Leroy Sane has been heavily linked with City since the opening day of the transfer window and ESPN reported yesterday in their blog about two Spanish giants joining the chase for the Schalke midfielder, a report that has been expanded upon by the Express.
James Gray writes: “Sane turns 20 today but has already been capped by Germany and linked with a move to the Premier League.
“Liverpool and Manchester City have both expressed an interest in signing the attacking midfielder, with Jurgen Klopp hinting that he would be looking to the Bundesliga for players to improve the Anfield squad.
“However, with Real Madrid also said to be interested in the player, reports in Spain are suggesting that Barcelona are taking closer interest in the player.
“Sane burst onto the European scene in 2015 when he scored one and set up the winner as Schalke beat Real Madrid 4-3 at the Bernabeu in the Champions League last 16.
James Gray
Daily Express
“And after that breakthrough moment, Sane has hardly looked back, providing four goals and four assists in 17 Bundesliga appearances this season, a record which has seen the club slap a £40million price tag on their most prized asset.”
News about a potential departure now and Gazzetta World are reporting that midfielder Yaya Toure could be set to link up with Roberto Mancini again at Inter.
There were initial rumours about the deal at the back end of December, with the report stating that the Ivorian could be seen as a replacement for Geoffrey Kondogbia.
Julian Cardillo scribes: “Dissatisfied with Geoffrey Kondogbia’s performances to date, Inter are once more looking to Manchester City’s Yaya Toure as well as targeting Sampdoria’s Fernando in a bid to add more depth to their midfield.
“The Frenchman put in a lacklustre display in Sunday’s 1-0 loss to Sassuolo, giving the ball away countless times in the middle of the park.
“Beyond his poor performance over the weekend, the 22-year-old Frenchman has been unable to translate his pace, ball control, or physicality to an elite level and has struggled to cope with his price tag.
“For the Nerazzurri, who are hoping to qualify for next year’s Champions League, waiting for Kondogbia to develop and find his form is not an option, especially considering he was purchased for €30 million.
“Therefore the Nerazzurri may be drawn to resume their pursuit of Toure, as it was Mancini who brought the midfielder to Manchester City from Barcelona in 2010.”
And finally, ESPN are speculating about which NYCFC players could join City on loan during the off-season.
Their Manchester City correspondent Jonathan Smith lists five potential targets in the article, with Spanish striker David Villa amongst them.
Smith states: “Manchester City are not expected to make any big moves in the January transfer window after spending more than £150 million in the summer, bringing in the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling and Nicolas Otamendi.
“But with the Blues still challenging for silverware in all four competitions, Manuel Pellegrini’s squad will be stretched to the limit.
“They have already suffered major injury setbacks to captain Vincent Kompany and midfielder Samir Nasri while Sergio Aguero, Pablo Zabaleta and Wilfried Bony have missed large chunks of the season.
“Pellegrini could bolster his numbers by taking talent from sister club New York City.”
