With Manchester City’s European dreams in ruins once more, talkSPORT claims that Pep Guardiola is going to go shopping this summer “to strengthen his side”.
The disappointment at being dumped out of the Champions League by Liverpool is palpable at the Etihad and the Sky Blues boss is determined that next season they’ll go all the way in Europe’s showpiece competition.
To that end, says talkSPORT, Guardiola is looking to bring in three players: a defensive midfielder, a central defender and a forward.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Latest Videos FromThe Week
Among the names mentioned by talkSPORT is Riyad Mahrez, who the Sky Blues failed to prise from Leicester in January. The Algerian ace is said to be keen to make the move to City and it’s expected that a deal will be reached in the summer.
Another player being linked to the Etihad is the highly-rated 20-year-old defender Eder Militao. The versatile Brazilian can play at right-back, centre-half and as a defensive midfielder. According to Talksport, he’s “one of Guardiola’s top targets”. But Porto are also said to be tracking Militao. That may work out well for Sao Paulo, who have slapped a £20m price tag on the youngster but could see their final sum go significantly higher if a bidding war breaks out.
As for the frontman, it’s claimed that City could redouble their efforts to sign Thomas Lemar, the Monaco winger who’s expected to head to pastures new in the summer.
Liverpool are known to be interested in Lemar but there’s nothing Guardiola would like more than to get one over Jurgen Klopp by stealing the Frenchman from under his nose.
Meanwhile Metro claims that Jonny Evans has made up his mind and will opt to join Manchester City ahead of Arsenal.
The 30-year-old former Man Utd defender will definitely leave West Bromwich Albion at the end of the season rather than face life in the Championship. Metro says he’s holding out for an offer from the Etihad despite interest from the Gunners.
The Sky Blues tried to sign Evans in the January transfer window but their £18m offer was rejected by the Baggies. This time around, however, it’s expected they’ll accept the cash in order to start rebuilding their squad after relegation.
