They write:“Lichtsteiner to City according to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo has reported interesting news about Stephan Lichtsteiner’s future.
“According to the Catalan reports, Juve’s right-back –currently playing in the European Championship with Switzerland- could leave Turin during the summer.
“New Manchester City Pep Guardiola is at work to convince him to join the Premier League side. Lichtsteiner, 32, has a contract until 2017 and will face strong competition by new signing Daniel Alves for his role. Meanwhile, Pablo Zabaleta is about to leave Manchester City, thus leaving an empty spot for a new signing.”
Meanwhile Vincent Kompany, enjoying his Euro 2016 pundit role on the BBC, leapt to the defence of team-mate Joe Hart who received criticism for Gareth Bale’s free-kick goal for Wales yesterday.
While Hart is the first one to hold his hands up if he makes a misjudgement, Kompany reminded those who need reminding that the City keeper is a huge asset for club and country.
He said: ‘It has not cost his team; he handled the rest of the game perfectly and everything before that.
‘England are very lucky to have a goalkeeper like Joe Hart and, mark my words, there will be a save that he will make at some stage that will help England progress.
‘As a footballer he has improved, but as a character in the dressing room he has taken up responsibility. He has big shoulders now and I think he thrives on responsibility now. That makes him a natural leader for the team, never mind his qualities on the pitch.
‘Before people starting talking about the mistake, think about what England would lack if he wasn’t there.’
Well said, skipper.
Finally, more reports coming out of Spain linking Nolito with a switch to City.
The IB Times write: “Celta Vigo president Carlos Mouriño has confirmed he expects Spain international Nolito to leave the club during the coming summer transfer window, amid reports linking him with Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City.
“The club chief has told suitors that they will need to pay his €18m (£14.3m, $20.1m) release clause in full, as Celta are not ready to negotiate a lower price
“Spanish TV Tele5 reported in the preview of the Spain’s 1-0 victory over the Czech Republic that the former Barcelona winger was inching closer to a move to Manchester City where he would reunite with Pep Guardiola, adding that Tottenham were also monitoring the situation.
“Mundo Deportivo and The Sun later confirmed that Guardiola wants to make Nolito his second signing of the summer, having already recruited Ilkay Gundogan from Borussia Dortmund.”
More gossip and rumour in our media wrap tomorrow…
