With the transfer window wide open and pre-season games yet to kick-off for the Blues, today’s headlines are full of it. See for yourself…
The top tale of the day derives from the Daily Mail, who believe Leroy Sane has agreed personal terms ahead of an imminent move to the Etihad.
Scribes Matt Hermann: “According to German newspaper BILD, City have not yet made a formal bid but are now prepared to offer €55million (£46.5m) for the player.
“That price would fulfil Schalke sporting director Christian Heidel’s wish to get at least €50m for the player.
“Were Schalke to keep Sane until next year, the player could leave for the pre-negotiated sum of €37m (£31.3m) in the buy-out clause of his contract.
“Sane is currently in Los Angeles following his time with Germany at Euro 2016, and has apparently told friends his representatives have come to terms with City and that he is ready to leave Schalke.
“The attacking midfielder is keen to play for new City manager Pep Guardiola, and does not want to wait until next summer to make a deal happen.”
Elsewhere, speculation over John Stones’ future is never far from the headlines at the moment and the Mirror allegedly have an update.
According to David Maddock: “Everton will slap a world-record fee for a defender on John Stones’ head.
“The Merseysiders are preparing for an imminent bid from Manchester City as Pep Guardiola aims to step up his Sky Blue revolution.
“The current record stands at the £50million Paris Saint-Germain paid Chelsea for David Luiz in June 2014.
“But Everton will tell City that negotiations will only START at that £50m figure, and the fee could be pushed higher than that.
“It is thought the Etihad club will make a formal offer for the 22-year-old England international as early as this weekend, with suggestions from within the club that the offer will match the £40m approach Chelsea made last season.
“But that won’t be enough to bring the Goodison outfit to the table.
“New Everton boss Ronald Koeman will hold out for much more as he looks to raise the cash to sign a top-class replacement.”
Meanwhile, Gazzetta World claim the Blues have opted against a move for either of the two Barcelona goalkeepers, who had been linked.
An article reads: “Pep Guardiola is not interested in bringing Claudio Bravo to Manchester City, whilst a deal for Marc-Andre ter Stegen has fallen through.
“It has been speculated that the Catalan coach is in the hunt for a new keeper and the Chilean was said to be amongst those on his shopping list.
“Keen on goalkeepers with a high level of technical quality and distribution skills, German international ter Stegen was favoured.
“However, with the Westphalian shot-stopper refusing to give up on his Catalan career, the City boss then decided against turning towards the two-time Copa America champion Bravo.
“Whilst the plausibility of a move is high, given Barcelona’s willingness to let last season’s first-choice depart, there has been no movement from the English club towards a move.
“As time goes on, coexistence between the 33-year-old and his 24-year-old teammate may become very complicated and the most likely outcome appears to be the Blaugrana selling the older of the two, Bravo.”
Moving away from transfer gossip… and although Pep Guardiola has only just embarked on his new role, the Manchester Evening News believe he be open to extending his three-year contract.
Writes James Robson: “The Catalan has only just begun a three-year deal at the Etihad - and admitted last week that it would not be his last job in management.
“But he has not ruled out the prospect of signing a new deal, which could see him remain at the club for longer than his previous two posts at Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
“It is understood the 45-year-old has not put a time-limit on his stay, despite his current deal expiring in 2019.”
Finally, on the subject of the new boss, a Real Madrid legend has told press City fans will be wowed by Guardiola’s attacking style of play.
Quoted in the MEN, Raul states: “He did not win the Champions League with Bayern, but many fans, of Bayern and the Bundesliga, enjoyed his way of understanding the game. And the German national team often copied his way of doing things.
“Pep, in the end, re-invents himself every season, every month, every game. I am convinced that Pep will make City’s fans enjoy themselves.”
In other news…
Frank Lampard looks to German model of experienced mentor for England job
