Friday gossip

MCFC Editorial

Media: City set to bolster defence and attack?

It doesn't matter how many times Pep Guardiola says we will not be making signings imminently, the press continue to speculate and pontificate about potential new arrivals.
Today, two names are strongly linked with Etihad moves.

Pinch of salt required, but here goes...
The Express: Man City eye Atletico Madrid ace Saul Niguez as transfer plans made for David Silva exit
Matt Atherton writes: Manchester City are eyeing a move for Atletico Madrid star Saul Niguez, as Pep Guardiola finds a potential replacement for David Silva. City were interested in Saul last summer, but instead chose to sign his Atletico team-mate Rodri.
Guardiola is keen to find a new central midfielder before the start of next season, with David Silva expected to leave at the end of the season.

LeicestershireLive: Manchester City ready to make €45m bid for Leicester City transfer target - reports
Mark Wakefield writes: Manchester City have reportedly shown an interest in Leicester City target Merih Demiral.
The Foxes are keen to strengthen in the centre-back department this month, with Demiral a possible option during this months transfer window.
Reports in recent days have suggested that Leicester have had a bid rejected for Demiral’s services, but Leicestershire Live understand that is not the case, despite the club showing an interest in the Turkey international.
Now fresh reports in Turkish newspaper Sabah claim that Pep Guardiola is ‘crazy’ about the Juve defender, with the Premier League champions prepared to offer €45m for his services this month.
Man City, like Leicester, are thought to be keen on strengthening in the centre-back department, with the injury to Aymeric Laporte forcing Guardiola to have Fernandinho as a makeshift defender.

Sports Mole: Manchester City lining up £38m bid for Juventus defender Merih Demiral?
Barney Corkhill writes: Manchester City are reportedly considering a €45m (£38.2m) January bid for Juventus defender Merih Demiral.
The English champions have suffered a centre-back shortage this season following the departure of Vincent Kompany and a long-term injury to Aymeric Laporte, forcing Fernandinho to play much of the campaign as an emergency defender.
Pep Guardiola has previously played down the prospect of City doing any major business in January, but Turkish outlet Sabah reports that the Spaniard has been impressed by Demiral's performances in Turin this season.
The 21-year-old has overtaken Matthijs de Ligt in the Juventus pecking order in recent weeks, despite the Italian giants spending £75m to sign De Ligt from Ajax just last summer.
Manchester United, Arsenal and Leicester City are all understood to have been alerted to Demiral's form and are tracking his progress, but they could now face competition from the big-spending champions.
That's all for this morning's Media Watch - but stay with us throughout the day as we bring you all the latest from Pep Guardiola's pre-Villa press conference.