Let’s start with reports that City will launch a bid to sign William Carvalho from Sporting Lisbon.
Carvalho, 24, has been linked with a host of top clubs in recent months – but talkSPORT believe the Blues are set to show their hand in an attempt to land the midfielder in the summer transfer window.
They write: “Manchester City are reportedly planning a summer move for highly-rated Sporting Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho.
“The Portugal star, who impressed with a series of fine performances at Euro 2016, has been linked with a big-money move to the Premier League for years now.
“Everton reportedly failed with an approach for the 24-year-old in the summer, while he has also been heavily linked with Arsenal as well as their London rivals Chelsea.
“But now, according to reports in Spain, City are ready to join the battle.
“Manager Pep Guardiola is said to be a huge fan of Carvalho and believes he could add some strength to his midfield.”
Meanwhile, Pablo Zabaleta has told the Express that he hasn’t completely given up hope of catching runaway leaders Chelsea in the race for the Premier League title.
Antonio Conte’s men sit 10 points clear of City – but Zabaleta is refusing to give up hope of overhauling them, and says drawing on the spirit of 2012 is vital.
Back then, City made up eight points on Manchester United to win the title for the first time in 44 years and the Argentine says that experience gives them hope this time around.
“It’s important to believe,” Zabaleta said.
“That gap with Chelsea is really big and we cannot drop points if we want to catch them so we need to keep winning games and then see if Chelsea can drop points.
“We had that situation before when we won the first title [in 2011-12] – we were eight points behind [Manchester] United.
“Of course we need that belief.”
And, finally, Willy Caballero has praised Claudio Bravo’s attitude in recent weeks, despite losing his place to the Argentine ‘keeper.
Caballero has started City’s last three matches, conceding just one goal, and appears to be City’s No. 1, for the time being at least.
He told the Press Association (via Sky Sports) that Bravo has been nothing but professional and supportive throughout.
“It’s not been an easy week for him but his behaviour is fantastic. He supports me and we are working really hard and he has a competitive mind, so he’s doing very well,” said Caballero.
“Claudio is a fantastic player, a fantastic keeper and we have to respect him because he is probably the keeper with more titles in his country in the last two years.
“When we train during the week we receive the same indication.
“Whether it’s Claudio or me when we train we receive the same information, so we are ready to play and we don’t have a difference with the boss and the rest of the players.
“I was always waiting for the cup but now I am ready for every single game. I will try to work really hard for the rest of the week but he always makes the decision for the team.”
That’s all for today’s roundup of media musings – join us same time, same place tomorrow for more.
