The Blues continue to be linked with numerous players throughout Europe, but a few names keep cropping up.
According to ESPN, one of them - Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - will cost around £65m
They report: “Manchester City will be forced into breaking the British transfer record if they are to bring Borussia Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to the Etihad this summer.
A salivating prospect involving the Gabonese joining Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero up top for City could materialise, say the Mirror, but they will need to stump up a mind-blowing £65 million to push through a deal
“After scoring 25 goals during the campaign, Aubameyang was named Bundesliga player of the season and appears to be a key part of Pep Guardiola’s plans as a new era kicks off in Manchester.”
The Independent, meanwhile, suggest a second summer recruit could arrive in a matter of days.
They write:“City are reportedly confident of wrapping up a deal to sign Athletic Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte this week.
“The Frenchman has been coveted by the four-time English champions since March and is considered by Pep Guardiola to have the desired qualities to tighten up a defence which conceded more goals than any of City’s top-four rivals last season.
“Guardiola has already secured the signature of Borussia Dortmund midfielder İlkay Gündoğan this summer and Marca reports that Laporte will be next in at the Etihad, once terms have been agreed on a contract expected to run until 2019.”
The Daily Star believe that if outgoing boss Manuel Pellegrini pens a contract at AC Milan, he may return to the Etihad to take a couple of City stalwarts with him.
Report the Star: “Yaya Toure and Pablo Zabaleta could be eyeing up Italian jobs if former manager Manuel Pellegrini joins AC Milan
“There are suggestions the ex-Manchester City boss is their No.1 choice to revive flagging fortunes – although he has not held official talks with the Serie A side.
“If a move does happen, Pellegrini will square up to another former Etihad chief in Roberto Mancini, currently boss at Inter Milan.
“Mancini had thought he could grab Toure, 33 – but the midfielder has a close relationship with the Chilean and would be happy to work with him again.”
Quite a few ifs and buts there!
Finally, many tabloids and websites have picked up on Joe Hart’s advice – presumably to family members – to stay put after England’s 1-1 draw with Russia ended with crowd trouble.
The Mirror write: “England goalkeeper Joe Hart urged Three Lions fans to “be safe” after the 1-1 draw with Russia.
“Images after the Euro 2016 encounter at the Stade Velodrome appeared to show Russian fans attacking the England supporters in a stand behind the goal.
“It continued a sorry day in Marseille with the Group B opener overshadowed by awful scenes involving supporters and police.
“The Three Lions had to settle for a point on the field despite dominating their opponents throughout as Vasili Berezutski cancelled out Eric Dier’s free-kick.
“After the game, Hart was seen gesturing to a section of England fans, reportedly his family, telling them ‘Be safe, stay here.’”
More news and gossip tomorrow…
