With just six days until the curtain lifts on another hotly-anticipated Premier League season, there’s still plenty of time for the paper and pixelated pages of the media to go into overdrive around some potential incomings and outgoings at the Etihad Stadium before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.
Here’s a skim through some of the City-related gossip doing the rounds this Sunday morning.
“Manchester City are reportedly ready to challenge Manchester United and Chelsea to signing Gareth Bale” claim the Sunday Express.
“Real Madrid are willing to do business over the Wales superstar in order to fund a move for Kylian Mbappe.
“Monaco’s teenage sensation is a top target at the Bernabeu, and Bale could be axed as a result.
“The 28-year-old has long been targeted by United, and Jose Mourinho wants to bring him to Old Trafford, although prefers to do so next summer.
“Express Sport understands, though, that Chelsea are also tracking Bale’s situation.
“And Antonio Conte has the funds to buy the ex-Tottenham winger, with Chelsea emerging as serious contenders.
“City’s top target to strengthen their attack further has been Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez.
“However, Arsene Wenger has maintained the Gunners will not sell, especially to a direct rival, despite his contract running down.
“With less than a month to go in the summer transfer window, Don Balon claim Pep Guardiola has now joined the race for Bale.
“It is said the City boss would prefer the Madrid ace to Sanchez, with a deal to sign the latter proving complicated.
“While Manchester United have pushed the hardest so far for Bale, City have entered the fight.
“Don Balon add United and City are ready to reach the £90m mark for Bale.
“And that is a figure which Chelsea could afford too as Conte eyes a further four additions to his squad.
“Madrid are apparently in a rush to sell so they can close the arrival of Mbappe with the new season fast approaching.
“In the meantime, Gareth Bale could well feature for Madrid when they face United on Tuesday in the UEFA Super Cup.
And from attack to defence with Squawka reporting that the Blues are “considering making an approach for Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson“
With the potential for more defensive exits, Pep Guardiola’s squad may be short on centre backs come the start of the season and there’s a few media outlets touting the Boro man as an ideal acquisition.
“As reported by the Daily Mail, West Bromwich Albion have had two bids of up to £20 million rejected for Gibson, while Tottenham Hotspur have also expressed interested in signing the 24-year-old, who was called up to the England senior squad last season for the first time.
“Resolute at the back, Gibson averaged eight defensive actions per game in the Premier League last season, while he was successful with 84% of his attempted passes.
“Although he was unable to prevent Middlesbrough from suffering relegation to the Championship, Gibson received widespread praise for the performances that he produced last campaign.”
