With the Premier League title wrapped up and a week between games for City, news outlets have turned their attentions to potential summer business – and allegedly, there is to be plenty of it!
One name who is frequently linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium is Andres Iniesta and the Daily Mail claim Pep Guardiola is seeking a reunion with the Barcelona man.
Tom Farmery claims: “Pep Guardiola will try and use his relationship with Andres Iniesta to bring the Barcelona midfielder to Manchester City, according to reports in Spain.
“Iniesta is out of contract at Barcelona at the end of the season and has been linked with a move to China.
“But it has been reported that Guardiola will attempt to lure his former player to the Premier League.
“Spanish sports newspaper AS reports that the City boss is keen on giving the 33-year-old a chance to extend his career in England.
“Iniesta has made over 700 appearances for Barcelona and effectively replaced Guardiola in the team when he quit the Spanish giants in 2001.
“Guardiola said recently that he would wait to see whether Iniesta is prepared to move on from the Nou Camp before speaking further.”
Elsewhere, the Mirror believe the Blues are eyeing Brazilian starlet Lucas Halter.
According to Darren Lewis: “The highly-rated centre back turns 18 next month and is already regarded as one of the best young defenders in Brazil.
“Halter, called up to the Brazil Under-20’s this week, is already being coveted by Atletico Madrid and Roma.
“But Manchester City boss Guardiola could be set to raid the South American market again having already turned both Ederson and another rising star, Gabriel Jesus, into Premier League champions.
“Standing at 6ft 2in, Halter currently plays for Atletico Paranaense and has won plaudits for his composure, his aerial presence and his ability to bring the ball out of defence.
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“He is the club captain at youth level for Paranaense and has already been involved with their first team squads.”
Switching focus and looking ahead to Sunday’s trip to West Ham, Hammers shot-stopper Adrian – stepping in for the ineligible Joe Hart – has told their official website he expects a busy afternoon between the sticks.
“The truth in football is that Manchester City are the champions and they will come to try to win the game and score goals because they want to break the records for the most points and most goals in the history of the Premier League,” he stated.
“It’s my job to prepare and try to stop them. I know I will be very busy but I want to show that, when I play, I am ready, so I’ll do my best. I know I will be in action many times.”
In other news, Scotland winger Claire Emslie is optimistic about City’s chances of reaching the Women’s Champions League final.
The Blues travel to Lyon this weekend in the semi-final second leg, having held the holders to a 0-0 draw at the Academy Stadium.
Emslie told BBC Sport: “We’ve put ourselves in a good position and we’re definitely able to do it.
“Them not scoring an away goal definitely helps. Going over there, we have to score to win anyway, so it might as well be an away goal that counts a little bit more.
“When you put it in perspective, it’s probably the highest level you can get to apart from a World Cup, so to be part of it, it’s great.
“It’s exciting but you just need to keep the head and play the best football you can.”
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