There’s a mixture of old and new as a recurring rumour again makes the back pages, while the press have added a new name to City’s reported targets.
That’s where we’ll start this morning, with Real Betis’ Giovani Lo Celso the latest player suggested to be on Pep Guardiola’s radar.
Writes the Manchester Evening News’ Dan O’Toole: “MEN Sport understands that City boss Pep Guardiola will assess the 23-year-old’s performances for Argentina at this summer’s Copa America, as Tottenham and Atlético Madrid also vie for his services.
“Spurs are believed to have had an offer of €60million (£52.8m) rejected, with Betis, whose 10th-placed league finish denied them of European football next season, of the belief that they can recoup more money from City or Atlético.
“Guardiola is understood to have made a personal request for a report on Lo Celso, with the midfielder’s age and potential making him a possible contender to succeed David Silva at the Etihad.”
Meanwhile, the rumours regarding Matthijs de Ligt’s future continue to rumble on and City remain a part of that transfer talk.
The Daily Star carry quotes from Duncan Castles, who claims the champions were the original forerunners for the defender’s signature.
He said: “There has been talk of Liverpool’s interest which I think is correct.
“Although I don’t think there need is as great, certainly not as great as Manchester United.
“What I do know is that Manchester City have pursued De Ligt for a long time.
“I know that, several months ago, before Barcelona went in strong for De Ligt, that people at Ajax felt City was his most likely destination.”
That’s all for today, but we’ll be back with more from the back pages at the same time tomorrow.
