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PEP GUARDIOLA was blasted as a “fraud” by furious Manchester City fans as they crashed out of the Champions League. City supporters raged at Guardiola‘s team selection as they blew the chance to make the semi-finals in Europe once again. A late Moussa Dembele double saw French side Lyon defeat City 3-1 in Portugal. The […] More
MANCHESTER CITY have made an opening offer for Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly, according to reports.
The Etihad outfit have already secured the £41million signing of Bournemouth defender Nathan Ake this summer as they attempt to close the 18-point gap to Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.
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Man City have reportedly offered Napoli £57million plus bonuses for Kalidou Koulibaly
City are hoping to tempt the Italian side into selling Koulibaly with an opening bid of £57million plus bonuses, but it is thought Napoli will hold out for at least £63million up front.
Koulibaly, 29, has been a long-standing target for a number of top clubs, including City and rivals Manchester United.
United, however, have yet to make a formal offer for the Senegalese international.
Napoli are hoping the sale of Koulibaly can help recoup some of the club record £74million spent on the signing of Lille striker Victor Osimhen.
And club president Aurelio De Laurentiis has hinted the defender’s time at the Stadio San Paolo may be coming to an end.
He said: “Kalidou is a great person, I would be terribly sad to lose him.
“But there is a time for everything, even to move apart.”
Koulibaly has made 246 appearances over the course of a six-year spell in Naples.
Man City are in the market for defenders this summer and see Koulibaly as a belated replacement for Vincent Kompany, who departed the Etihad last summer.
Both John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi have fallen out of favour with City boss Pep Guardiola and have been linked with moves elsewhere in recent weeks.
Guardiola has preferred 19-year-old Eric Garcia – but the Spaniard himself has been linked with a move to Barcelona this summer and his future at City appears uncertain.
Manchester City arrive in Lisbon for Champions League quarter finals without Sergio Agüero as striker looks set to miss competition More
PEP GUARDIOLA has revealed what was said when he and Zinedine Zidane spoke privately after their Champions League meeting.
The bosses – who between them have won the Champions League five times as managers – were spotted talking alone on the Etihad touchline after Man City dumped Real Madrid out of Europe.
Guardiola was gesticulating while sat on an ice box, looking up at Zidane who cut a relaxed figure with his hands in his pockets.
There was immediately huge intrigue as to what was said, particularly with Guardiola’s history with Real Madrid’s great rivals Barcelona.
And now the Man City chief has revealed all.
Guardiola said: “I congratulated him for LaLiga.
“I always said to win the league is the most difficult title because it shows 11 months being there.
“We spoke about our families and I wished him all the best. He was one of my idols when I was a player.
“I played against him in the national team with France and I suffered a lot.
“He was one of the greatest and as a human being he is an example and I like how he can represent our profession like he does.”
The post-match talk took place after Man City deservedly beat Real Madrid 2-1 at the Etihad to advance ot the quarter-finals of the Champions League 4-2 on aggregate.
Incredibly, it was the first time Zidane had been knocked out of the competition as a manager, having won the tournament in his three previous campaigns as Real Madrid manager.
For Guardiola, the victory means he remains on track to deliver Man City’s first ever Champions League triumph.
Personally, the Spaniard is seeking his third European Cup after winning it twice during his time at Barcelona.
Next up is a quarter-final on Saturday with Lyon who stunned Juventus in the last round.
Manchester City arrive in Lisbon for Champions League quarter finals without Sergio Agüero as striker looks set to miss competition More
DAVID SILVA has reportedly been offered £52,000 a week plus a private plane and elegant house to join Lazio.
The Man City legend bid an emotional farewell to the Premier League against Norwich on the final day of last season after a dazzling decade at the Etihad.
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Lazio are trying to sign Man City legend David SilvaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Silva is yet to decide on his next club and for now is focusing on City’s Champions League Last 16 second leg against Real Madrid tomorrow.
But reports in Italy suggest Lazio have offered Silva a whole host of benefits to help lure him to the Stadio Olimpico.
Tuttosport reports the Serie A side have tabled a deal worth £52,000 a week.
They have also thrown in some luxury selling points for Spanish veteran Silva, 34, including his own private jet and a luxury pad in the heart of Rome.
But incredibly, it does not seem enough for Silva.
The talented playmaker collects £220,000 a week at City and although he is prepared to take a substantial pay cut, Lazio are still significantly below his wage demands.
According to Il Tempo, Silva is looking for around £86,000 per week to make the move.
Lazio finished fourth in Serie A as 36 league goals from Golden Shoe winner Ciro Immobile helped fire them to Champions League qualification for the first time in 13 years.
Four-time Premier League winner Silva is believed to be the club’s No1 transfer target and they are working on sealing the deal with his representatives.
Silva is not thought to have been short of offers with reports he has already rejected moves to the MLS and the UAE and was previously linked with a return to his homeland with Real Betis.
Man City legend David Silva in shock transfer talks with Serie A side Lazio More
MAN CITY could be raided by Borussia Dortmund yet again.
The German side stole England star Jadon Sancho away from the Citizens and are now reportedly after another English wonderkid in Jamie Bynoe-Gittens.
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Man City’s Jamie Bynoe-Gittens looks set to leave for Borussia DortmundCredit: Getty Images – Getty
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The City youngster could follow the path of Jadon Sancho Credit: Getty Images – Getty
The Secret Scout first reported the 15-year-old would leave City this summer, with Dortmund in pole position.
European big-hitters Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are also thought to be interested.
But Dortmund chiefs view Bynoe-Gittens as a project very similar to the one they embarked on by signing Sancho in 2017.
The winger was drafted into the City academy after turning down the chance to join Arsenal.
The youngster from Reading was won over by the presence of academy stars like Sancho in the City ranks.
But it now appears the England youth international has decided his future lies away from the Etihad after two seasons in Manchester.
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Jadon Sancho featured heavily for the Man City youth sidesCredit: Getty – Contributor
He had previously told The Secret Scout: “I’m going to try and make a name for myself.
“When Sancho was at City, he was doing bits in the 18s, scoring every game, so in a way, I want to be like him.
“You’ve got to take stuff from other people to make the best version of yourself.
“You’ve now got to score and assist to be the best.”
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Jude Bellingham (left) and Jadon Sancho (centre) train with DortmundCredit: EPA
Dortmund have already snaffled some young English talent this summer with the arrival of Jude Bellingham, 17, from Birmingham.
The England Under-17 international was inspired by Sancho to make the move to Signal Iduna Park and the pair have been spotted in training together.
Sancho has been a roaring success in the Bundesliga since his surprise move three years ago.
The 20-year-old walked away from the Sky Blues after becoming frustrated at the path into Pep Guardiola’s first-team.
He bagged 15 goals and six assists in just 22 games for City’s Under-18 side and transferred his good form into senior action at Dortmund.
Sancho has made 99 appearances in all competitions, registering 34 goals and 43 assists in Germany.
But he has been heavily linked with a big-money move to Manchester United this summer.
Sancho is rumoured to be joining the Red Devils on a five-year deal worth £350,000 a week.
A deal could set Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side back up to £110million and after Alexis Sanchez’s permanent departure was confirmed, fans begged for Sancho to be announced as the new No7 at Old Trafford.
Man Utd and Jadon Sancho ‘agree five-year £350,000-a-week deal’ over £110m transfer from Borussia Dortmund More
MANCHESTER CITY have agreed deal rising to £31.6million for Valencia’s Ferran Torres.
The transfer is virtually done with Torres to put pen to paper on a five-year deal.
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Man City have agreed to sign Ferran Torres from ValenciaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The 20-year-old winger will arrive at the Etihad for an initial fee of £20.8m plus up to £10.8m worth of add-ons.
The La Liga side valued the player at £39m but are desperate for cash and it appears City have been able to secure a bargain.
He will help plug the massive void left by the departure of midfield magician David Silva after a decade of dazzling Premier League displays.
Torres is equally comfortable on either flank and is seen as a direct replacement for Leroy Sane after his £55m departure to Bayern Munich.
The move was orchestrated by City’s transfer chief Txiki Begiristain and Torres’ agent Jorge Mendes – who also looks after Cristiano Ronaldo.
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Torres could go straight into City’s side next season
The Spaniard is in the last year of his deal at the Mestalla and his move caps a remarkable 12 months in his career.
Former Valencia boss Marcelino had reportedly considered sending him out on loan at the start of the campaign.
But Torres established himself as a regular fixture in the side, bagging four goals and five assists in 34 La Liga appearances.
The youngster has been particularly impressive in Europe, notching two goals and two assists in just six Champions League games.
And he will have the opportunity to compete in Europe’s premier competition for the Citizens next year after they had their two-year Uefa ban controversially overturned.
City are free to take part next season despite the best efforts of NINE top-flight clubs who wrote to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
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Torres could slot in on the right wing next season as Pep Guardiola looks to build a side capable of overturning runaway Premier League champs Liverpool.
City’s manager is thought to have been given an incredible £300m transfer war chest to help erase the 18-point gap that separated the runners-up from Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Guardiola is also lining up a swoop for at least one central defender with Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly and relegated Bournemouth’s Nathan Ake both in the picture.
Valencia midfielder Ferran Torres scores cheeky outside-of-the-foot half-volley vs Celta Vigo More
MAN CITY boss Pep Guardiola is lining up a double transfer to help win back the Premier League title.
The Spanish manager saw his City side surrender their crown to runaway leaders Liverpool this season and is set to dip into the owner’s pocket to try and get back on top.
Man City could field two new signings next season
And Guardiola could be given a huge £300million transfer war chest to dethrone Jurgen Klopp’s side.
A priority signing is a central defender to partner the impressive Aymeric Laporte at the back.
All faith in John Stones seems to have been lost and a potential return to Everton is on the cards.
And with Eric Garcia wanted by Barcelona and Nicolas Otamendi error-prone, reinforcements are needed.
One man who could fit the bill is Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly.
The 29-year-old Senegalese international would cost around £70million but could finally fill the void left by Belgian enforcer Vincent Kompany in the heart of defence.
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Kalidou Koulibaly could be off to Manchester City to partner Aymeric LaporteCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Another option is Bournemouth’s Nathan Ake who is almost certain to leave the Cherries after their final-day relegation to the Championship.
Legendary midfielder David Silva has bid farewell to the club after a stunning decade in the English top-flight.
Valencia wonderkid Ferran Torres could be the ideal replacement for the outgoing magician Silva.
The LaLiga side are thought to be prepared to cash in if they receive a bid in the region of £39m.
And the 20-year-old would also cover the space left by Leroy Sane’s move to Bayern Munich and is in the final year of his deal at the Mestalla.
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Valencia winger Ferran Torres could make the move to the EtihadCredit: Getty
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Torres chalked up four goals and five assists in 34 league appearances this season.
The youngster has been particularly impressive in Europe, bagging two goals and two assists in just six Champions League games.
He is equally adept on either wing and could help City narrow the gap at the top of the table.
Kalidou Koulibaly receives a warm welcome as he returns to the neighbourhood where he grew up More
NINE Premier League clubs including Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool tried to stop Manchester City getting their European ban overturned.
City were slapped with a ban from all Uefa European competitions for two seasons and fined £27million in February after “serious breaches” of Financial Fair Play.
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Pep Guardiola’s side had their European ban overturned despite nine clubs writing to CAS
But the Court of Arbitration for Sport controversially overturned the ban earlier this month, and cut City’s bill to just £9m after an appeal.
On Tuesday, the court released a 92-page document with full details from the case, revealing the reasons behind their decision.
The conclusions show that, while Pep Guardiola’s side showed “a blatant disregard” of Financial Fair Play principles, Uefa had failed to prove they broke the rules.
It is also revealed that almost HALF of City’s Premier League rivals wrote to the court to oppose City asking for a “stay of execution” on their ban.
Burnley, Leicester, Newcastle, Spurs and Wolves were the other sides to come forward.
The statement read: “On March 9 2020, nine Premier League clubs filed an application for intervention…for the limited purpose of opposing any possible application by MCFC to request for a stay of execution of the Appealed Decision.”
City were confident of seeing their ban overturned before the case was held, stating that they had “irrefutable evidence” to support their argument.
They sent an army of NINE lawyers to fight their case and ultimately received the outcome they were looking for much to the delight of Guardiola and his coaching staff.
Man City willing to splurge £300M on transfers this summer as they target Ake and Torres to dethrone Liverpool More
