With no midweek game, other topics are required to fill the pages and this Monday morning, the press examine ‘the latest’ transfer speculation and highlight some praise for a young but impactful loanee.
Former Blue Dedryck Boyata believes wonderkid Patrick Roberts deserves to play on football’s biggest stage.
Quoted in the Daily Record, the defender declared: “I cannot predict the future but Patrick is a very good player with great abilities.
“He deserves to play at the biggest level in the world.
“For Patrick I can only hope the best for him there.
“He knows it’s not going to be easy but he will give the best he can and everybody here knows his qualities.
“I think he has improved a lot. The manager has improved him and given him a lot of confidence.
“Scoring-wise, giving us these assists, being helpful to the team. The manager has worked a lot with him and it’s been paying off.
“He is a very, very good player. I don’t think anyone can say the opposite.
“He has very good abilities but you don’t know what can happen. I’m not the one who will make the decision for him.
“If I had to choose then, of course, I would have Patrick in my team.
“But it’s not up to me. If he goes back there then good luck to him.
“He’s a plus, he has shown a lot, playing as a striker, playing as winger, making assists, scoring two against St Johnstone.”
In other news, the Daily Express claim Pep Guardiola is set to splash £85million in the summer on Alex Sandro and Kyle Walker.
According to Neil Fissler: “Guardiola is ready to spend half the money he has available on two full-backs and has opened talks with Juventus about Sandro.
“He failed in a bid to sign the Brazilian left back, 26, last summer but is going back in with an offer of £45million.
“Guardiola is close to persuading Tottenham to sell him England right-back Walker in a deal which would cost him close to £40million.
“Walker is believed to be unsettled at White Hart Lane and City are ready to double his £70,000-a-week wages to lure him back to the north.
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“And Spurs are willing to do business especially as Mauricio Pochettino see’s Kieran Trippier as his first-choice right back.”
In other news, the Metro report City have made no offer for Sead Kolasinac, amid suggestions the Blues are looking to ‘hijack’ Arsenal’s deal.
Writes Coral Barry: “Arsenal were believed to have agreed a deal to bring the left-back to the Emirates in the summer as Arsene Wenger begins a rebuilding job at the club.
“Kolasinac has been linked with a host of Premier League clubs and is available on a free transfer at the end of the season.
“Guardiola is attracted to Kolasinac’s versatility and was on the verge of making a move for him in January.
“Kolasinac will have the choice of several clubs in the summer with Italian side AC Milan also eager to lure the Bosnia and Herzegovina international away from the Bundesliga.”
