Man City transfer news: Four depart in Deadline Day cull

Man City transfer news: Leroy Sane and Ilkay Gundogan on the radar

18 February

There's nothing like talk of a 'bidding war' to warm the cockles on a cold February morning, and Talksport promises that there is one in the offing when discussing the future of Leroy Sane.

The Schalke midfielder, still only 20, has caught the eye of City, but wooing him will not be simple as Talksport claims "Barcelona are set to enter a bidding war" with the Citizens.

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Taking Spanish rag Mundo Deportivo as its source, the British broadcaster says that Barca have scouted Sane on several occasions this season and "are determined to beat their former manager, Pep Guardiola, to the player's signature".

The young playmaker has a £29m release clause in his contract - which runs until 2019 - and Schalke will sell provided any suitor meets that sum. Talksport says that City were "favourites" to bag Sane but now Barcelona have edged in front after despatching their technical secretary, Robert Fernandez, to Germany last week to discuss a move to the Camp Nou in the summer.

There is more cockle-warming in the pages of The Sun, which claims that it's Arsenal "who are set to go to war" with Barcelona over Sane.

Meanwhile, Talksport also reports that City are one of three Premier League clubs tailing Borussia Dortmund ace Ilkay Gundogan. The 25-year-old midfielder is said to have stalled on penning a new deal and rumours are gathering pace that he's seeking a fresh challenge in England next season. City, Arsenal and Liverpool are all mentioned as possible destinations with the latter in pole position because of the presence of former Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp.

Man City transfer news: Neymar cools talk of Barcelona exit

17 February

Everyone calm down. That's the gist of the message from Neymar to Manchester City with The Sun reporting that the 24-year-old frontman "has cooled talk of a sensational move to the Premier League" - possibly because he won't be able to get there on his private jet or yacht, which have been seized by a Brazilian court.

Rumours have been doing the rounds that Neymar, who is under investigation over claims of tax evasion, was thinking of quitting the Camp Nou for the Etihad, with manager elect Pep Guardiola said to be "desperate" to sign the South American, regardless of his £144m release clause.

But the Sun says that Neymar has told Spanish rag Sport that he is confident he will agree a contract extension with the European champions.

"The renewal [talks] are under way," he said. "I still have three years left on my contract and I am relaxed. I'm optimistic we will reach an agreement.”

It's not often the Hartlepool Mail gets a namecheck in Transfer Talk but the paper reports that the Sky Blues are scouting teenager Jack Blackford. The 17-year-old winger, who's been attracting interest from a number of Premier League clubs, has just been given a trial with the Citizens and an offer could be forthcoming.

Man City transfer news: Alaba to join Guardiola in England?

15 February

The start of a new week and as far as the Sky Blues are concerned, that means a fresh round of rumours about likely targets for Pep Guardiola. First up is the claim in the Daily Star that the manager will bring David Alaba with him from Bayern Munich when he arrives at the Etihad.

The defender is highly coveted by the German champions and the Star says Bayern "will fight to keep Austria's left back". The 23-year-old has two years left on his contract but reports from Germany suggest City are ready to table a £40m bid, "which would be a world record for a full-back".

Apparently, Guardiola has already run the rule over City's current crop of full-backs – Bacary Sagna, Pablo Zabaleta, Aleksandar Kolarov and Gael Clichy – and believes he'll need a younger stopper if City are to avoid conceding sloppy late goals the way they did against Tottenham on Sunday.

And the Star says Guardiola will also be cherry-picking stars from Borussia Monchengladbach, with midfielder Mahmoud Dahoud firmly in his sights. The 20-year-old played against City in the Champions League earlier in the season and according to the Star, the Germany under-19 international "is regarded as one of the outstanding prospects in the Bundesliga".

Man City transfer news: Busquets offer, but no Payet deal

12 February

The football gods give with one hand and take with the other, as incoming Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola doubtless already knows.

But if he was in need of a reminder, he had one this week as City were linked with moves for West Ham playmaker Dimitri Payet and Barcelona star Sergio Busquets.

The day after City's interest in Payet was revealed, the Hammers tied down their man. The 28-year-old has been a revelation in the Premier League this season and in addition to City, has reportedly been courted by Chelsea, Arsenal and clubs in football's new hotspot, China.

But, as FourFourTwo reports, West Ham this week persuaded him "to agree to improved terms and a brief extension to the five-year contract" he signed when arriving from Marseilles in June.

There is better news about Busquets, however. Spanish paper Sport reports the flirtation between player and club is going well. The midfielder suggested earlier in the week that he would be keen to work with Guardiola and City have since "been in contact with the player's representatives to make it clear that the doors are open".

It is not a "formal" offer, insists Sport, which says City do not want to drag Busquets from Barcelona but would offer him a place to stay were he to leave of his own volition.

Another summer target for Guardiola could be Roma midfielder Leandro Paredes, who is also wanted by Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.

According to Talksport, Roma are "bracing themselves for interest" from Manchester City with Parades, who only joined Roma from Boca Juniors in 2014, high on Guardiola's shopping list.

Man City transfer news: now Guardiola wants Dimitri Payet

11 February

It's hard to keep track of who exactly will be Pep Guardiola's first signing at City. One day it's Neymar, the next Sergio Busquets - and let's not forget "Chewy" Luis Suarez.

Now, according to Talksport, West Ham star Dimitri Payet is top of the Spaniard's summer shopping list. The broadcaster claims Guardiola is "planning a big-money move" for the 28-year-old Frenchman in the summer.

Reports earlier in the week alleged Payet's agent had demanded a huge wage hike from the Hammers, despite the fact he only arrived in England from Marseille last summer. This alerted Arsenal to the possibility of a summer exit if his terms were not met.

But while Payet has said "he is happy" to stay at Upton Park - or rather, the Olympic Stadium from next season - it's believed an eye-watering offer from the Sky Blues could weaken his resolve and also that of West Ham. The London club are said to be "desperate" to keep Payet, but might well relent if City - as Talksport says - table a bid in the region of £30m.