Friday gossip

MCFC Editorial

Media: City monitor Inter striker?

City welcome West Ham to the Etihad this Sunday, our last game before a two-week mid-season break.
The BBC’s Mark Lawrenson is already looking ahead to that game and we will bring you his thoughts and prediction this morning.
But before that, there’s more transfer news doing the rounds this morning, so we will start of our roundup of the media there…
Transfer gossip
The Express: Man Utd refuse to meet £94m Lautaro Martinez transfer price tag as Man City scout striker

Matt Penn writes: “Lautaro Martinez joined Inter for £20m two years ago and struggled to begin with, but he’s notched 16 goals this season for Inter.
“Martinez has reportedly been scouted by both Real Madrid and Manchester City."

Pre-match predictions
BBC Sport: Premier League predictions: Lawro v British snowboarder Katie Ormerod
Mark Lawrenson writes: "Man City v West Ham (16:30 GMT)
"Manchester City's defeat by Tottenham on Sunday summed up their season.

Men's Team
Sterling injury update
"They should have been in front and out of sight long before they were reduced to 10 men and fell behind soon afterwards.
"Again, City conceded with the first shot they faced in the game, this time in the 63rd minute.
"Sometimes, when you are on a run where that keeps happening, as a player you sometimes expect it - you are in control of the game but you haven't taken your chances and you start thinking "when is the crazy moment coming?"
"It has just been one of those seasons for City, but I would still be very surprised if they don't finish second.
"I would also be shocked if they don't beat West Ham on Sunday.

"This Hammers team cannot defend at the moment, as we saw against Brighton last weekend, so City are going to get plenty of chances to find the net this time.
"West Ham know they are in a relegation dogfight now, but the problem is they knew that last Saturday too, and it did not seem to help them.
"They were great when they were 3-1 up against the Seagulls, but the way they are conceding goals and dropping points from winning positions - 19 this season, a Premier League high - is a massive worry.
"That is an issue for their players too, because it will affect their mindset.
"Even when they go a goal in front, everyone kind of takes a step back because they know what is coming, and it is very difficult to change that mentality.
"Lawro's prediction: 3-0
"Katie's prediction: 4-3."
That's all for this morning's Media Watch. Stay with us throughout the day as we bring you all the latest City news.