Tottenham’s Dele Alli, Juventus’ Paulo Dybala and Monaco’s Djibril Sidibe have all been linked with summer moves to Pep Guardiola’s side in the gossip sections.
First, Neil Fissler reports in the Sunday Express: “Manchester City are set to make a world-record bid to tempt Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli away from White Hart Lane.
“The England international, who is a target for Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, is now on the radar of City boss Pep Guardiola but he won’t come cheap.
“Tottenham will fight to resist any bids for Alli, who has just been named the Premier League Player of the Month for January after scoring five times.”
The second of the trio, Argentinian forward Dybala, has been in scintillating form in Serie A this season and attracted the attention of many of the biggest clubs in the world.
Tom Hopkinson writes in the Mirror: “Manchester City are closing in on Juventus striker Paulo Dybala after going ahead of Real Madrid in the race to land him.
“Contact between the 23-year-old’s representatives and his club has increased in recent weeks and if a firm offer arrives for the player then Juve’s directors have told him it will be accepted.
“Juve would rather sell Dybala to the Premier League than La Liga, giving City the upper hand.
“The Argentinian’s contract in Turin runs until 2020 and has a release clause of £38.3million.”
The final of the three is Monaco’s 24-year-old right-back Djibril Sidibe who the Manchester Evening News believe both City and United are interested in.
James Robson scribes: “Reports in France claim City have identified the 24-year-old as a potential target this summer - with Manchester United and Arsenal also linked.
“Guardiola is set to overhaul his defence at the end of the season, having failed to do so in his first transfer window at the Etihad.
“With Bacary Sagna, Pablo Zabaleta and Gael Clichy all out of contract, City’s manager will address both full back positions.
Finally, the Mirror’s Simon Mullock has revealed how much Yaya Toure is enjoying himself in his current role: “Yaya Toure is revelling in his role as the daddy of Manchester City.
“The Ivorian midfielder has turned back the years since making his peace with Pep Guardiola and is hoping his influence on City’s brat pack will earn him a new contract.
“But when asked how long he can continue at the highest level, Toure insisted: “I can go on for another five years. You don’t believe me? OK, let’s make a bet.
“They have got to keep working hard, pushing all the time to improve, because the moment you think you have arrived can also be the moment when you start to slip.
“That’s why the experienced players are important. Me, Vincent (Kompany), David (Silva), Zaba (Pablo Zabaleta), we are pushing them all the time to get better.”
That’s your lot for this morning’s media round-up, stick with mancity.com throughout the weekend for build-up to Bournemouth v Manchester City.
