Apparently, the Blues are plotting a triple swoop for Leory Sane, Gabriel Jesus and Marlos Moreno.
According to Jamie Jackson: “Guardiola has already bought Ilkay Gündogan for £21m, Nolito for £13.8m and Oleksandr Zinchenko for £1.7m, putting the total at £36.5m.
“Schalke want €50m (£41.8m) for the Germany attacking midfielder Sané, with City valuing the 20-year-old at around £5m less.
“City’s sporting director, Txiki Begiristain, is confident of the deal going through. If the clubs split the difference Sané would cost £39.3m, taking Guardiola’s outlay to £75.8m.
“Jesus, a 19-year-old Palmeiras striker, is valued at around £26m by the Brazilian club.
“They rejected a €20m bid (£16.7m) from Juventus, which is closer to the fee City believe he is worth.
“A deal is understood to be close for Jesus – the two clubs being in different time zones, with City in China, is making it tricky to finalise – but if a compromise is found at around halfway and he is bought for around £20m that would be an outlay of £95.8m.
“Atlético Nacional’s Moreno, a 19-year-old Colombian forward, has agreed to move to City for a fee in the region of £8m. This would break the £100m barrier – to £103.8m.”
The same source also claims talks are ongoing regarding the alleged signing of John Stones from Everton.
IN OTHER NEWS: HIGUAIN COMPLETES JUVE MOVE
Meanwhile, the Daily Star suggest City and United are on alert, after Neymar admitted attempting to convince Palmeiras ace Jesus to join Barcelona.
He stated: “I spoke with Gabriel Jesus. Not only with him, but also told other players how it feels to play for Barcelona and to live in the city.
“He is a great player. We know lots of clubs want him. He needs to know the right moment to leave, we want the good players by our side.
“If he comes to Barcelona he will be very happy. Maybe we’re the biggest club in the world. The city and the day-to-day are wonderful.”
Elsewhere, the Express report Borussia Dortmund have rubbished speculation linking Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with a switch to the Etihad Stadium.
Jack Otway explains: “Having already lost three big names in Ilkay Gundogan, Mats Hummels and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Dortmund have insisted that Aubameyang will not be moving to Pep Guardiola’s side.”
Sporting director Michael Zorc told Bild: “All these rumours have already followed us this summer.
“We can only repeat, as always, that he has a contract with us until 2020 and feels good at Borussia Dortmund - as it should remain.”
Finally, Leeds CEO Ben Mansford has revealed Fabian Delph’s hopes of returning to the Yorkshire outfit one day.
Such a move will not be happening any time soon though, as Here In The City’s Dan Coombs explains: “Current Leeds chief executive Ben Mansford used to be Delph’s agent, and even helped him secure his move to Aston Villa.
“Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds at 6pm on Tuesday (26/7) he admits he is still in contact with Delph, and that the midfielder harbours ambitions to one day return to Elland Road.”
Mansford said: “Fabian Delph mentioned he might come back free of charge when he’s 35. If there’s a chance I can nick him back before then, I promise I’ll try.”
That’s all for this morning! Keep your eye out on mancity.com and our @ManCity Twitter feed for all of the latest developments.
