Leicester City attacking midfielder James Maddison is the latest name in the frame as City continue to be linked with a stream of potential exciting new talent.
As regards Maddison, Football Insider claims: “Manchester City want to blow Tottenham away to sign Leicester City playmaker James Maddison this summer, Football Insider understands.
“Football Insider revealed earlier last week that Spurs have made an enquiry about the cost of signing the 22-year-old from the Foxes this summer.
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“A City source has told Football Insider the treble winners have also made an approach for Maddison and learned it would take a figure in the region of £60million to convince Leicester to sell him.
“That would represent a gargantuan £37.5million profit on the player signed from Norwich City 12 months ago for £22million.
“Manager Pep Guardiola is a huge admirer, the source explained, of Maddison and his ability to create and score goals, believing he has the class to fit into his side.”
Meanwhile as the guessing game continues to surround the future of highly-prized young Ajax central defender Matthijs de Ligt, two high-profile former managers of the Dutch giants insist that City would be the perfect destination for the youngster if he is to opt for a move away from his native Holland.
The Metro reports: “Both Louis van Gaal and fellow former Ajax manager Peter Bosz have urged Matthijs de Ligt to snub interest from Manchester United and Barcelona and join Manchester City instead.
“The Dutch teenager is at the centre of a transfer tug-of-war this summer, with Barca having been frontrunners for his signature until United made both the centre-back, and his agent Mino Raiola, a more lucrative offer.
“Van Gaal, who previously managed at Old Trafford as well as at Barcelona and Ajax, and Bosz both believe De Ligt would be best placed moving to Manchester – but City rather than United.
“‘I think De Ligt fits perfectly with Manchester City,’ Bosz, who worked with the 19-year-old at Ajax, told FOX Sports.
“Van Gaal chimed in, agreeing: ‘I think exactly the same. Although De Ligt can go to Barcelona too.
“‘He could play at Barcelona, but he could play for Manchester City also, and in that case I would choose Pep Guardiola over Lionel Messi.’
Elsewhere, Bernardo Silva has been chatting to the media ahead of Portugal’s European Nations Cup semi-final against Switzerland on Wednesday.
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And after another magnificent season at club level, the Portuguese midfielder has spelled out what he needs to do to kick-on again in his development and seek to become one of the best players in the world.
Insidefutbol.com scribes: ”The Portuguese midfielder admitted he is a long way from winning the Ballon d’Or, but insists he wants to work hard to reach a level to compete with the best for the individual honour in the future.
“Right now I’m a long way from winning the Ballon d’Or”, Silva told Portuguese broadcaster RTP.
“It’s early to talk about it. I would like to reach a level to compete with the best, but at the moment it is not something that I think about for long.
“But I will work for this.”
Bernardo netted 13 goals and registered 14 assists for his team-mates in all competitions for Manchester City last season.
