stevan Jovetic.

Goal understands a payment package has been agreed between the two clubs, with Jovetic initially joining the Serie A side on a 12-month loan deal for a €3 million fee.

Inter will then be legally obligated to purchase Jovetic in a permanent transfer for €13m in July 2016, with City receiving a further €2.8m if Roberto Mancini's side qualify for the Champions League.

Goal reported on July 2 that Inter were battling with City rivals AC Milan in the race to sign Jovetic, with the Nerazzurri being the Montenegro star's preferred choice.

Mancini, meanwhile, confirmed to Corriere dello Sport on Tuesday that Jovetic is a transfer target as the Serie A club look to add to their attacking options for the 2015-16 season.

He said: "We really need an attacker because we only have two players up front at the moment.

"I already tried to sign Jovetic in my last season with Manchester City but he arrived when I was gone. He can play as a focal point or as a support striker but could also feature on the wings."

And now the Inter boss has got his man, with the Italian giants willing to match Jovetic's £90,000-a-week (€127,000) wages in a move that will see him return to Serie A.

Liverpool had previously been interested in signing Jovetic but the arrivals of Divock Origi, Danny Ings and Christian Benteke have lessened the need for more attacking reinforcements at Anifled.

Jovetic joined City from Fiorentina in 2013 for £22m (€31m) but has struggled to become a regular fixture in the first team under Manuel Pellegrini, making only nine Premier League starts last season.