There’s also a feature asserting that, following a superb showing on our Asia Tour, Rodri has emerged as arguably the best value signing of the summer.
And there is also a look ahead to City’s selection options for next weekend’s eagerly-awaited Community Shield encounter with Liverpool at Wembley.
Transfer gossip
Sportsmole.co.uk Barca want £81m for Semedo amid City interest
Matt Law: “Barcelona have reportedly informed Manchester City that they would have to come up with a bid of £81m in order to open talks with Nelson Semedo over a switch to the Etihad Stadium.
“The Spanish champions are alleged to have already turned down a number of summer offers for the 25-year-old full back, who has made 82 appearances for the club since switching from Benfica in 2017.
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“According to Sport, City have shown an interest in the Portugal international, but Pep Guardiola’s side were told that Barca would refuse to sell for anything less than his £81m release clause.
“The report adds that the Citizens have switched their focus to Semedo after failing to agree terms with Juventus over a potential deal for Joao Cancelo.
“Semedo, who has a contract at Camp Nou until the summer of 2022, made 46 appearances for the Catalan giants during the 2018-19 campaign
“However, the former Sintrense youngster was not always first choice at right-back in La Liga due to the presence of Sergi Roberto.”
Manchester Evening News City given Thiago Almada update from Velez Sarsfield boss
Daniel Murphy: “Gabriel Heinze has offered an update on City transfer target Thiago Almada.
“MEN Sport understands that City are closing in on a deal for the young midfielder, dubbed the ‘new Lionel Messi.’
“The deal is expected to cost City £16million and he is likely to depart on loan next season.
“The 18-year-old was representing Argentina at U20 level when he was still 17, idolises former City captain Carlos Tevez and made 21 appearances for his club Velez Sarsfield last season, scoring four times.
“The Velez manager happens to be former United left-back Heinze, who has confirmed talks are ongoing and has opened up on the situation.
“I talked to Thiago more than once, but these things remain between us,” Heinze told A Bola.
“He is a boy who has confidence and listens to me, and I tell him to look less at the phone and be more with his friends and family. It is not easy because of what is happening.”
Opinion
90min.com Why Rodri is the biggest bargain of the summer
Adam Aladay “The squad depth that exists in the Manchester City squad borders on ridiculous.
READ: Guardiola hails ‘incredible’ Rodri
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“However, there was one area that appeared to show some weakness last season, but such is the quality of City’s scouting network, it was sorted almost immediately.
“The arrival of Rodri from Atletico Madrid is undoubtedly the bargain of the summer, and the 23-year-old may prove to be the final piece of the puzzle to help City win an unprecedented quadruple.
“How many transfer success stories have City had in recent years? Raheem Sterling, Aymeric Laporte, Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, Leroy Sane, the list goes on. And now, Rodri.
“The former Atletico Madrid midfield general has been nicknamed ‘the fire extinguisher’, but City’s new £62.6m signing is much, much more than that.
“The 23-year-old is just the man to break up play whilst also playing the intricate Pep Guardiola way. The Spaniard was the only midfielder to make more than 100 tackles in La Liga last season. That’s astonishing, considering the roles of players like Casemiro and Sergio Busquets.
“But it doesn’t end there. He also recovered the ball on 600 occasions over the course of the past two seasons. Yikes.
“In today’s market, there really aren’t too many better deals to be found. City will be getting a young, intelligent and extremely intricate leader, who will bring the best out of those around him.”
M.E.N City’s Community Shield selection options
Joe Bray: “Pep Guardiola could be without seven key first team players for the Community Shield, despite coming through pre-season without picking up any new injuries.
“Manchester City take on Liverpool at Wembley next week for the chance to retain the Community Shield, and Guardiola is likely to field a similar line up to the side that started the win against Yokohama in Japan on Saturday.
“Brazilian Fernandinho is one of five South American stars who missed the pre-season tour following their involvement in the latter stages of the Copa America.
“Gabriel Jesus, Fernandinho and Ederson won the trophy with Brazil, while Nicolas Otamendi and Sergio Aguero won bronze medals for Argentina.
“All five were given extended time off after the tournament in Brazil and could return to training with the rest of the first team squad this week. However, they are unlikely to be match fit for the Community Shield, especially against an opposition of the quality of Liverpool.
“Riyad Mahrez also tasted success with his country this summer, lifting the African Cup of Nations with Algeria earlier this month. Assuming he is granted the usual three weeks holiday, Mahrez should return just before the first game of the Premier League season at West Ham.
“Finally, Benjamin Mendy will definitely not be available as he continues to recover from knee surgery.”
