Some include names you’ve heard before, while others may suggest new links. So, let’s see what’s making headlines, shall we?
Perhaps the most shocking tale of the day (prepare yourself...) derives from Tribal Football, who claim Pablo Zabaleta could be on his way to Italy.
An article reads: “Inter coach Roberto Mancini is eager to be reunited with Zabaleta, having won the Premier League title together at City.
“TMW says a round of talks were held over Christmas between the two parties.
“Zabaleta has no plans to leave City in January, but will be open to a switch over the summer.”
In other news, while it was reported yesterday Schalke had valued teenage starlet Leroy Sane at £40million, today it’s argued he is not for sale.
According to ESPN’s Stephen Uersfeld: “Sane, 19, has been linked with a move to City with German tabloid Bild claiming they are ready to bid €55 million for the Germany international.
“However, Schalke chairman of the board Clemens Tonnies said that the club have not received ‘an official offer’ for the attacking midfielder, who scored four goals and set up a further four in the first half of the Bundesliga season.”
Tonnies told Recklinghauser Zeitung: “We have decided to not sell Leroy.
“Should anyone be interested in Leroy, it just confirms the outstanding work of our youth academy.
“But we have decided to not sell Leroy, and the player does not want to leave Schalke. And thus it [a transfer] is not an issue.”
Sane’s agent, Jurgen Milewski, also ruled out a January switch, declaring: “For Leroy, Schalke is the best place. A winter transfer is not an issue; he feels good at Schalke.”
Elsewhere, the Mirror believe City are preparing to enter a three-way battle with Chelsea and Juventus for Isco, with the Blues eyeing a loan move for the Spaniard with a view to a permanent deal in the summer.
Writes John Cross: “City tried to sign Isco when he joined Real Madrid from Malaga in 2013 and his former manager Manuel Pellegrini remains a big admirer.
“Isco is pushing for a move in January because he fears for his place in the Euro 2016 squad if he is not playing regularly.
“City are looking to bolster their squad but know a permanent switch in January could be unlikely but would be interested in a loan.”
And finally, Bruce Archer of the Daily Mail asserts City are stepping up interest in Paris Saint-Germain star, Javier Pastore - again, along with Chelsea.
An article reads: “The Premier League duo will have to compete with Juventus, who are the favourites to land the 26-year-old.
“Pastore joined PSG in 2011 for around £30million from Italian side Palermo. And French publications BuzzSport claim it would take a similar offer to prise him from the Parisians.
“The Argentina international has made just six starts in Ligue 1 this term, scoring once and recording three assists, with Laurent Blanc preferring Angel Di Maria and Lucas Moura in support of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
“Chelsea and City are both weighing up their options after inconsistent first halves of the season.
“BuzzSport suggest Juve will make their move for Pastore if Paul Pogba leaves the club.”
