Sky Sports have earned a reputation of being at the forefront of breaking transfer stories over the past decade and they hint the Blues could be about to dip into the market.
They report: “Manchester City could be about to make a major move in the transfer market, according to Sky Sources.
“Sky Sports News HQ understands City are preparing a £19m bid for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Julian Weigl.
“Weigl, 20, has represented Germany at Under-21 level.”
A number of websites and newspapers follow a similar thread so accurate or not, expect this story to trundle on in the coming days.
One possible exit from the Etihad – albeit on a temporary basis – could be teenage winger Patrick Roberts who the Mirror believe could be loaned out to a Premier League rival in the coming days.
They write: “Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe has targeted a loan move for highly-rated Manchester City striker Patrick Roberts.
“The Cherries are so far the biggest spenders in the January transfer window after signing £10m Benik Afobe, £7m Lewis Grabban and Juan Iturbe on loan with a view to a £14m deal.
“Roberts, 18, has struggled to break into the City first-team picture since arriving at the Etihad last summer.
“He played 22 times for Fulham before making his move to Manchester but has made only three appearances this season and is keen to play more regularly.”
It’s a move that would tick a lot of boxes for all concerned but let’s wait and see what actually happens.
Down Under, Fox Sports suggest City will complete the purchase of Anthony Caceres imminently, though he would be then immediately loaned to sister club Melbourne City.
The report reads: “Melbourne City today will complete the loan signing of Central Coast Mariners -attacker Anthony Caceres in an A-League first that could draw the ire of other clubs.
“Manchester City has agreed to buy Caceres, the Mariners’ best player this season, for more than $300,000 and will loan him straight away to its Melbourne sister club for the rest of the A-League season.
“Sydney FC headed a queue of three other clubs that wanted to sign Sydneysider Caceres, 23, but it is believed Mariners owner Mike Charlesworth was reluctant to release or swap him once he realised Manchester City was prepared to pay a transfer fee.
“Caceres is understood to have signed a long-term deal with Manchester City, though his future beyond this season is unclear.”
Finally, in Serie A it appears Stevan Jovetic’s quest to rediscover the form that made him one of Europe’s most coveted strikers continues.
The Montenegrin, currently on loan with Inter, has struggled to impress this season and has never been able to replicate the promise he showed while with Fiorentina.
Football Italia write: “There are reports Inter no longer want Jovetic and will ask Manchester City if he can be loaned out for six months.
“The Montenegro international arrived over the summer on loan for €2.5m with a mandatory option to buy for another €17m.
“However, Sport Italia claim Roberto Mancini and the Nerazzurri don’t want to keep him and are looking for an exit strategy.
“Jovetic himself fuelled speculation this week when posting a picture of a door on social media, which some took to mean he was on his way out.
“Inter could aim to loan the player for the next six months, but would need permission from Manchester City to make that move.
“The Nerazzurri would then have to sell Jo-Jo over the summer. Jovetic scored three goals in his first two Serie A games at Inter, but since then has netted only once and been repeatedly dropped because his partnership with Mauro Icardi does not work.
“Jovetic has played a grand total of eight minutes in the last two Serie A rounds.”
More transfer talk tomorrow…
