There’s a double helping of transfer gossip in this morning’s media reports, while new Manchester City Women signing Carli Lloyd also makes the back pages.
Beginning with reports of a possible arrival, the Express expect the Blues to be part of a bidding war for an English centre-half.
“Ben Gibson is set to spark a £25million transfer scramble this summer with the Premier League’s big guns all keen on the Middlesbrough defender,” writes Graham Read.
“Gibson has emerged as one of the top flight’s hottest properties with Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham eyeing the centre-half.
“Middlesbrough know they have no chance of hanging on to Gibson if they are relegated. And they also accept they have a major fight on their hands to keep Gibson, 24, even if they win their survival battle.”
It’s another England man – Jack Butland – who completes today’s transfer gossip, though the story comes from a particularly surprising source.
The Stoke Sentinel carry quotes from Charlie Adam’s recent appearance on BBC Radio 5 Live, when the midfielder questioned why the Blues haven’t moved for his team-mate.
“Why don’t they go and buy a younger goalkeeper,” Adam said.
“Why don’t they buy Jack Butland for £25m or whatever it would take. He’s a young, promising goalkeeper who keep can play with both feet.
“I know he’s had an injury, but he’s an exceptional goalkeeper and a young goalkeeper.”
Meanwhile, there’s some analysis from ESPN’s David Mooney, who is of the belief City have plenty to be positive about, both on and off the pitch.
In a piece that charts the impact of the Club’s most recent success, Mooney predicts fans will have plenty more to celebrate in the coming years.
“In terms of stature, City have never been bigger,” he writes.
“Guardiola has a wonderful platform on which to build something special.
“Fans may be disappointed with the title challenges of the last three seasons, but the wider picture is still just as exciting as it’s always been since Mancini led the club to it’s first Mansour-era trophy.
“The first generation of that team is now coming to a close and favourite players will be moved on to make way for the second generation. At the helm, Guardiola could build an incredible dynasty.”
We finish, in a roundabout way, with Man City Women and Lionel Messi?
How is that possible?
Well, midfielder Lloyd has responded to the Daily Mail’s suggestion that she is the female equivalent of the Barcelona man and in doing so has given fans an insight into what they can expect from her at the Academy Stadium this season.
“I’m obviously a very different player,” she told Jack Gaughan
“Messi’s in a league of his own. But when you look at my overall game, I have a completeness to it.
“If it requires a bit of finesse, I can do that. If it requires a little bit of a physical battle, I can handle that.”
That’s all for today, Blues, but join us again tomorrow morning with more tales from the back pages.
