Man City new-boy Jovetic sets goal target

Manchester City forward Stevan Jovetic has set himself the target of scoring 15 goals for his new club this season.

Jovetic – who signed for City for a reported fee of £22 million from Fiorentina on Friday – will form part of a forward quartet that also includes fellow new arrival Alvaro Negredo, Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko.

Competition for places will be high but the Montenegro international, who scored 13 goals for Fiorentina last term, is targeting an improved return.

“My position is a forward and I think I’m good one-on-one,” Jovetic told City’s official website.

“I hope (to score) about 15 to 20 in all competitions. I think my best years are going to come.

“I have played in a lot of systems. I can play behind the striker and the left side and the striker. The best (position for me) is behind the striker.”

Jovetic says two of the main reasons he has decided to join City were their relentless pursuit of him, and that his friend Matija Nastasic plays at the club.

Nastasic, who spent one season at Fiorentina before moving to City last term, impressed with a series of performances in the heart of defence.

And 23-year-old Jovetic is looking forward to playing with the Serbia international.

“They (City) wanted me for a long time. Last year also, and in the end I stayed in Fiorentina,” he said.

“Now they wanted me more than everyone. I decided to come here because they have a big project and fighting for Premier League and also for the Champions League.

“I spoke with him (Nastasic) last year also. He tells me very good things about Manchester and about the players and about everything here.

“He sent me a message every week saying “come here, I am waiting for you”. Finally I am here and I’m very happy to play with him.”

Jovetic is also excited to link up with Manuel Pellegrini, who joined City from Malaga earlier in the close-season.

“I heard a lot of good things about him,” he said.

“Malaga last year played very good football and you can see how the team play, how the manager is. I can’t wait to do the first training.”