Man City transfer news: Four depart in Deadline Day cull

Man City transfer news: Gabriel Jesus ignores Neymar's Barcelona plea

04 August

It is turning into a big week for Manchester City, who have followed the signing of Leroy Sane by securing the services of one of the most sought-after teenagers in world football, Gabriel Jesus, for £27m.

The Brazilian striker has been touted as the country's biggest young star since Neymar and likened to City goal machine Sergio Aguero, so his capture represents a coup for Pep Guardiola.

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"[Jesus] has signed a five-year deal with the club that will tie him down until the summer of 2021," reports the Manchester Evening News, "but will remain with Palmeiras until the end of the Brazilian league season in early December."

Neymar had tried to persuade the teenager to join Barcelona, reports The Guardian, but the Catalans couldn't compete with the prospect of working with Guardiola, who Jesus called a "fantastic manager... that I can learn so much from".

He added: "I'm looking forward to showing the City fans what I can do and I think we'll have a great future together."

In contrast to local rivals Manchester United, who have spent the week fretting over Paul Pogba, City have now landed two big names - and it seems more could be on the way.

Next in line is Marlos Moreno, another South American teenage striker. "City will pay Colombian club Atletico Nacional £4.75m for the 19-year-old, and he is then likely to join La Liga side Deportivo La Coruna on loan," says the BBC.

After that, the final piece in the Etihad jigsaw will be John Stones. The Liverpool Echo says Guardiola will now "prioritise" a deal for the defender, who is valued at £50m by his current club, Everton.

"The former Bayern Munich and Barcelona coach would like Stones to be a City player before they kick off their new Premier League season," says the paper. However, Everton are refusing to budge on the transfer fee.

In contrast to local rivals Manchester United, who have spent the week fretting over Paul Pogba, City have landed two big names and more could be on the way.

Man City transfer news: Leroy Sane signs for £37m, John Stones next

02 August

While Manchester United bite their nails and fret over the deal for Paul Pogba, rivals Manchester City have secured another key summer signing. German midfielder Leroy Sane joined has put his name to a £37m deal from Schalke.

That fee is confirmed by ESPN, which claims "performance-related add-ons could eventually take the total cost up to £46.5m". Others say it will only reach £42m.

The 20-year-old player said the presence of Pep Guardiola at City was key to his decision. "I think he can make me a more complete player," says Sane. "I think I will need a bit of time to start with because it's another league and there's a different style of play, but I think I can adapt very quickly."

Sane, who has been handed the number 19 shirt, could make his City debut in Sunday's friendly against Arsenal in Gothenburg, adds ESPN, which describes him as "one of the most exciting young prospects in Europe".

But with the start of the new Premier League season still almost a fortnight away, Guardiola is not finished in the transfer market.

As well as Sane, the manager has brought in Ilkay Gundogan from Borussia Dortmund for £21.6m, Celta Vigo forward Nolito for £13.8m and Ukraine midfielder Oleksandr Zinchenko from FC Ufa for £3.4m.

Now, according to the Daily Mirror, he will turn his attention to Brazil star Gabriel Jesus, who will be performing for the host country at the Olympics, and Everton defender John Stones.

"City are particularly confident of sealing a deal for Everton and England centre-back Stones, though the Toffees are refusing to budge from their £50million asking price," says the Mirror.

Man City transfer news: Leroy Sane and Gabriel Jesus to sign

01 August

There'll be good news for Man City fans this week, claims The Sun, as long-term target Leoy Sane will finally seal his move to the Etihad in the coming days.

The Schalke winger has apparently "told his club" that he's off to City and that no one will stop him. In return for the 20-year-old Sane, City will give the German club £45m with an initial payment of £31.25m and the rest in add-ons in the coming seasons. Schalke sporting director Christian Heidel has admitted that Sane "told me on Wednesday in an interview again he has requested to change clubs”.

The news is a triumph for Pep Guardiola, who has secured the youngster's signature in the face of competition from Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, although Eurosport struck a note of caution on Sunday evening with a report saying rumours that Sane had undergone a medical yesterday were "false" and there were still some loose ends to tie up.

Meanwhile the International Business Times says that City have agreed a deal with Spanish outfit Palmeiras for Gabriel Jesus. The young Brazilian frontman will move to the Etihad in a £27m deal after the Sky Blues persuaded Jesus he was better off with them than with Manchester United.

The Red Devils had also been chasing the youngster, who is currently in his homeland preparing to represent his country in the Olympic Games. The IBT quotes Brazilian outlet Globoesporte in reporting that all that is to be finalised are personal terms and Jesus will then be officially unveiled as Guardiola's latest acquisition.

Man City transfer news: £50m raid on Arsenal for Aaron Ramsey

29 July

Man City are keen on Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey and are prepared to launch a £50m raid on the Emirates this summer.

The 25-year-old, who was one of the stars of Euro 2016, has two years left to run on his Arsenal contract, but could find it hard to secure a regular starting berth in the Gunners midfield following the arrival of Granit Xhaka this summer and the return to fitness of Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla.

"Arsenal are said to be in no rush to sell the Welshman, who was linked with a move to Manchester United last month," reports the Daily Star, which adds that the Gunners would only consider selling for £50m.

That sort of money would not be a problem for City, however, the Daily Mirror reports that the club's riches are proving to a hindrance as well as a help for new manager Pep Guardiola.

His plans to reshape the squad are being held up by the fact that he cannot offload unwanted stars including Wilfried Bony, Yaya Toure, Jesus Navas and Aleksandar Kolarov.

Their huge salaries are "putting off potential buyers, leaving Guardiola with a bloated squad containing a number of names who aren't in his long-term plans", says the paper.

"Midfielder Toure's £220,000 wages are so high he is expected to stay and see out the last year of his deal because the 33-year-old Ivorian is unlikely to find a club anywhere willing to match his current salary."

With all the dead wood Guardiola is struggling to find room for players like Leroy Sane and John Stones, although both are expected to sign for City this summer.

Man City transfer news: Everton reject John Stones and Wilfried Bony swap

28 July

Manchester City's offer for Everton defender John Stones has been rejected, but the club are still hopeful of landing the England centre-back before the season starts in two weeks' time.

The situation is reminiscent to that of last summer, when Chelsea had several bids for the youngster rejected. However, this time it does appear Stones will move on.

City opened their bidding at £40m and will submit an improved offer, says the Manchester Evening News. But the paper also reports that if Everton refuse to sell, Sky Blues manager Pep Guardiola will turn his attention to Juventus blocker Leonardo Bonucci.

"Stones remains Guardiola's top defensive target, with City poised to make an increased bid for the England international this week," it says. "Everton are holding out for £50m – but a deal is expected to be reached."

That agreement will only involve cash, reports the Liverpool Echo. A player-plus-cash deal involving unloved City striker Wilfried Bony was "rejected out of hand by Everton", even though they could lose Romelu Lukaku this summer, adds the paper.

One defender who definitely won't be heading to the Etihad is Danny Rose of Tottenham Hotspur. The 26-year-old was one of the few players not to disappoint for England at Euro 2016, says the Daily Mirror, and is set to sign a new deal at White Hart Lane despite "interest from Manchester City and Chelsea".

However, the paper adds that "City have shelved plans to sign new full-backs this summer".

Man City transfer news: John Stones, Leroy Sane and Gabriel Jesus to sign

27 July

Last year's Chelsea's tortuous pursuit of Everton defender John Stones came to nothing, and Manchester City's attempts to land the same player this summer are taking just as long.

But, according to the Daily Star, there has been progress and Manchester City are "in talks with Everton" to sign Stones and the paper says "he wants to go" to the Etihad.

Last weekend the Sky Blues were said to weighing up a double swoop for Stones and Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and while the latter has since said he'd only leave Germany to play for Real Madrid, the Star says that the Everton defender "has made it clear he wants to play under Pep Guardiola".

Chelsea failed three times to prise the 22-year-old England centre-back from Goodison Park last summer but the Citizens are on course to seal a deal although the two clubs are yet to agree a fee. The Star claims that the sticking point is the fee with the Merseyside club "insisting on £50m-plus", which is said to be around £10m more than City are willing to pay.

Meanwhile Goal.com claims that City "are getting close" to completing the signings of Leroy Sane and Gabriel Jesus. In particular negotiations are going well vis-a-vis Leroy Sane with the Schalke frontman requesting a transfer from the German club.

As for the 19-year-old Jesus, Goal.com says the deal for the Brazilian is being held up "by the complications due to the two sides being in different time zones". Nonetheless Jesus is expected to sign for the Sky Blues and it's believed he'll be sent straight back to Palmeiras on loan while his work visa is organised.

Man City transfer news: Aubameyang snubs City for Real Madrid

26 July

Manchester City's chances of landing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang look about as healthy as the pitch at the Bird's Nest stadium in Beijing, with the Borussia Dortmund striker making it clear that if he does ever leave Germany it will only be for Real Madrid.

Rumours emerged at the weekend suggesting Pep Guardiola was ready to table a £58m offer for the Gabon goal machine but Aubameyang has shot down those hopes during an interview with German broadcaster ZDF, which was reported by the Daily Mail. "Real Madrid is my main goal but at the moment I like it in Dortmund." stated Aubameyang.

And as for the chances of changing his mind and heading to Manchester the 27-year-old said: "The only club I would leave Dortmund for are Real Madrid. If they don't come calling, I don't leave."

And if City want to get their hands on Gabriel Jesus, they'll need to pray that neighbours Manchester United don't succeed with their £30m bid.

That's a little over £3m more than City offered Palmeiras for the 19-year-old frontman and The Sun claims United "are leading the race" for Jesus although Palmeiras have yet to respond to the Red Devils bid.

The teenager, currently with the Brazil national team as they prepare for the Rio Olympics, will make up his mind about his future in the coming ten days so that he can then focus fully on the Games.

Man City transfer news: £110m for John Stones and Aubameyang

25 July

Pep Guardiola is planning a double swoop, says the Daily Express, with John Stones and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang his targets.

According to the paper the Citizens boss "is looking to break the club transfer record twice" before the new season starts next month by forking out around £110m for the players in question.

Stones has long been linked with Chelsea with the Blues unsuccessful in three attempts to sign the defender from Everton 12 months ago. They've since given up on Stones but the Express says City are his new suitors and are ready to shell out "more than the £54m" that the club paid Wolfsburg for Kevin de Bruyne last season.

Similarly, £58m is Borussia Dortmund's asking price for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the striker who was in Manchester United's sights for so long before Jose Mourinho settled on Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Express claims that City are in "advanced talks" with Dortmund over the 27-year-old Gabon goal-machine with the German club determined to hold out for the £58m that they believe Aubameyang is worth.

With Aubameyang set to join City it's no surprise to read in the Daily Star that Wilfried Bony's days at the Etihad are numbered. The paper says that the Ivory Coast striker, who left Swansea for Manchester City 18 months ago in a £25m deal, is on the brink of leaving the club after failing to cut the mustard.

Apparently Everton were strong favourites to land Bony with City prepared to "include him as part of a £50m offer" for Stones. But that was before the cash-plus-player transfer turned "complicated" and now the Express says that Swansea are about to make a brazen attempt to re-sign Bony from under the noses of the Toffees.

Man City transfer news: Real Madrid win Gabriel Jesus race

22 July

Manchester City may have been pipped in the race for a Brazilian wonderkid by European rivals Real Madrid.

Gabriel Jesus is the youngster in question and the Daily Mirror says City were among the favourites to sign him for a fee of £20m, with an additional £8m in clauses.

He is just 19 years old and is has been drawing plenty of interest from Europe's big hitters, including Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and Inter Milan, but The Sun reports that it is Real Madrid who have won the race to sign the teenager. The paper cites sources in Spain who claim he has signed a pre-contract with the Spanish giants.

Barcelona offered £12m for him in May but competition for his signature has driven up the price.

Gabriel Jesus will play for Brazil in the Rio Olympics and has already drawn comparisons with superstar Neymar. He plays for Palmeiras in Brazil and has been described as a "tricky dribbler". The teenager is considered the most exciting prospect in Brazilian football having scored 26 goals in 67 games in all competitions for his boyhood club.

City are already set to sign two other young South Americans in winger Marlos Moreno and goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli, who they have sent straight to La Liga on loan to get European experience.

Man City transfer news: £50m for Toni Kroos could torpedo Man Utd Pogba deal

21 July

Manchester City have launched a shock £50m bid to sign midfield general Toni Kroos from Real Madrid.

The claim is carried in the Daily Mirror, which says Sky Blues have made an approach and been told a deal for the German World Cup winner is possible.

New City manager Pep Guardiola is known to be a big admirer of the player, having worked with Kroos during his time at Bayern Munich.

The Mirror says Real Madrid maybe open to offers to fund a last ditch effort to sabotage Manchester United's pursuit of Paul Pogba, who is set to sign for £100m.

Real Madrid paid Bayern Munich £24m to sign Kroos two years ago but his value has doubled since then. The playmaker is said to be happy in Spain but would not rule out a move, while City are ready to splash the cash as they build a team to challenge for the Premier League title after under-performing last season.

Helping scupper United's pursuit of Pogba would offer another incentive to get a deal done swiftly.

Meanwhile, City's summer-long pursuit of Leroy Sane is about to reach a successful conclusion, says The Sun. It claims City are on the brink of completing a £42m deal for the Schalke winger, 20, who will sign a four- year contact.

Schalke's sporting director Christian Heidel this week confirmed Sane, a Germany international, has handed in a transfer request to the Bundesliga club.

The Daily Mail, though, is not so sure that the deal will go through. The paper reports the transfer has run into trouble because City are unhappy about the size of the fee and Schalke are unwilling to lower their valuation.

City, says the Mail, think £42m is too much to pay for a 20-year old and speaking after last night's friendly defeat against Bayern Munich, Guardiola said: "Sane is a player of Schalke. Of course we talk to him, Schalke knows we are interested, but at this moment we don't have many possibilities to get him."

Schalke, it seems, are already planning for Sane's departure and are interested in signing Liverpool wideman Lazar Markovic, according to Goal.com.

Man City transfer news: Battle with Utd over Reece Oxford

20 July

Manchester City have joined the race to sign West Ham teenager Reece Oxford and could beat neighbours Manchester United to his signature.

The claim comes in the Daily Express, which says City have made a formal inquiry to the London club who value the defender at £10m even though he is only 17-years-old.

He impressed during his debut season for Hammers where he made three Premier League starts, and has now come to the attention of new City boss Pep Guardiola. The Express compares him with former West Ham favourite Rio Ferdinand because of his composure and style on the ball.

One player possibly on his way out at City is winger Jesus Navas. Goal.com) reports Sevilla are ready to launch a summer bid for the 30-year-old who has drawn mixed reviews during his time with City and often receives criticism for the quality of his crosses and lack of goals.

Sevilla sold Navas to City in 2013 but Goal.com says they want him back in order to meet Uefa's eligibility criteria for next year's Champions League. Sevilla must have a certain number of "locally trained players" on their books or will have to reduce their Champions League squad by one player.

As a result they are anxious to re-sign a player who has previously come through their academy.

City have also been linked with Leicester City playmaker Riyad Mahrez but Foxes boss Claudio Ranieri insists his star man is going nowhere.

Mahrez has also been linked with a host of other clubs including Barcelona, Chelsea and Arsenal. But Ranieri, told the Daily Mirror: "Everybody here is happy and, yes, [Mahrez] wants to stay. No other players will go away, we will stay together. Riyad will stay with us for all of the years."

Leicester have already sold N'Golo Kante to Chelsea for £32m.

Man City transfer news: Leroy Sane hitch prompts Mahrez move

19 July

Manchester City are facing a double threat in the race to sign Leroy Sane as new suitors appear on the scene.

City had been regarded as hot favourites to land the Schalke forward in a deal thought to be worth around £42m. But they are now facing competition for the Germany international from European giants Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, according to the Daily Express.

The paper points to a quote from Sane's father, Souleymane, which also crops up in the Manchester Evening News. Sane Snr dismissed claims at a move to City was done and dusted and declared: "Real Madrid and Bayern are also still in mix."

Sane, 20, impressed new City boss Pep Guardiola during his time as the Bayern Munich coach, and the Germans see Sane as a potential successor to Arjen Robben. Madrid meanwhile are playing a waiting game and could make a last-minute move for the youngster.

The uncertainty over Sane prompts Metro to suggest that City may switch their focus to Leicester City ace Riyad Mahrez.

The PFA player of the year is wanted by several big clubs, including Chelsea and Arsenal, but City are now "set to step up their interest with an offer", reports the paper.

Man City transfer news: £53m John Stones deal means Kompany exit

14 July

John Stones is on the brink of becoming a Sky Blue as, according to Talksport, City "are set to wrap up the record-breaking signing" of the Everton defender in the next few days.

Chelsea made three unsuccessful bids for the 22-year-old 12 months ago which came to nothing, but new City boss Pep Guardiola, who officially began work as City manager on 1 July, clearly has a more persuasive approach than his old rival Jose Mourinho and he's been in contact with Ronald Koeman over a £53m move.

As a result, says Talksport "the two clubs are now close to agreeing a deal which will see Stones become the most expensive defender in the world". That title currently belongs to David Luiz of Paris Saint-Germain, who cost the French outfit an astonishing £50m when he left Chelsea in 2014. Big spending City are prepared to pay more than that for Stones, even though £53m might seem an absurd amount of money considering Stones's youth, experience and accomplishments to date.

Then again, perhaps it sums up the sorry state of English football when unproven players can be sold for fantastical figures. Chelsea offered £45m for Stones last season, and despite an average season for the Toffees it seems Stones's value has risen by several million pounds over the past 12 months.

One player who has been there, done it and got the T-shirt is Vincent Kompany, but The Sun says that the experienced Belgian blocker is on the brink of being bought by Besiktas. The Turkish outfit are "plotting a raid" for the Manchester City captain and a deal could be agreed by the end of the week. The Sun says that Besiktas president Fikret Orman is overseeing the transfer after meetings between the two clubs.

It's reported that City will pocket £25m for Kompany although one stumbling block could involve the Turkish side's ability to meet Kompany's £130,00-a-week wage demands.

The Sun also says that City are "edging nearer" to completing the signing of Leroy Sane, the young German playmaker who has long been linked with the Etihad. Taking German rag Bild as its source, the Sun claims that Sane has agreed personal terms with City but Schalke have yet to accept the Sky Blues' offer.

Man City transfer news: Wilfried Bony out as Leroy Sane deal hits snag

13 July

Eighteen months of agony is almost over for Wilfried Bony as The Sun reports that he is set to "end his Manchester City nightmare with Galatasaray offering a £3m loan spell in Turkey".

The Ivorian striker joined the Sky Blues from Swansea at the start of 2015 but since then he has scored only ten goals and struggled for recognition at the Etihad. The Sun claims that Swansea were ready to welcome the 27-year-old back to Wales but instead Bony will spend next season in Turkey.

From turkeys and swans to dead ducks and Leroy Sane's proposed move to City. Last month it appeared that it was a question of when not if the Schalke 04 star signed for the Citizens. But Caughtoffside report that the transfer has his a snag with Schalke 04 sporting director Christian Heidel adamant that Sane will only be sold if he submits a transfer request to the club.

“Leroy has not told us that he wants to leave Schalke for now,” Heidel is quoted as saying. “If that were to happen, interested clubs could approach us to discuss a move. If Leroy wants a transfer, we will make a quick decision on what happens. I want to emphasise it is our decision."

The 20-year-old winger is under contract until 2019 but it's believed Schalke would listen to offers in the region of £40m for the player who was a member of Germany's Euro 16 squad.

Man City transfer news: Hart to face Ter Stegen challenge

11 July

Will Joe Hart's bungling displays for England cost him his place in the City line-up? The Daily Mail suspects so with the paper reporting that he will come "under immediate pressure" from Marc-Andre ter Stegen once he arrives from Barcelona later this month.

Apparently Pep Guardiola "has managed to prise" the 24-year-old German goalkeeper from the Camp Nou and he will soon be challenging Hart at the Etihad.

Guardiola has been helped in his pursuit of Ter Stegen by the fact that Barcelona have all but wrapped up the signing of Pepe Reina from Napoli. The former Liverpool keeper will move to Spain once negotiations have concluded but "in principal Barcelona have agreed to the fundamentals of the deal". That will pave the way for Ter Stegen to sign for City with the Mail predicting that Hart may well find himself warming the bench this season.

Meanwhile the Mail says that the Sky Blues will "have to bid £17m" for Torino defender Bruno Peres, a price Guardiola is likely to pay as he looks to beef up his back-four. Pablo Zabaleta, Aleksandar Kolarov and Gael Clichy are all facing uncertain futures under Guardiola with Peres the latest defender to be linked to City, along with Everton's John Stones and Juventus blocker Leonardo Bonucci.