In fact, it’s the same players that have been linked with the Blues for most of the summer that eat up the column inches, but as ever, we’ve found one or two snippets worth highlighting.
We’ll start with The Telegraph, who pick up Pep Guardiola’s comments about his long-term vision for City, plus how hard it will be to establish the Blues among Europe’s elite.
The Telegraph report: ‘I hope to have as much fun here as in the first season, because I enjoyed it,’ he told L’Esportiu, the Catalan daily sports newspaper.
‘There are people who say that it has not gone well, but it’s the exception to what I’ve done so far - seven years of coaching and six leagues won.
‘City is a great team, but getting to Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Juventus... it’s very complicated. You need time, a decade.’
The 4th Official go with the rumour that broke over the weekend concerning Roma’s Antonio Rudiger, though the story adds little to what has already been written.
They claim: “Rudiger has been subject to a highly-anticipated move to Stamford Bridge as the defender has been eyed by Chelsea boss Antonio Conte to come into his squad to fill the void left by John Terry, as the legendary defender joined Championship side Aston Villa yesterday.
“The German star has been in good form in the recently concluded Confederations Cup and helped his national team to clinch the trophy on Sunday.
“However, it seems that the transfer, which is worth £33 million and was meant to be rather swift, has been hit by an unexpected road block, as Chelsea’s arch rivals Manchester City are one their way to make a shock move for the German centre back in an effort to bring in the player from his current club AS Roma with a bid that has been speculated to be higher than what the Blues are offering.”
Our last snipper today comes from the Metro.
Alexis Sanchez has been the subject of numerous back page headlines this summer – perhaps more than any other Premier League player – and the thread has shifted one way, then another over several weeks.
City, if you believe everything that has been written, have been in the box seat for the Chilean’s services for most of that time, but the latest report suggests that Sanchez could stay at the Emirates, if the Gunners show ambition in the transfer market.
Via a story from South America, the Metro report: “Sanchez will reject Manchester City if Arsene Wenger is prepared to meet two conditions set by the forward, according to reports in Chile.
“EMOL claims that the 28-year-old still hasn’t ruled out the possibility of extending his contract, but in order for that to happen, Wenger must agree to Sanchez’s salary demand and promise that the squad will be significantly improved with new signings so that they can compete for trophies.
“Sanchez is reportedly demanding a £300,000 a week deal – a significant rise from his current £130,000 a week contract which has just one year remaining.
“But the Chilean is City’s priority target and reports have claimed that he would be keen to join up with his former boss Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium.
“City are understood to be confident of securing a deal and are prepared to launch a £50 million offer.
“Wenger, meanwhile, has remained adamant that Sanchez will not be sold this summer and would be willing to let the player leave on a free transfer next year.”
And so it goes…
More gossip tomorrow.
