According to the Mirror, the new Everton boss is targeting Wilfried Bony as part-exchange for Toffees defender John Stones who has been linked with a move to the Etihad for several months.
Report the Mirror: “Everton boss Ronald Koeman met Sheikh Mansour’s transfer king Txiki Begiristain in Manchester last week to thrash out a deal for John Stones.
“Everton’s hierarchy want a straight-cash £50million deal for Stones but Koeman’s keen to take Wilfried Bony as part of a swap deal to ease Everton’s attacking worries.
“Koeman and Begiristain know each other well from their Barcelona days where they played in the same side for almost seven years.
“But the meeting was more than just a friendly catch up - with Bony a possible make-weight in City’s chase for Toffees defender Stones.
“Koeman knows he won’t be able to prevent England defender Stones leaving if City offer the asking price for Stones. But he’s investigating how he can sweeten the deal - with former Swansea star Bony an appealing option.”
Meanwhile the Telegraph speculate on which other City stars could possibly be heading for pastures new.
In a feature that also covers Manchester United’s expected departures, they write: “Besiktas are interested in left-back Kolarov and Roma in right-back Zabaleta but neither club has yet to make formal offers to City.
“Guardiola is happy to keep Zabaleta but the Argentinian – now 31 – wants regular first team football. Both players have 12 months left on their existing deals but City do not want to loan them out.
“City are reluctant to let Bony leave on loan, unless any deal came with a stipulation to buy. Swansea are interested in re-signing the Ivory Coast striker, who has endured a calamitous 18 months at City since his £28 million move from the Liberty Stadium but his wages are an issue.
“Galatasaray have also expressed an interest. Depending on who City bring in, Mangala could leave on loan in a bid to rebuild his reputation after a bruising past two seasons in the wake of his £42 million move from Porto. Nasri and Caballero’s situations are also likely to be influenced by who City sign.”
One new name to add to an already long list is Dutch keeper Joroen Zoet.
The Express believe the Blues are considering the PSV shot-stopper and may make a move before long.
They report: “City are reportedly eyeing a £7million swoop for Holland international Zoet.
“The 25-year-old goalkeeper joined 2015/16 Eredivisie champions PSV Eindhoven from BV Veendam’s youth academy in 2006.
“He has made 162 league appearances since making his professional debut on loan at RKC Waalwijk in 2011.
“Last season he played a key role in PSV’s success, keeping 13 cleans sheets as they pipped Amsterdam giants Ajax to the title on the final day.”
That’s all for today – keep checking for updates on City Now for all the latest breaking news. Other than that, we’ll be back tomorrow morning with more rumour and gossip.
