Two Blues may feature for host nation France as they take on Portugal, with Bacary Sagna and Eliaquim Mangala in contention for Les Bleus.
Sagna has been speaking to the media ahead of the clash, asserting a trophy on home soil would be perfect reward for the hard work that has been put in to rebuild France’s footballing image.
Quoted in an article on the Independent’s website, the defender states: “We left a negative image of French football around the world.
“We had to go back to basics and try and get the public with us.
“We’ve done a great deal of work to be there six years later in the final and we really want to put a smile on the French people’s face and present a different image of the team.
“Clearly, we went through a crisis. We can’t erase what happened in the past. We have to look forward and it wasn’t easy but, step by step, we’ve been able to go through that process.
“The French Football Federation deserve a lot of credit, as do the players and head coaches.
“Putting together a great team takes a lot of time. If you look in recent times - at the Spaniards and Germans - you can’t have success overnight.
“You can’t buy time and experience. But now we have a chance to make history, a unique opportunity, and we need to make the most of it.”
Read more from the Frenchman in our preview.
Elsewhere, there’s plenty of City-related transfer gossip to wade through with two tales of potential goalkeeping arrivals.
Goal.com claim Claudio Bravo is the main target, while the Daily Mail believe Marc-Andre ter Stegen is on his way.
Goal’s article reads: “Pep Guardiola is looking to make further changes to his Manchester City squad ahead of the new season and is looking for an upgrade on goalkeeper Joe Hart - with Barcelona’s Claudio Bravo the main target, according to Mundo Deportivo.
“Guardiola’s technical passing-based style of play demands a certain type of goalkeeper, and it is said that he is not sure Hart fits the profile, prompting the coach to demand City look for other options.
“However, there has been no official contact between the two clubs as of yet, while the Chilean shot-stopper has not told the club he wants to leave.”
Writes the Mail’s Rob Draper: “Guardiola has managed to prise ter Stegen away from Barcelona, where he plays in all cup competitions but not often in La Liga, as one of Guardiola’s former clubs are now confident of signing former Liverpool ‘keeper Pepe Reina as his replacement.
“That means Barca can now afford to let ter Stegen go, though City will have to negotiate a fee which could rise to £15 million as his official buy-out clause is almost £70million.”
The same source also insist the Blues are considering a bid of £17million for Torino defender Bruno Peres, and Goal also say talks are taking place with Espanyol over a move for Mamadou Sylla.
Meanwhile, the rumours regarding the future of Leonardo Bonucci have taken another twist. After it was reported yesterday the defender is looking to stay at Juventus, today it’s argued he’s England-bound.
Cronan Yu of Gazzetta World explains: “Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci could soon be on his way to Manchester City if the social media post from a Turin restaurant owner is anything to go by.
“Trattoria Fratelli Bravo, a restaurant frequently visited by Bianconeri players, reportedly predicted the departure of star striker Alvaro Morata back to Real Madrid last month when a photo of the player alongside the caption ‘Adios Alvaro’ surfaced on their Instagram feed.
“The famous eatery have now posted a photo of the 29-year-old with the caption ‘Lesson number one’ written alongside the flags of Italy and the United Kingdom apparently suggesting that the Italian international is set for pastures anew this summer.
“Juventus, though, are reportedly set to reject any bids coming out of England, and will instead discuss a contract renewal with improved wages in a bid to keep Bonucci at the club for an additional five years.
“Bonucci has been linked with a move away from Turin this summer with Manchester City prepared to offer as much as €60 million for the defender’s services while Antonio Conte’s Chelsea are also rumoured to be eyeing off a move.”
Finally, the Mirror run a story based on comments made by Gary Lineker, who has tipped City’s skipper to become a top television pundit after retirement.
“Vincent Kompany when he came and did a bit, he showed if he wants to go down that route when he finishes playing he will be very, very good,” he lauded.
“He has got a great command of English and is exceptionally intelligent, with a real feel for the game.”
