There’s plenty to ponder over in Thursday morning’s headlines, as media outlets claim to boast ‘the latest developments’ regarding some familiar links, while apparently a new name has also been added to the wanted list.
According to the Daily Star, Pep Guardiola is closing in on a surprise £25m move for former United defender Jonny Evans.
Writes Jeremy Cross: “Guardiola has seen an initial £18m bid turned down but is confident of landing the defender with an improved offer.
“The Spanish boss is keen to add defensive cover to his squad and has made no secret of his desire to land a central defender.
“He wants the option of playing with three at the back this season and has identified Evans as a potential answer.
“The Baggies have rejected two bids from Leicester for Evans this summer before rebuffing City’s approach.
“Baggies boss Tony Pulis has made Evans his club captain this season following Darren Fletcher’s departure to Stoke.
“He is desperate to keep him at the Hawthorns but knows a £25m bid would be difficult to turn down as the Northern Ireland star is keen a move to the Etihad.”
Elsewhere, the Mirror claim to have an update on the Alexis Sanchez saga, believing Arsenal have rejected a bid.
An article reads: “[Sanchez’s agent] Fernando Felicevich told Chile newspaper El Mercurio that the Blues offered £45million for Sanchez, but as you’ll read below from today’s Mirror, the Gunners don’t want to sell.
“Don Balon are also convinced City are still in the hunt for Sanchez, claiming a £60m offer has been made and turned down.
“They continue to link Sanchez with a potential move to Real Madrid as well.
“Arsene Wenger insists he is ready to make a ‘financial sacrifice’ to keep Alexis Sanchez.
“Wenger insists Sanchez will stay beyond the closing of this transfer window on August 31, even though Arsenal are increasingly resigned to losing him for nothing when his contract expires next summer.
“But Gunners boss Wenger claims it could be even more costly to sell now and then replace him, compared to losing the Chilean forward as a free agent at the end of the season.”
Meanwhile, Squawka run a story, carrying comments made by Paris Saint Germain chief Luis Fernandez, who suggests City ‘are in Kylian Mbappe’s head.’
Billy Hammond reports: “Although the French wonder-kid has not submitted a formal transfer request, he was left out of Monaco’s starting 11 at the weekend.
“He watched from the bench as his team took apart Dijon 4-1, at the request of his club.
“PSG and Real Madrid have remained the front runners to sign the French superstar, however, earlier today PSG’s football director Fernandez recognised the very real possibility that Mbappe could end up in a sky blue jersey before the end of the transfer window.”
Said Fernandez: “Cavani-Neymar-Mbappe? With that you win the Champions League!
“Mbappe is very complicated. On Sunday he did not play, but the PSG now with Neymar should look for outgoings like Jesse, Ben Arfa, Aurier, Matuidi, Krychowiak…they have to leave to give us options to sign.
“Mbappe had three teams in the head: Madrid, PSG and City. He must make a decision taking into account the World Cup.
“But it could be that he stays one more year in Monaco to follow his progression. It would not hurt to stay.”
Finally, Tottenham have issued a ‘hands-off’ warning for Dele Alli, amidst alleged interest from City and Barcelona, adding they will not sell – even for £150million.
The Sun’s Neil Ashton states: “Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has made it clear 21-year-old Alli — regarded as one of the best young players in the world — is not for sale at any price.
“And with Neymar moving to PSG for £198m and Kylian Mbappe expected to follow him for £160m, Levy sees no reason why Alli should not be in a similar bracket.
“City and Barca have been monitoring Alli, but Levy has made it clear his future is at White Hart Lane.”
