Alex Sandro’s name has cropped up again on the list of reported City targets, as the rumour mill cranks up a notch ahead of 1 July.
The Sun is the newspaper to run the story, suggesting the Blues could launch a bid for the Juventus man in the coming days.
Gary Stonehouse reports: “Premium Sport claims that Pep Guardiola is set to make his move for the 26-year-old imminently.
“Guardiola is on the lookout for new full-backs and would have to shell out around £42million to Juventus for the defender.”
Left-backs seem to be the order of the day and after a several months leave of absence from the gossip columns, Ryan Bertrand is the second name to break the recent focus on various other rumours.
According to The Mirror, the Southampton defender is eyeing a move away from St Mary’s, with East Manchester his likely destination.
David Anderson writes: “City have been tracking Bertrand for months and have stepped up their interest because they have failed to agree a deal with Monaco for the £40m-rated Benjamin Mendy.
“Bertrand, 27, joined Saints from Chelsea for £10m in February 2015, and City feel he may be a more-attractive proposition than Mendy because he is home-grown.
“City boss Pep Guardiola has made signing a new left-back a priority this summer after releasing Gael Clichy and he wants a high-energy player suited to pushing into midfield whenever the Blues have possession.”
Meanwhile, with the news that Angus Gunn has joined Norwich on a season-long loan comes reaction from the player’s father.
Former Canaries’ ‘keeper Bryan Gunn has commented on his son’s move in an interview for the Norwich website.
Gunn senior said: “It’s down to him to make his own stamp on the professional game and it’s great Norwich City are giving him that opportunity.
“There were other Clubs that showed interest but he felt Norwich was the best option for him. There are no guarantees and he knows he has to compete for the number one shirt.
“The modern goalkeeper plays out from the back, which is something he learned at Norwich City when he was younger.
“He’s taken that forward at Manchester City with the likes of Patrick Vieira and Pep Guardiola, so that’s his mantra. If that’s Daniel Farke’s way of playing, he’ll have a goalkeeper capable of doing that.”
That’s all for today, Blues. We’ll be back again tomorrow with more of the same.
