Tuesday Gossip

by Caroline Oatway@Roline_MCFC

Media Watch: Cancelo move 'given green light'?

With the return of the Premier League Champions to the City Football Academy, anticipation for the new campaign has been kicked up a notch.

As has the media coverage and there are plenty of City-centric stories making headlines this morning, with tales of transfers, opinion, player quotes and more...
We'll start with a rumour that has been bandied around all summer...

Transfer gossip
The Mirror: Juventus 'agree to sell' Joao Cancelo amid transfer interest from Premier League club
Matt Maltby: “Manchester City have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Joao Cancelo after reports in Italy claimed that new Juventus manager Maurizio Sarri has agreed to sell the full-back.
“Having completed the signings of defensive midfielder Rodri from Atletico Madrid and left-back Angelino from PSV Eindhoven, City manager Pep Guardiola had been hoping the addition of Cancelo to provide competition at right-back would end his business in this transfer window.
“It is understood that Barcelona and Bayern Munich are also monitoring his situation and could rival City for his signature this summer.
“And now TuttomercatoWeb has reported that Sarri has given the green light to sell the player as the former Chelsea boss doesn't see him playing a regular part in his first-team plans.
“City were thought to be edging close to a €60m deal to sign the Portuguese star but discussions between the two teams then stalled.

“However now this latest development has emerged, Guardiola may step up his interest again and tie up a deal ahead of the new campaign."

Daily Mail: Manchester City swoop for highly-rated West Brom and England U17 starlet Morgan Rogers
Simon Jones: “Manchester City are poised to pull off a transfer coup with the signing of highly-rated West Bromwich Albion teenager Morgan Rogers.
“Talks are advanced between clubs over a compensation package with City recognising huge potential in the 16-year-old attacking midfielder amid interest from Premier League rivals.
“Rogers, from Halesowen, made his first-team debut as a substitute against Brighton in the FA Cup in February and has already drawn comparisons to England and Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli with his style and build.
“Albion had hoped to keep the youngster, who turns 17 later this month, but he had turned down their contract offer."
Opinion
Manchester Evening News: The four Man City players who will be like new signings next season
Stuart Brennan: “Most of the first team squad reported back to pre-season training today [Monday], and even with their Copa America and African Nations Cup participants missing, the roll-call was a reminder of the Blues’ strength.
“And that is why, even though they would like to add at least one more player, they simply will not break their budget or their wage structure to do so.
“Suddenly, Nicolas Otamendi has become a key figure and City are keen to sort his future out soon.

“The veteran defender is not due back in Manchester until the end of July, after being involved in Argentina’s march to the third place play-off.
“But if he stays – he has three years left on his contract – it will remove any urgency from City’s need to bring in a centre back.
“Pep Guardiola made it plain last season that he felt the only thing (Riyad) Mahrez was lacking was a run of games, and with Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva both playing brilliantly and seemingly without injury or fatigue, that was the one thing he could not give the former Leicester man.
“Guardiola was delighted with the professional manner in which Mahrez responded, and expects him to play a bigger part this season.
“The same could also be said of Gabriel Jesus. It is not often that a player who scores 21 goals in a season could be seen as having a humdrum campaign, but he is at Manchester City, where even the exceptional becomes humdrum when held up against the rest.

“The other player who will be a bonus for the Blues is Claudio Bravo. The sight of him back in training will be reassuring for Guardiola."
From the players
Eurosport: Africa Cup of Nations - Mahrez: Algeria win built on solid defence
Riyad Mahrez (on win over Guinea): “We were serious – ready for our match. They were a difficult team to manoeuvre around.
“Our success came around the goal in difficult moments. That was the difference and we did not concede any goals.
“When we don’t concede goals, we have more chances to score. It was a great evening for us."