In a busy Saturday media watch, there is also praise for Gabriel Jesus ahead of Brazil’s Copa America final against Peru tomorrow night as well as analysis on how the arrival of Rodri has further bolstered our formidable midfield arsenal.
And with England set to conclude their remarkable World Cup campaign with today’s third and fourth place play-off clash against Sweden, City midfielder Jill Scott reflects on how she and the Lionesses aim to channel the hurt of Tuesday’s semi-final loss into securing the bronze medal.
But we kick-off on the transfer front. And despite deals for Angelino and Rodri both being successfully concluded this week, the Daily Star claim that City’s business is not done yet with Juventus full-back Joao Cancelo still in our sights.
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The Star’s Rhys Turrell alleges: “City have got deals over the line of Angelino and Rodri this week - and Cancelo looks to be next.
“The right-back is liked by Pep Guardiola and it appears the Portuguese is being eyed as a long-term option in the starting line-up
“In the latest edition of the Transfer Window Podcast, Duncan Castles said: “They’ve been working on that deal for a while.
“I don’t think it’s absolutely there yet, but I believe Juventus are happy to sell the player and take a profit on the €40.4m transfer fee they paid for Cancelo a year ago.
“Juventus signed Cancelo for around £35m from Valencia but are ready to cash in following City’s interest.
“Transfer Window Podcast guest, Italian journalist Aurelio Capaldi, added: “In Italy it is believed Juventus would like to get €60m (£54m) for Cancelo.”
Staying on the transfer front, FourFourTwo.com carry a report via ESPN Brasil about how highly-rated Gremio winger Everton has revealed that his dream is to play in England, amid reported interest from City.
The wideman has been a key part of the Brazil squad which has reached the final of the Copa America and this week reaffirmed his desire to play abroad.
FourFourTwo.com scribe: “The Brazil international was asked about speculation linking him with a move to the Premier League during a press conference on Thursday and he made no secret of his interest.
“It is the dream of every player who plays at a high level, who dreams to play at a high level, to play in Europe,” he told ESPN Brasil.
“I believe that for me, the most competitive football at the moment is in England, which is a league that attracts a lot of my attention.
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“If I was to choose a league to play in, the Premier League would be a dream come true.
“To play in a league of a very high technical level, tactically as well. It would certainly add a lot in my career.”
Remaining in South America and there are warm words of praise for Gabriel Jesus from Brazilian legend Rivaldo ahead of Sunday’s Copa America final which sees the hosts tackle Peru.
Jesus has been in fine form in Brazil’s march to the final and both scored and created an assist in their 2-0 semi-final win over arch rivals Argentina.
And in his column for Betfair.com legend Rivaldo – who won the World Cup with the South American giants in 2002 – said Jesus had caught his eye
Rivaldo asserts: “Gabriel Jesus has impressed me. We all know that things didn’t went well for Jesus at the 2018 World Cup, as he was a regular first choice player and didn’t score a single goal.
“But (Brazil coach) Tite kept his confidence in the kid and Jesus has rewarded his manager. He is still a young player with great potential and time to evolve - he will have many more opportunities.”
The Manchester Evening News meanwhile carry further analysis on one deal that has been rubber-stamped, our capture earlier this week of Spanish defensive midfield shield Rodri.
And according to Simon Bajkowski, the 23-year-old’s arrival will only add further lustre to an engine room he describes as the most formidable unit in England.
Bajkowski writes: “City’s midfield has been unarguably the strongest in the Premier League for the last two seasons, what has set them apart from their closest rivals, and during that time they have racked up two league titles and the two highest points tallies in the history of the competition.
“The play has been good, and so have the results.
“Which brings us to Rodri, a 23-year-old with La Liga experience at Villarreal and Atletico Madrid who has already been likened to the next Busquets, who arrived in Manchester to give a press conference in fluent English so that he could test out his language skills, and who took time out of his day at the Etihad to make sure some kids remember how enjoying football is the most important part of the game.
“His intelligence has seen him thrive in different teams already and he has watched enough of City to think he can improve them. Pep Guardiola has another of his favourite kind of footballer, and the league’s strongest midfield just got stronger.”
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Finally, the Daily Mail carries heartfelt words from England and City star Jill Scott ahead of the Lionesses third and fourth place play-off clash against Sweden later today.
Speaking to the Mail’s Ian Herbert, Scott has revealed that members of the devastated team sat up virtually all night playing music and trying to ‘empty our heads’ after Tuesday’s 2-1 semi-final defeat by the United States.
Herbert reports: “A fractional VAR decision and missed penalty saw England, who face Sweden in Saturday’s bronze medal match, lose 2-1 and Scott, one of the players of England’s tournament described feeling ‘as low as a snake’s belly.’
“Scott said: ‘You do give everything to it, so when in a minute everything is taken from you in a World Cup semi-final, it really is shattering. Sometimes you think it would have been easier to go home after it because everything has gone.
“But in a weird way, this is the part of the sport I enjoy. I love this part of it. You are so low and you’ve got to get yourself back up now and take some good from this tournament. That’s one bit I’m excited for.
