Man City transfer verdict: Guardiola must fix dodgy defence

The forthcoming arrival of Pep Guardiola has blown away City's rivals

(Image credit: ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images)

By The Week Staff

last updated 2 February 2016

Man City transfer news: fight for Javier Pastore looms

05 January

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That will cause concern for both Arsenal and Chelsea who have also been linked to Zivkovic in recent months. The pair are even believed to have sent scouts to check out the Partizan pearl but Manuel Pellegrini is ready to "launch a bid for the player" in order to fill the void left by Samir Nasri's lengthy injury. Zivkovic, who has scored 11 goals in 16 games for Partizan, is said to be open to a move to England and Partizan are likely to sell the player for the right sum.

Money is said to be "no object" as City close in on the 28-year-old Messi who is likely to cost £150m in transfer fees from the Camp Nou. Then the Sun says Messi will "demand a weekly wage of £1m" - no, that's not a typo, the Argentine wants to earn £1,000,000 every seven days - over three years, with the possibility of a move to City's sister club, New York City, in the twilight of his career.

Although Shanghai would like to sign Toure next month, the Sun says they are ready to to wait until the end of the season if needs be. Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson manages the Far Eastern side and reports suggest that Toure is likely to accept the offer because at his age he won't get a better one from a European club. It's not known if Shanghai have also promised to give him a big cake for his birthday.

But would Barcelona be willing to sell their star striker? Yes, says the Sun, which states that as long as his buy-out clause is met, the European champions are "believed to be open to offers". That clause, provisionally set at £250m, could be halved by the Catalan club who apparently have "prioritised the renewal of Neymar's contract over Messi". That's left the latter a little peeved and, together with his tax evasion charges, added to Messi's belief that it's time to move on.

And in a further twist to the story, the Sun says that City's board will use the signing of Messi to lure Pep Guardiola to the Etihad as their next gaffer given how well the pair worked together during Guardiola's time in charge at the Camp Nou. Initial talks between the City board and Messi's father (also his agent) have been "positive" and the Sky Blues are increasingly optimistic they will bring the South American sharpshooter to the north-west next year.

The Mirror claims that the Citizens are going to make the Reds a mouth-watering offer in the new year, although Liverpool will do their utmost to keep the "Samba star". And the player's agent, Kia Joorabchian, had some reassuring words for the Kop when asked about Coutinho's future. "Philippe is extremely happy at Liverpool,” he replied. “He signed a long-term contract towards the end of last season that represents his ambition and his feeling for Liverpool. Reports that I have been talking to clubs about Philippe are not true."

Meanwhile the Daily Mail says that City are "watching" Vitesse Arnhem teenager Thomas Buitink. Only 15, the teenage striker is rated as one of the best hitmen in Holland and has already bagged more than 100 goals at youth level for Vitesse. Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal are "expected to watch him in coming weeks" but the Mail says that City have stolen a march on their rivals and hope to tie him to the Etihad with a youth contract before long.

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