In the absence of domestic football, it’s transfer speculation that keeps the pot boiling with ‘alerts’, ‘coulds’ and ‘woulds’ the order of the day.
So without further ado, let’s plunge our virtual City ladle into the mix and see what we can scoop out.
First to Sport Witness, who pick up on a rumour linking the Blues with a Brazilian defender.
They report: “According to Corriere dello Sport, the Manchester City manager is also after Bayer Leverkusen’s Wendell.
“The Brazilian full-back is also a target for Inter Milan, hence the coverage from the Italian media, and it is his pace and quality that makes him an attractive option to Guardiola.
“Where Manchester City will have the upper hand for this transfer is the price, considering Wendell signed a new contract until 2021 last summer, allowing the Bundesliga side to ask for a high price when clubs come knocking in a few months’ time.”
Now to the Daily Mirror’s David McDonnell, who reports: “Manchester City have targeted young France winger Kingsley Coman to be part of their £200million summer rebuild.
“Blues boss Pep Guardiola brought Coman to Bayern Munich from Juventus on a long-term loan at the start of last season, and is keen to be reunited with the highly-rated 20-year-old.
A little closer to home and the Western Daily Press believe City could still be a destination for midfielder Jack Wilshere.
Stephen DAlbiac reckons: “Wilshere has just one year remaining on his Arsenal contract and if the north Londoners are to recoup any money for a player that they have nurtured since childhood, their best option would be to cash in on the player.
“Should Wilshere leave Arsenal and not return to Bournemouth, Manchester City could be an option with Pep Guardiola a long-time admirer of the midfielder, while Everton are also said to have an interest.
“Otherwise Wilshere’s best hope would be a switch abroad, with a move to Serie A an option. A move to AS Roma last summer nearly came to fruition last summer before Bournemouth came calling.”
Finally we return to the Brazilian theme, with the Manchester Evening News picking up on comments reported from Barcelona ace Neymar.
Under the headline: ‘Neymar puts Manchester United and Man City on alert’ Anthony Jepson writes: “Barcelona superstar Neymar has spoken of his admiration for Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola.
“And the Brazilian has admitted he would be open to playing in the Premier League.
“Manchester United boss Mourinho has long been believed to be keen on taking the attacker to Old Trafford, while Neymar has formed a profitable understanding with City star Gabriel Jesus for Brazil.
“‘You have high-level coaches like Mourinho and Guardiola,’ he said. ‘These are coaches with whom any player would like to work.
“‘In the Premier League you never know who is going to win or who will be champions, it is always a surprise.
“‘The Premier League is a championship that amazes me, I like the playing style and the teams. And who knows, someday, I would like to play at it, yes.’”
We’ll have more paper talk at the same time, same place on Saturday!
