The first is one that’s rumbled on throughout the close season, with the Mirror now claiming City are in pole position to sign Leicester City’s Harry Maguire.
Writes David McDonnell: “Manchester City are poised to beat local rivals Manchester United to the £65million capture of Harry Maguire this summer.
“Both Manchester clubs are in for England star Maguire, but Premier League champions City have moved ahead of United in the race to sign him.
“Maguire is ready to move on after two years at Leicester and it is understood City is the 26-year-old’s preferred destination, in particular the chance to play under Pep Guardiola.”
A new name has also been added to the gossip columns this week, however, with reports that the Premier League champions are eyeing one of La Liga’s veteran goalkeepers.
The Manchester Evening News have the story and Stuart Brennan writes: “Manchester City are considering a move for 35-year-old Eibar goalkeeper Asier Riesgo to become their third-choice keeper.
“With Claudio Bravo due back after an Achilles injury which kept him out for the entire season, City will consider loan moves for Aro Muric – wanted by Championship clubs Preston and Nottingham Forest – and Danny Grimshaw.
“But Pep Guardiola wants experienced back-up to first choice Ederson and Bravo, and Riesgo has emerged as a surprise option on a free transfer.”
Meanwhile, there’s been plenty of reaction to the news of Oleksandr Zinchenko’s contract extension and the Manchester Evening News have penned a glowing review, highlighting why the Ukrainian is such a valued member of the City squad.
Simon Bajkowski explains: “Guardiola knows exactly what he is going to get from Zinchenko.
“There will be mistakes - as there were at Southampton in December - but in a small squad the manager needs to be able to know they are getting total commitment from a player whether they are picked or not and the Ukrainian is one that can definitely be relied upon.”
That’s all for today, but we’ll be back with more paper talk at the same time tomorrow.
