Monday Gossip

Neil Leigh

Media Watch: City linked with RB Leipzig defender

Monday’s headlines carry a fresh batch of transfer gossip with City linked with two new potential targets as the rumour mill intensifies ahead of the January window.
There are also reflections on a hugely successful Women’s Football Weekend along with some interesting insights from young City central defender Eric Garcia about how he is relishing life at the Etihad.
Transfer gossip
90min.com – City consider January bid for Leipzig defender
Tom Gott: "Manchester City are considering a January bid for RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano, as they look to add some much-needed depth to their defence.
"Having lost Aymeric Laporte to injury, City were also made to cope without John Stones for a significant part of the early weeks of the season. That left just Nicolás Otamendi as their only fit and available centre-back, given former captain Vincent Kompany departed at the end of the last campaign.

"Stones has since returned, but City are still interested in bringing in a new centre-back in January to give them more options, and 90min has learned that Upamecano has moved into their sights.
"The highly rated 21-year-old was heavily linked with a switch to Arsenal during the summer, while Tottenham Hotspur have also been following him, but City could beat their rivals to his signature if they decide to launch a January bid.
"The Citizens had preferred not to do any business in January, but they recognise their need for more options in defence. Pep Guardiola wants to avoid a panic buy and instead wants players who could have a lengthy future at the club.
"As a result, club scouts have been deployed around Europe to find potential targets, and they have determined that both Upamecano and Benfica's Rúben Dias meet the criteria."
calciomercato.com – City interested in Inter’s Sensi
"Antonio Conte's Inter Milan have impressed of late with midfielder Stefano Sensi in tremendous form for the Nerazzurri.
"The young Italian international midfielder joined Inter on loan from Sassuolo in the summer and, according to Calciomercato.com, Inter have already held talks with Sassuolo concerning a permanent transfer.

"Even so, they will have to watch out since a number of big European clubs are also interested in the 24-year-old.
"Other than FC Barcelona, Manchester City have also been scouting him over the last few months. Pep Guardiola likes him a lot (he also likes Tonali and Fabian Ruiz) as he views him as the perfect potential addition for his team."

News
BBC.com – Stanway nets brace but sees red
"Georgia Stanway scored twice but was later sent off in a dominant 5-0 Manchester City victory over West Ham.
"Both of England midfielder Stanway's goals came in the first half, and she laid on another for Tessa Wullaert to briefly move City top of the Women's Super League until Chelsea's win later on Sunday.
"But Stanway was booked twice in quick succession for late challenges after the break to take some of the gloss off her 100th appearance for the club.

"Ellen White had earlier netted her first WSL goal for City, pouncing on a loose ball from a corner for their opener before Stanway's two goals from just inside the box.
"Lauren Hemp's first goal of the season from Jill Scott's clever reverse pass made it 4-0 by half-time.
"Injury-hit West Ham had few answers to the numerous threats posed by the hosts and Wullaert added a fifth goal soon after the interval."

From the players
goal.com – Garcia thriving at City
Chris Burton: "Eric Garcia has no regrets at having left Barcelona for Manchester City, with Pep Guardiola considered to be improving his game.
"The 18-year-old defender departed the famed La Masia academy system in his native Catalunya in the summer of 2017.
"He remains on a steep learning curve as part of a star-studded squad, but has seen competitive senior minutes with City.

"With that in mind, Garcia has told Marca when asked if he has ever questioned his decision to head for England: “No. You don't think about how it would be somewhere else. I'm very happy with the opportunities I've had."
"He added on his experiences at City: “I'm in my third season in Manchester already and I'm very happy. At first it was more complicated, but then I adapted after a few months. I'm lucky to have a lot of Spanish team-mates, who make things easier.
“When I first went, I was hoping to see how things were going. We all know the Premier League is a different league, it's more physical. I was going to see what happened but I'm very happy with how it's gone."