Transfer gossip dominates the City-centric headlines this morning and believe me, there’s plenty of it…
So, if rumours of potential incomings are your cup of tea, grab the milk and some sugar and drink it in.
We’ll kick-off with the Sun’s transfer tale, which asserts City are to splash the cash to land another Belgian Blue in Eden Hazard.
Writes Daniel Cutts: “City chief Pep Guardiola has been monitoring Hazard’s situation, and is ready to rival Real Madrid for his signature.
“The Premier League champions have been long-term admirers of his, and would not hesitate to make a £100m-plus bid.
“It is understood the Etihad board would also be willing to pay his £300,000-a-week wage demands.
“Guardiola admitted he would not splash the cash during the window, unless a suitable superstar became available.
“And it is thought Hazard would fit the bill, having been keen on him dating back to his Bayern Munich days.”
Apparently, an Etihad source said: “The club would be at the front of the queue if Hazard becomes available this summer.
“The boss has long considered him a crack player. He has already told the board how much he admires him.
“The club have been keeping a watchful eye. They know his value will drop if his deal continues to run down.
“Pep is refusing to spend money for the sake of it. He only wants a player who can take the squad to the next level.
“Hazard is in his prime and requires no introduction to the rigours of the Premier League.”
The report continues: “It is thought the lure of Belgian team-mates Kevin De Bruyne and Vincent Kompany could help the move.
“Guardiola is interested in adding to two positions this summer, with Napoli ace Jorginho a priority.
“He wants a holding midfielder and wide attacker, two position he failed to improve in January.
“The City chief missed out on Alexis Sanchez, and was also interested in Leicester winger Riyad Mahrez.
“The Algerian is still on his shortlist along with Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha and Leon Bailey, but Hazard would be his top priority.”
On the subject of Jorginho, 101 Great Goals claim the Napoli star’s agent has declared a deal is ‘likely’.
States Jamie Brown: “The agent of Napoli midfielder Jorginho has confirmed that should Manchester City successfully agree a deal with the Italian club, the player will be heading to the Premier League champions.
“The Italian has been linked with moves to Manchester United and Liverpool over recent months, however, Pep Guardiola’s side look the most likely to capture the players signature.
“Manchester City are keen on adding a midfielder this summer in order to provide cover for both Fernandinho and David Silva next season.
“The Italian midfielder has contributed four goals and four assists in 37 appearances as a defensive midfielder this season playing a key role in helping Napoli to an impressive second-place finish.
“It is reported that Jorginho has a transfer value of just 40 million euros which makes the 26-year-old a very attractive signing.
“Man City are understood to be confident of landing Jorginho this summer and must agree a fee with the Serie A club, according to the player’s agent.”
Allegedly, Joao Santos told Calcio Napoli: “If Napoli finds an agreement with City, the player goes to Manchester.
“Finding an agreement with the English will not be a problem considering the importance of the team but I repeat that decision is for Napoli.”
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Elsewhere, Caught Offside suggest Toni Kroos could be set to make the move to Manchester in search of a new challenge.
Mark Brus declares: “According to Don Balon, this would likely be the case if Real were to beat Liverpool to win their third Champions League final in a row.
“Kroos would be a superb signing for Manchester City as he looks a perfect fit for Pep Guardiola’s style of play, while he’d also bring plenty of experience of winning major honours to the squad.
“Don Balon’s latest report suggests Sergio Ramos is concerned about losing Kroos to City, as he’s tempted by the offer he has on the table from the Premier League champions.”
Meanwhile, Yahoo Sport believe the much-linked Andres Iniesta could be on his way to the Etihad Stadium – in a player-coach role, should Mikel Arteta opt to pursue management at Arsenal.
Scribes Sam Elliot: “Iniesta, 34, is considering a player-coach offer at the Premier League champions where he would link up with his former Nou Camp team-mate and manager Guardiola.
“Arteta has been City’s assistant manager since leaving Arsenal in 2016 and is hot favourite to replace Arsene Wenger at the Emirates.
“A source told Yahoo Sport that club officials are in talks with Iniesta and the Spaniard is keen on a deal.
“Originally, Iniesta said he would play on outside of Europe to avoiding risking playing against Barcelona. Moves to China or America were heavily touted.
“But with the chance of a coaching role at one of the world’s most-high profile clubs, he has had his head turned.”
The gossip does not end there. There’s more, as it’s also suggested City are also keen on securing the services of Milan Skriniar and Arnaut Groeneveld, with an initial €50 million bid rejected for the former.
Forza Italian Football share La Gazzetta dello Sport’s story, which claims Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio has rebuffed approaches of €50m from both City and Barcelona as the club ‘have no intention of parting ways with the Slovakian.’
On Groeneveld, Football Oranje’s Michael Bell reports: “The Premier League giants have a partnership with NAC Breda and would reportedly loan the winger to the Eredivisie side to gain top flight experience.”
In other news, Spanish magician David Silva has a plan to maintain his match fitness ahead of the World Cup, training with third-tier side Navalcarnero.
As Four Four Two explain: “The 32-year-old missed a number of games in Manchester City’s Premier League run-in as he made trips to Spain to see his prematurely-born son.
“And in a bid to sharpen his fitness ahead of their World Cup opener against Portugal on June 15, Spain coach Julen Lopetegui has arranged for Silva to train with the club managed by his friend Julian Calero.
Navalcarnero’s Joaquin Cerda, told AS: “You can imagine how delighted we are. We’re pleased because it’s a reward for the season the team have had. You’ve got to enjoy it.
“Lopetegui needs players who are match fit, like us, and he needs Silva to be with players of a certain level. We play with high intensity and that will help him.”
And that’s your lot! Phew… Time for another cup of tea, I’d say.
