Man City transfer window 2015: £130m well spent for Citizens

Man City transfer news: teen striker Unal joins for £2m

7 July

Manchester City have made their first signing of the summer but it is not the big name many fans were expecting.

Despite being linked with a host of big names, including Paul Pogba, Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling, the Daily Express reports that City have signed young Turkish striker Enes Unal, from Bursaspor, for a £2m fee. The 18-year-old’s family are said to be City fans.

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The teenager has already played for the Turkish national team and became the youngest ever scorer in the Turkish top flight when he netted against Galatasaray at the age of 16 in 2013.

City may be forced to push the boat out if they want to land former Chelsea star de Bruyne, reports the Daily Mail. It says that Paris Saint-Germain, like City recently freed from the constraints of Uefa's financial fair play rules, have "emerged as serious contenders" for his signature.

The midfielder has already spoken to the French side and if a bidding war erupts City could have to fork out in excess of £50m to land the midfielder. To make things even trickier for Manuel Pellegrini, De Bruyne's current club, Wolfsburg, "are determined to keep De Bruyne, who is contracted until 2019, and opened talks with the forward over a new deal on Monday."

Man City transfer news: spree begins with £45m Sterling deal

6 July

Manchester City are set to embark on what a huge summer spending spree after their financial fair play restrictions were lifted by Uefa, and Manuel Pellegrini will get things underway by finally landing Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling, whose arrival at the Etihad will herald the start of a multi-million pound splurge.

The Daily Star says City are prepared to offer £45m for the unsettled Liverpool striker, who seems destined to leave Anfield. And after having two bids for Sterling rejected it looks like third time lucky for City, even though Liverpool have been demanding £50m for their 20-year-old contract rebel.

But landing Sterling will be just the start for Manuel Pellegrini and the paper adds that City have drawn up a "record-busting £191m wish list" and are ready to break the bank in pursuit of the world's top players.

Juventus star Paul Pogba is also on the wanted list after his proposed move to Barcelona hit a snag. The Star also say City are interested in Wolfsburg winger Kevin De Bruyne, 24, who would command a fee of £45m and Aston Villa midfielder Fabian Delph, 25, who is priced at £8m.

Man City transfer news: Pogba slipping away

02 July

There are signs of mixed fortunes for Manchester City in the transfer market this morning, with the Daily Mail claiming that the Sky Blues "face an increasingly desperate battle to sign Paul Pogba" from Juventus.

On the other hand, City are cautiously optimistic that they are edging closer to securing a deal for Kevin De Bruyne. Apparently his agent will discuss his client's future next week with Wolfsburg officials but the 24-year-old Belgium forward has requested that the German club "listen to offers for him". Asked about De Bruyne's future, agent Patrick de Koster is quoted telling the Mail: "I await [Wolfsburg's] proposal. Let the club prove that he is incredibly important and that they themselves are ambitious."

As for Pogba, the Mail says that City are increasingly resigned to missing out to Barcelona in the race to sign the French playmaker. It's reported that "two senior representatives" of the Spanish club, Ariedo Braida and Albert Soler, dined with Juventus managing director Giuseppe Marotta and sporting director Fabio Paratici at a Milan restaurant earlier in the week.

Marotta later confirmed that "a bid of £56.7million had been received" for Pogba, but for now the Italian champions insist that the 22-year-old France midfielder is staying in Turin.

Man City transfer news: Pogba to join in record £60m deal

26 June

Manchester City are set to make the biggest move of the summer as they look to rebuild their squad after relinquishing the Premier League title to Chelsea last season, with The Sun reporting that they're on the verge of breaking the British transfer record to sign Juventus' Paul Pogba for £60m.

The former Manchester United youth star has been strongly linked with a move away from Juventus, with Barcelona leading the betting, but the tabloid now believes that City have won the race for the man they see as "the successor to Yaya Toure" - and it can't resist the headline "Gotcha Pogba".

But Pogba won't come cheap. The current British transfer record stands at £59.7m, the amount Manchester United shelled out on Angel Di Maria last summer, but City are prepared to go one better than their neighbours to land Pogba - although they will also have to find the cash for a reported wage packet of over £200,000 a week to boot.

But City aren't made of money and the Sun claims that the deal for Pogba could put the kibosh on City's pursuit of Raheem Sterling. The Citizens have been told that £40m is not enough for the Liverpool winger, but they will now "hang fire" on the deal and "make the Kop sweat before coming back with a final offer".

City's recruitment from the continent could continue with the signing of versatile Barcelona forward Pedro, says Talksport, as the 27-year-old looks to get more regular first-team football, currently denied to him by Barca's famous 'MSN' front-line of Messi, Suarez and Neymar.

Taking its cue from Mundo Deportivo, Talksport insists that Pedro is open to a move despite the fact that he signed a new contract at the start of June, and that the La Liga champions would be willing to let him go for a fee of around £18m, which could prove more tempting to City than paying out £50m for Liverpool contract rebel Sterling.

Man City transfer news: United face fight for Otamendi

24 June

Just when Manchester United looked racing certainties to sign Valencia defender Nicolas Otamendi, the Daily Star reports that Manchester City "have entered the race" for the centre-back.

Real Madrid were at one stage considered to be United's greatest threat to their landing the Argentine, but the Star claims Otamendi is now being pursued by Manuel Pellegrini.

The City boss is ready "to put a spanner in the [United] works by launching a bid for the Valencia man after deciding that neither Vincent Kompany nor Eliaquim Mangala looked secure at the back last season.The Star, citing Spanish outlet Cadena SER as its source, says City are ready to make a bid for the £35m-rated defender and will use the transfer of striker Alvaro Negredo "as a bargaining chip in any deal". Apparently Valencia still haven't coughed up the full £25m transfer fee agreed by the two clubs last year and consequently for City might "drive down Otamendi's asking price by using the outstanding cash from the Negredo transfer"

Man City transfer news: Wilshere ready to quit Arsenal

23 June

The ambitions of Manchester City appears to know no bounds with The Sun reporting that the Sky Blues – last week strongly linked with a move for Liverpool's Raheem Sterling – will "move for Jack Wilshere if they miss out on Paul Pogba".

Apparently City are "desperate" to sign the French playmaker but Juventus are demanding an eye-watering £71m, enough to deter City and perhaps also Barcelona and Real Madrid.

If Juventus don't lower their price then City boss Manuel Pellegrini will instead launch a bid for Wilshere. The Sun claims that he is "a huge fan" of the Arsenal midfielder and the asking price of £40m is more acceptable to City.

But would Wilshere want to move north? The Sun says that the 23-year-old "wants to stay at Arsenal but only if he is playing regularly". If he doesn't get assurances from manager Arsene Wenger that he will be a regular starter next season then Wilshere could accept City's advances.

Man City transfer news: £50m for Sterling; Wilshere next?

22 June

Will it be third time lucky for the Sky Blues in their attempt to sign Raheem Sterling? Yes, claims the Daily Express, which reports that City "will meet Liverpool's £50m asking price" for the 21-year-old.

Their last two bids – including one worth £40m plus add-ons last week – were both kicked into the long grass by the Reds, but the Express says it has it on good authority that City will up their offer to the required £50m as they look to snap up some of England's finest young talents over the summer.

With the Daily Star saying over the weekend that City are hoping to clinch the signature of Arsenal's Jack Wilshere for £40m, the purchase of Sterling as well would signify a statement of real intent from the Sky Blues.

Conscious of the fact that Real Madrid and Chelsea are stalking Sterling, the Etihad outfit will make their third offer "in the next few days". The Express says that Liverpool are already planning how to best spend the £50m with Hoffenheim midfielder Roberto Firmino and Southampton full-back Nathaniel Clyne both on their radar, and both likely to cost £15m each.

Man City transfer news: £80m for Wilshere and Sterling?

18 June

Are City to make an attempt to lure Jack Wilshere from the Emirates? The Daily Mirror says so – and that's on top of the Citizens' attempt to sign Raheem Sterling.

Their latest bid to land the Liverpool frontman failed on Wednesday when the Reds rejected a £40m offer and the Mirror says that while "City consider whether to raise their bid", they've also turned their attention to Wilshere. Apparently they will "make an initial £30m move" for the Arsenal midfielder as they look to increase the number of English players in their squad, and the fact Wilshere was on Wednesday fined £40,000 and "severely warned" by the FA for singing dirty songs about Tottenham doesn't seem to bother City.

The Sky Blues have finally got shot of Micah Richards, offloading the 26-year-old defender to Aston Villa. Richards, who won the first of his 13 England caps in 2006 aged just 18, has seen his star wane at the Etihad in recent years and last season he was loaned out to Italian outfit Fiorentina. Despite being linked to the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal in recent months, the official Aston Villa website announced the transfer of Richards, who'll arrive on 1 July after agreeing a four-year deal with the club.

"I'm really pleased to get Micah on board," said Villa boss Tim Sherwood. "I'm sure he will prove to be an excellent signing for the football club."

Man City transfer news: £40m Sterling bid 'will be rejected'

17 June

Manchester City have made an improved £35.5m offer for Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling after their opening bid worth up to £30m was rejected, reports the BBC.

However, the Merseyside club are likely to reject City's latest overtures, even though add-ons in the deal could see the fee could go as high as £40m. The Reds value the England star at £50m and have so far refused to haggle.

City have indicated "they will not go that far" says the Daily Mail, but they have "raised the stakes" with the new offer.

Liverpool have "made it clear they want a straight cash deal for Sterling", adds the paper, and even though City will not be able to tempt the Reds with any of their own surplus squad players "Sterling's exit from Anfield now seems inevitable and it would appear to be the only issue is at what price the two clubs can strike a deal".

Elsewhere City have identified Fabian Delph as a major summer transfer target. According to the Daily Mail, the English midfielder's performances have made the Sky Blues "sit up and take notice". With City looking almost certain to miss out on Juventus playmaker Paul Pogba this summer, the Mail says they are looking about for alternatives and Delph fits the bill.

The Etihad outfit have "made an informal enquiry about Delph", who signed a new four-year deal at Villa Park last February. The Mail notes that City have the financial firepower to win any potential transfer struggle and it's believed that the 25-year-old Delph would welcome the chance to play for one of the big guns in order to further his international prospects.

Meanwhile Sergio Aguero has given the Sky Blues a proverbial shot in the arm by pledging his loyalty to the club. Earlier in the summer rumours began to circulate to the effect that the Argentina forward might be on the move out of the Etihad.

It was said he was being "courted" by Real Madrid, although such stories have been the norm since Aguero arrived at City in 2011. But the Daily Express reports comments made by the 27-year in South America, shortly before he scored the winner for Argentina against Uruguay in the Copa America.

"The truth is yes, I'm very happy," he said, when asked about life at City. "I'm enjoying these four years that I've had at City and there are still many more years to come. I'm very happy."

Man City transfer news: Will Di Maria do a Tevez and join City?

15 June

Manchester City "are among a group of leading European clubs" interested in signing Angel di Maria from arch rivals Manchester United, according to the Sunday Times.

The winger has had a miserable time at Old Trafford since his arrival from Real Madrid for a record £60m fee 12 months ago, while City have a track record in luring Argentine forwards to the blue side of town, after persuading Carlos Tevez to switch allegiance.

City were reportedly keen on Di Maria last summer, but missed out because Financial Fair Play restrictions meant they couldn't afford his transfer fee. But those concerns are now a thing of the past, and the Times says that Txiki Begiristain, City's director of football, "has asked the forward's advisers if he would consider a cross-city transfer".

But City may have a fight on their hands because Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Barcelona have all registered an interest in signing Di Maria with the French club believed to be in pole position to win the race.

Meanwhile, hyperinflation has taken hold at the Daily Star, which claims in an "exclusive" that Manchester City "will have to pay £155m to secure Paul Pogba from Juventus".

The Sky Blues have long been linked to the French playmaker but according to the Star the Italian champions want £80m for the player, who quit Manchester United three years ago. That's £20m more than the Star's valuation two weeks ago.

That figure rises still further to £155m when the 22-year-old's wages of £250k-a-week over five years are factored in.

But City aren't alone in being willing to meet that eye-watering amount with the Star saying Real Madrid and Barcelona are also interested in landing Pogba.

Man City transfer news: £30m Sterling bid and Martinez move

12 June

They have been relatively quiet so far this summer, but days after Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak vowed to freshen up the squad this summer the Eithad transfer machine has rumbled into life.

First up the Citizens have landed the first blow in the battle for Raheem Sterling, with The Times reporting that Liverpool have been forced to turn down a £30m offer for the unsettled England forward.

The bid, reportedly tabled earlier this week, involved a £25m down payment, with a possible £5m in extras linked to results. However, The Times says Liverpool want something closer to £50m and "maintain that they will not consider selling for less than that sum".

City have also rained on Arsenal's parade by signalling their intent to make a move for Porto striker Jackson Martinez. The 28-year-old Colombian has been tipped to join the Gunners or AC Milan this summer, but Sky Italia says City are now in the hunt and are prepared to offer Martinez a wage that dwarfs anything offered by their rivals.

Apparently Sky Blues boss Manuel Pellegrini wants to partner Martinez with Sergio Aguero up front and he's ready to lure the South American sharpshooter to the Etihad whatever the cost.

In other news the Daily Mail reports that Tim Sherwood is hoping to make City defender Micah Richards his first signing as Aston Villa manager. Richards has been on City's books since he was a teenager, but he has become a peripheral figure at the Etihad in recent seasons and spent last season on loan at Fiorentina. The 26-year-old's contract has now expired and he is set to move to Villa.

Man City transfer news: £118m bill for De Bruyne and Pogba

1 June

"Stunned" is the word used by the Daily Star to describe Manchester City's reaction to the news they'll have to fork out a "huge" £118m on their big two transfer targets this summer.

The paper says that Sky Blues boss Manuel Pellegrini has earmarked Wolfsburg midfield star Kevin De Bruyne and Paul Pogba as his two marquee signings but has only recently learned that the first will set the club back £58m, and the second a cool £60m.

Apparently Wolfsburg has upped the Belgian's price tag from £35m to £58m because they are desperate to keep the 23-year-old and hope the new valuation will cool City's ardour. The Star says De Bruyne is undecided about his future with Man United, Bayern Munich and PSG all showing the same sort of interest as City.

As for Pogba, his future is also up in the air with the Juventus playmaker linked with a move away from Turin this summer with Real Madrid and Barcelona both mooted as possible destinations for the Frenchman.

Yaya Toure appears convinced that City will fork out the cash, after announcing that he would stay at the Etihad for another season. The Manchester Evening News reports that the midfield dynamo has performed yet another u-turn and decided not to leave this summer because he "believes the club’s transfer plans this summer will see them rise to the challenge of Premier League champions Chelsea".

The Ivorian also said he wanted to guide City to success in the Champions League, a competition the Citizens have failed to make any impression on in recent seasons.

Man City transfer news: Pogba hunt is on as Real Madrid back off

29 May

The Sky Blues are back in the hunt for Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba after Real Madrid issued a statement denying reports that they have made a bid for the former Manchester United star.

Earlier in the week Italian rag La Stampa reported that Real had offered the 22-year-old a five-year deal worth €10m per season. But Sky Sports reports that Real have issued a press statement rubbishing the claim that they are poised to make a move for Pogba.

"The club wishes to state the following," ran the statement. "Real Madrid have had no contact either with Juventus or the player's agent and, as a consequence, the reports published in this newspaper are completely false."

The unusual denial will be a boost to Manchester City, as well as Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, all of whom have been trailing the 22-year-old playmaker in recent months.

City are also hopeful of holding on to midfielder James Milner, linked with a move to Arsenal or Liverpool this summer when his current deal expires.

Although he will be out of contract at the end of the month, the Manchester Evening News says the club hopes Milner can still be persuaded to sign a new deal.

Key to that hope is a salary of £165,000-a-week, but the paper notes that Milner is more concerned about getting extra playing time, which makes Liverpool the most attractive option.

Man City transfer news: Barcelona join battle for Pogba

22 May

The latest instalment in the soap opera that is the future of Paul Pogba comes courtesy of Talksport with the broadcaster reporting that Barcelona "have joined the race" to sign the 22-year-old playmaker, even though they cannot currently sign players until January.

Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain have been leading the race to sign the Juventus star but Talksport quotes Spanish news outlet Sport, which claims Barcelona "have already held positive talks with Pogba's agent". That would be Mino Raiola, who has been bullishly talking up his credit's credentials in recent weeks, declaring that if the French international does leave Turin it will be only for mega-money.

According to Talksport City and PSG are both ready to meet the £55m asking price, but so too are Barcelona, which could lead to a frenzied bidding war when next month's transfer window opens.

If they do miss out on Pogba cold Alex Song be a viable alternative? The Daily Telegraph believes so and says that City is one of several clubs trailing the Barcelona midfielder who has spent the last season on loan at West Ham and impressed in east London.

One player unlikely to be at the Etihad next season is James Milner, who is close to a move to either Arsenal or Liverpool, according to the Daily Mirror. It hints that Liverpool are likely to win the race.