Manchester City are still quietly confident they will be able to lure Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer but that hasn’t stopped the Sky Blues drawing up a plan B.
Goal says that City “are likely to make an approach to PSG and Mbappe in the coming weeks” and Guardiola hopes to build on the friendship he established with the Frenchman last summer when he first sounded him out about a move from Monaco to City.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
On that occasion Mbappe chose Paris but with the French champions struggling to abide by the Financial Fair Play rules it looks increasingly likely that they will have to offload either Mbappe or Neymar over the summer.
In the event that Mbappe shuns City, however, Goal predicts that they will turn their attention to 20-year-old sensation Leon Bailey.
The Bayer Leverkusen frontman has been in fine form this season in the Bundesliga and apparently City “have been keeping tabs on the Jamaican for some time”.
It’s helped that Bailey is pals with City winger Raheem Sterling and Goal says “that could work in the club’s favour should they decide to press ahead with a move”.
Meanwhile the outlet also says that City are “confident” of sealing a deal for Napoli midfielder Jorginho and an announcement is expected before the end of May. The transaction is likely to involve City taking Jorginho under their wing in return for giving the Italian club goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, who has struggled to impress Guardiola this season.
-
The best dark romance books to gingerly embrace right nowThe Week Recommends Steamy romances with a dark twist are gaining popularity with readers
-
The ocean is getting more acidic — and harming sharks’ teethUnder the Radar ‘There is a corrosion effect on sharks’ teeth,’ a study’s author said
-
6 exquisite homes for skiersFeature Featuring a Scandinavian-style retreat in Southern California and a Utah abode with a designated ski room
-
Amorim follows Maresca out of Premier League after ‘awful’ seasonIn the Spotlight Manchester United head coach sacked after dismal results and outburst against leadership, echoing comments by Chelsea boss when he quit last week
-
How do new stadiums affect football clubs?In the Spotlight Everton's decision to move its men's team out of Goodison Park could be a catalyst for vital change, but there are cautionary tales too
-
Liverpool's Anfield redemption: how did they do it?Talking Point Arne Slot's blueprint and standout player performances guide the Reds to record 20th league title
-
Where are all the English football managers?Talking Point Eddie Howe's Carabao Cup success underlines absence of homegrown coaching talent in the Premier League
-
New Trafford: can it fix Manchester United's footballing problems?Talking Point Plan for £2 billion stadium despite staff job losses and lack of success on the pitch
-
The wit and wisdom of Sven-Göran ErikssonIn Depth The first foreign coach to manage England on football, life and death
-
The Premier League's spending cap: levelling the playing field?Talking Point Top clubs oppose plans to link spending to income of lowest-earning club, but rule could prevent success gap from widening
-
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?Talking Point PM hails 'historic moment for football fans' but West Ham owner warns it could 'ruin' Premier League
