Alvaro Negredo: Man City complete deal for Sevilla striker

  • Author, Phil McNulty
  • Role, Chief football writer

Manchester City have completed the signing of Spanish international striker Alvaro Negredo from Sevilla.

Negredo, 27, arrived in Manchester on Thursday to undergo a medical before finalising the deal.

He joins former Sevilla team-mate Jesus Navas in new manager Manuel Pellegrini's reshaped squad, and will wear the number nine shirt.

Fiorentina attacker Stevan Jovetic could be City's next summer purchase.

The 23-year-old is rated at around 拢28m, and has previously attracted interest from Arsenal and Manchester United.

But Negredo is the first deal completed as City spend big in the transfer market to try and win back the Premier League title they lost to arch-rivals Manchester United last season.

At a farewell press conference in Seville on Wednesday the former Real Madrid player said he was looking forward to taking his career to the next stage.

"For four years I have been very happy, but I think my time was over here," the forward, who scored 26 La Liga goals last season, said.

Ex-Sevilla winger Navas, 27, sealed a 拢14.9m transfer on a four-year deal earlier this summer and Negredo said: "I am happy to be spending another year with him."

Sevilla president Jose Maria del Nido said: "Manchester City are buying a great player, the top-scoring Spaniard in La Liga.

"This is a big deal for Sevilla, the second most important in our history after we sold [now-Barcelona full-back] Daniel Alves, and the player will sign the contract of his life.

"Everyone should be happy - it is a great deal for all three parties."

Negredo has won 14 international caps, scoring six goals, and was part of Spain's victorious Euro 2012 squad.

Sevilla, who have faced financial difficulties, have also sold playmaker Luis Alberto to Liverpool,full-back Antonio Luna to Aston Villa, and midfielder Jose Campana to Crystal Palace.