Manchester City Transfer News: Mancini Signs Jack Rodwell

Manchester City have finally made their first move in this summer's transfer market, signing Everton's 21-year-old English midfielder Jack Rodwell for an undisclosed fee. The transfer has been confirmed by the Goodison Park club, subject to a medical at the Etihad.

City do already have plenty of options in midfield, with Nigel De Jong, Yaya Toure, James Milner, Samir Nasri, Adam Johnson and Gareth Barry competing for a starting berth and Rodwell, hailed as one of the more promising youngsters in the English game, will have his work cut out to force his way into the reckoning. His cause will be helped by injuries to Barry and doubts over De Jong's future at the club.

"We consider Jack Rodwell to be a good, young player. He will be an important midfielder for the England national team and for us. We need someone who wants to win, is good tactically and is a good player for the future," City manager Roberto Mancini was quoted as saying by the BBC. Mancini has been vocal this summer about his displeasure at the club's lack of activity in the transfer market and this should go some way to satisfying his demands. The Daily Mail, which places a £15m valuation on the transfer, also indicated that rivals Manchester United and Chelsea were interested.

However, the capture of Rodwell alone is unlikely to completely placate Mancini, particularly since rivals Chelsea, United and even Liverpool and Arsenal have spent money on recruiting new talent. The defending champions have been linked with a move for Liverpool defender Daniel Agger, something that the Reds' manager Brendan Rodgers has acknowledged.

Hart out of Chelsea Game?

Meanwhile, the Daily Mail reports that City's first choice goalkeeper Joe Hart was forced to miss this afternoon's Community Shield game against Chelsea with a minor back injury. The Romanian international Costel Pantilimon started in goal for City at Villa Park today. The injury to Hart may also rule him out of the England team for the forthcoming friendly against Switzerland.