Transfer speculation has ramped up a gear as the season enters its final weeks and shows no sign of slowing up now, so it’s probably time we got used to it.
In which case, let us begin with a quick trip to Germany to check on the latest rumours circling around Kevin de Bruyne.
Step forward the skipper, with compatriot Vincent Kompany expected to have a few words in the young Belgian’s ear.
Writes the paper’s John Richardson: “After clinching a place in next season’s Champions League the surprise package of the Bundesliga would like to hold onto their 23-year-old star who they captured from Chelsea for £18 million in January 2014.
“De Bruyne failed to make an impact at Stamford Bridge after joining from Genk for £7 million which eventually saw Chelsea make a quick £11 million profit.
“But City believe Wolfsburg will not be able to turn down a big offer in the region of £30 million and they also have a useful bargaining tool in the shape of skipper Vincent Kompany.
“The central defender has been pushing City’s case to his Belgium team-mate and the Etihad hierarchy who are committed to a busy summer of comings and goings believe De Bruyne is on his way.”
That man is going to be collecting plenty of column inches between now and the end of the window I suspect…
Moving onto yet another familiar name (and there are a few to pick from at this stage!), City are apparently set to lose out to Arsenal in the chase for Monaco defender Layvin Kurzawa – that’s according to the Daily Star via reports in the French media.
Marc Williams does the summing up: “The Gunners are all-clear to sign the 22-year-old defender from Monaco, according to French newspaper Le Sport 10.
“The attacking left-back has reportedly handed in a transfer request and is set to leave France.
“City are trying to agree a £15million deal and have made the France international a top priority this summer.
“But now, it seems Arsenal are leading the way to land him.”
All just gossip at the moment and no deals are ever done until you see them confirmed right here on mcfc.co.uk this summer.
As ever!
Moving on to something a bit more concrete now and Manuel Pellegrini has hit out at Kompany’s critics, pointing out that similar things were being written about John Terry this time last year.
The manager believes the captain is in good shape to recover his best form and lead City next season in the same way Terry has done this.
Hopefully with the same title-winning ending, eh?!
Manuel told the Sunday Mirror: “For every player it is important not to have an injury but when you come back from injury two or three times it can be difficult.
“But I think Vincent will return to his normal performance because he is a very good player.
“Maybe next season he will not have injury problems. Last season what you said about Terry was said about Vincent.”
The skipper is back in contention for a place in today’s squad according to the boss, and we’ll be first with the team news at 12.30pm over on twitter to see if he’s made it.
Meanwhile, in the blue and white hooped Rangers corner, Bobby Zamora is rather hoping for an end-of-season wind-down vibe at the Etihad Stadium to help QPR avoid the drop.
Rangers could be relegated today if they suffer defeat and the striker is counting on some metaphorical flip flops and suncream accompanying City onto to the pitch this lunchtime.
Zamora is quoted in the Mail as saying: “It’s a going to be a tough task, obviously, against Manchester City. It’s unlike the last time, that last game of the season (three years ago when City won the title).
“We needed something and they needed something to win the league - they don’t have anything to play for as such.
“So we’d like to think they’re going to have their flip-flops on and be on the beach, not want to get injured and all those bits and pieces really.
“So that’s what we’re hoping. We’re going to be all guns blazing, and hopefully they have an off day and a relaxed approach to the day and we can get something.”
All eyes on the Etihad at 1.30pm!
We’ll have all the build-up and live coverage later on in our City Matchday app as well as over on twitter.
See you then and don’t forget your lucky socks….
