The French midfielder, who has made 33 appearances in all competitions this season, has recently been called up to Didier Deschamps’ France squad and has also been linked with Arsenal and Chelsea since the turn of the year.
Mark Brus writes: “Manchester City are reportedly set to hold talks over a transfer for Leicester City star N’Golo Kante over the international break.
“The Frenchman has been one of the players of the season in the Premier League this year, and has also been linked with the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea.”
Now onto a transfer rumour that featured heavily in our ‘Transfer Talk’ section during January and the Mirror believe that City face a battle with Juventus for Real Madrid midfielder Isco.
Ed Maylon scribes: “Manchester City and Juventus are ready to battle it out for Real Madrid midfielder Isco .
“Isco is set to be chased out of the club by a ‘furious’ manager Zinedine Zidane in the summer, but he won’t be short of suitors.
“He is already at the centre of a tug-of-war between the Blues and Italian champions Juve after the Premier League club made further contact with the player.
“Mirror Sport understands Zidane had planned to make Isco a key part of his team, having being impressed by him when working as part of Carlo Ancelotti’s staff.
“City had a deal in place to sign former Malaga star Isco when Manuel Pellegrini arrived from that Spanish club in summer 2013, only for late interest from the Bernabeu to turn his head.”
Moving away from the transfer rumours and on-loan City midfielder Jack Byrne has been picked out by the Irish Independent as one of the stand out stars of Ireland U21s midweek defeat against Italy.
The 19-year old, who is currently on loan at Dutch side SC Cambuur, gave his country the lead with a free kick and was also praised for his performance under the watchful eye of senior boss Martin O’Neill.
Harry Clarke gushes: “Ireland may have been comprehensively beaten by Italy in their Under-21 Euro qualifier in Waterford tonight, but the performance of Jack Byrne was one positive to take away from an otherwise depressing night.
“Noel King’s men took the lead, deservedly, early on when Byrne’s free kick was deflected into the back of the net but that is as good as it got as the Italians took the game by the scruff of the neck thereafter.
“Man City midfielder Byrne, currently on loan to Dutch side SC Cambuur, put in a robust performance for Ireland under the watchful eye of senior boss Martin O’Neill.”
And finally, goalkeeper Joe Hart has received some high praise from compatriot Jack Butland, who currently plies his for Stoke City.
Speaking in an England press conference, the 23-year old said: “He’s right up there and he is one of the best in the world.
“Whether it is watching on TV, training with him with England or back when he was at Birmingham, there are always things to learn.
