Friday Gossip

by Rob Pollard@RobPollardMCFC

Media Watch: City line up new centre-half?

The games are coming thick and fast now, and this weekend City travel to Everton as we continue our bid to make it three Premier League titles in a row.

There’s plenty of chatter around that game in this morning’s newspapers, with former players making their predictions known.
But let’s start today’s Media Watch with a slice of transfer news…

Transfer News

Metro: Man City plotting talks over deal for Leicester City defender Caglar Soyuncu
MetroSportsReporter writes: “Manchester City are planning a move for Leicester City defender Caglar Soyuncu after making a thoroughly impressive start to the season with the Foxes, according to reports in Turkey.
"The 23-year-old Turkey international arrived from SC Freiburg in August 2018, but did not make his breakthrough into the first team until this season, after the departure of Harry Maguire to Manchester United. Leicester received £80m for Maguire, but instead of investing in a replacement, Soyuncu has stepped into the void and won plenty of plaudits for his performances in the Premier League.
"Turkish publication Fotospor reports that the centre-back’s displays have caught the attention of Manchester City, a side who are looking to strengthen in that area of the pitch.
"Following the departure of Vincent Kompany over the summer and injuries to Aymeric Laporte and John Stones, Pep Guardiola has been forced to field Fernandinho and Nicolas Otamendi as his central defensive partnership."

News

FourFourTwo: Adel Taarabt exclusive interview
Adel Taarabt says: "Raheem Sterling texted me a few months ago. I was listening to an interview where he said I was his idol at QPR.
"These days it would be Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi, but when he was a kid he watched me!"

Everton v City previews

BBC Sport: Premier League predictions: Lawro v former Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas
Mark Lawrenson writes: “I can only see a City win here; they are just too good.
“Yes, Dominic Calvert-Lewin might cause them a few problems in the air and, defensively, they are going to be under more pressure than they were against Watford last week - but they should still be able to cope.
“Lawro's prediction: 0-2"
Metro: Charlie Nicholas predicts
Charlie Nicholas writes: ‘City will keep the ball and pick Everton off when they attack,’ Nicholas said. ‘Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus are all scoring."

That's all for this morning's Media Watch but stay with us throughout the day as we bring you all the buildup ahead of this weekend's game at Everton.