Sterling effort
The saga of Raheem Sterling’s stalled contract negotiations with Manchester City looks set to run and run, according to latest reports.
The England frontman has yet to agree new terms for his current deal, which expires at the end of next season.
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There have been rumours of interest from Real Madrid, and the latest from 101 Great Goals should put a spring in the step of the Spaniards.
Maximum money
According to the site, Sterling and his agent, Ady Ward, are demanding the maximum money from City, claiming that “he’s the most important home-grown player in the squad” and should be duly recompensed for that status.
But the Premier League champions are standing firm and the impasse isn’t expected to be broken any time soon.
De Jong in demand
Meanwhile, the Manchester Evening News (MEN) says that City will face “tough competition” to sign Ajax midfielder Frenkie de Jong, with Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Roma, Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham all tracking the 21-year-old.
The Sun also covers the race to sign the young playmaker, with the newspaper citing Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo.
Spurs keen
Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino is said to be “keen” on de Jong and is expected to make a move to sign him in January or June at the latest.
But City gaffer Pep Guardiola also fancies a bit of the action and will be encouraged by the news that Barcelona, once considered front runners to land the Dutchman, have instead turned their attention to PSG midfielder Adrien Rabiot.
The Sun says that French champions PSG may look to do a swap, but it’s believed de Jong would rather play in the more competitive Premier League. The decision may come down to is cold hard cash, with Ajax demanding in excess of £40m for their rising star.
Diaz to leave?
The London Evening Standard says that City are growing concerned that 19-year-old Brahim Diaz, described by the paper as “one of the jewels of the Premier League champions’ academy”, could be lured away from the Etihad.
Currently in the final year of his City contract, Diaz’s situation is “alerting a host of clubs across Europe to his potential availability, including Real Madrid”.
Guardiola rates the Spanish midfielder highly but with Diaz’s game time likely to be limited this season, the City boss believes he could be tempted away, as 18-year-old Jadon Sancho was to Borussia Dortmund last summer.