Welcome to Wednesday morning’s Media Watch…
Let’s begin with a reported target who is said to be a potential replacement for Vincent Kompany.
READ: Women’s World Cup Daily
Caught Offside write: “Manchester City want Cruzeiro defender Murilo to fill the void left by Vincent Kompany during the summer transfer window.
“The Belgian centre-back announced his departure from the Etihad Stadium in May, after 11 years of service for the Premier League champions.
“The 33-year-old will return to his former club Anderlecht in a player/manager capacity, which has left City short one world-class defender ahead of the 2019-20 campaign.
“According to Team Talk, Guardiola is now looking to replace Kompany with £15 million-rated Brazilian starlet Murilo, who made his breakthrough to senior level football in 2017.
“The 22-year-old has 41 appearances under his belt for Cruzeiro to date and he has been tipped for a bright future at the very highest level.
“City are closing in on the first summer signing as Guardiola looks to bolster his squad, with Aymeric Laporte and John Stones now the only first-choice centre-backs at the club.”
Meanwhile, Sports Mole suggest Atleti star Rodri has decided to move on this summer after considering his options.
Rodri has been continually linked with a move to City and his club are reported to be keen to get the situation resolved one way or the other.
It reads: “City have reportedly been provided with a boost as they continue to pursue a deal for Atletico Madrid midfielder Rodri.
“The Premier League champions have been strongly linked with the Spain international, who has only completed one season at Wanda Metropolitano.
“Rodri is said to have a €70m (£62.36m) release clause in his contract, a fee which City have allegedly indicated that they are willing to meet this summer.
“According to AS, that development has led to the 22-year-old making the decision to leave Atletico during the current transfer window.
“The report adds that the La Liga side are keen to keep hold of the former Villarreal man, although they do not intend on allowing any uncertainty over the player’s future to continue through to the start of the next campaign.”
On to today’s batch of Joao Felix stories and there seems to have been a definite shift in the potential destination of the Portuguese forward.
For several days it has been suggested there is a tug of war for the teen between City, United and Juventus, but a surprise dark horse has allegedly stolen a march in the race for the Benfica man.
TalkSPORT write: “Joao Felix could snub Manchester City and Manchester United this summer in order join Atletico Madrid, according to reports.
“The Benfica forward is wanted by a host of top clubs around Europe this summer after an impressive breakthrough season.
“The 19-year-old scored 19 goals and provided eight assists and his performances have attracted plenty of suitors.
“Both United and City are said to be interested in meeting his £105m release clause, with Italian champions Juventus also keen to bring him to Turin.
“However, Atletico appear to have jumped to the front of the queue in the race for the teenager as Diego Simeone’s plans a summer rebuild of his squad.
“Spanish newspaper AS claim the starlet is hoping for a move to the Wanda Metropolitano after being convinced by his agent Jorge Mendes.
“Felix was said to have been doubting a move before Mendes stepped in and explained Atleti’s stature in Europe and ambitions for the future.”
Finally, Sergio Aguero is targeting more silverware this summer as Argentina look to win the Copa America.
The Star take up the story “Aguero played his part in memorable triumphs for his country at youth level, twice winning the under-20 World Cup as well as claiming an Olympic gold medal alongside Messi at the 2008 Beijing Games.
“But he is desperate to win a major international trophy, above all for Messi, who has lost four finals with the national team, missing out on the last two Copa America finals with painful penalty shootout defeats to Chile.
‘I’m more excited about winning for Leo than for myself because he has played for so long and he has suffered so much,’ Aguero told Fox Sports. ‘Whenever I talk with Leo, we always say ‘Pray that one day it happens for us’. It’s what he wants and it’s what we all want. I put myself in his shoes and I want to do the best.”
“Just as Messi has been unable to replicate his glut of trophies with Barcelona on the international stage, Aguero also showed a desire to balance his considerable success at City with a prize with Argentina after winning a domestic treble.
‘I’m feeling fit and I finished the season well, I have no injuries and I want to do the same for Argentina as I do with City,’
We’ll be back with more gossip and rumours tomorrow.
