Manchester City transfer news

Subterms

    More stories

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Chelsea facing battle with Man City over Josko Gvardiol transfer with RB Leipzig holding out for more than £77m fee

      by

      CHELSEA and Manchester City will both compete to sign Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig next summer, according to reports.Gvardiol, 20, was heavily linked with a move away from the Red Bull Arena throughout the transfer window.
      Chelsea and Man City are both in the transfer race to sign GvardiolCredit: Getty
      Tottenham, Man City and Chelsea were all interested in signing him, but RB Leipzig were not willing to sell.
      Instead, the defender penned a new five-year deal with the club on deadline day, committing his future until June 2027.
      He did so after the Red Bulls rejected a huge bid of at least £77million from Chelsea.
      According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, RB Leipzig rebuffed the offer because they are convinced that other clubs will join the transfer race next summer, including Man City.
      Read More on Chelsea
      Pep Guardiola expressed an interest in signing Gvardiol as a replacement for Oleksandr Zinchenko – who joined Arsenal in a £32m transfer – but could not push through a move before deadline day.
      It’s claimed that RB Leipzig chiefs are holding out for a bidding war in the hope that they will earn over the £77m asking price they initially set.
      Chelsea spent over £164m on a new-look defensive set-up during the summer transfer window.
      And if they were to sign Gvardiol within the next year, it could take the total amount spent on defenders up to around £250m.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      The Blues also signed Raheem Sterling, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Denis Zakaria and Carney Chukwuemeka before deadline day.
      Meanwhile, Man City racked up a much lower net spend of £125m by signing Erling Haaland, Stefan Ortega, Kalvin Phillips, Sergio Gomez and Manuel Akanji. More

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Man City new transfer signing Manuel Akanji reveals he was MAN UTD fan as kid… but stopped after joining Basel

      by

      MANCHESTER CITY’S new centre-back Manuel Akanji has owned up to being a former MANCHESTER UNITED fan.But the Switzerland star says he has put his old allegiances aside – and is determined to beat United in next month’s derby.
      Manuel Akanji made his Manchester City debut against Sevilla last weekCredit: Alamy
      Akanji, 27, arrived from Borussia Dortmund for £15million and could make his Etihad bow against former club in the Champions League on Wednesday.
      When reminded by Swiss paper Blick he once called United his favourite club wanted to play for them, Akanji said: “I gave that interview soon after I joined Dortmund [in 2018] and said I had been a Manchester United fan as a child.
      “But I also said that when you reach a certain level as a player, you are no longer a fan – as you end up playing against clubs like that.
      “Then you no longer support the club as much as you did during your childhood.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      “The second part was a misunderstanding. I was asked what was my ambition – and I said to play for the best club in the world.
      “People inferred that I regarded Manchester United as the world’s best club, and absolutely wanted to play for them. But I never said anything like this.
      “My love for United disappeared when I joined Basel, and played Champions League football against them. My idols became rivals.
      “Now the game I’m looking forward to the most is the Manchester derby. To be able to beat United in our home city would be amazing.”
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      Akanji completed his City move in a whirlwind five-day period, during which his partner Melanie gave birth to the couple’s second child.
      He admitted: “They were the craziest days of my life. You couldn’t beat the emotions I went through.” More

    • 250 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Erling Haaland admits he is NOT shocked by flying Man City start as he excels under ‘football freak’ Pep Guardiola

      by

      ERLING HAALAND admits his sensational start to life at Manchester City has come as no shock to him.The £51.4million striker says he is thriving under City boss Pep Guardiola because they are both “football freaks”.
      Erling Haaland says his form is ‘not a big shock’Credit: AFP
      Pep Guardiola said he is enjoying the routine of always being asked about Erling Haaland after matchesCredit: Rex
      Haaland has banged in 12 goals in his first seven matches since his summer switch from Borussia Dortmund  — including back-to-back hat-tricks.
      He has made the best start in terms of goals of any new arrival in the history of the Premier League.
      But the Norway star, 22, told Telemundo Sports: “Of course I’m a bit surprised but it’s not a big shock, no.
      “Because I know my own qualities and the good team I’m coming into. There’s so many good team-mates here.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      “It’s a beautiful club with really good people here. I love to be in this stadium and we’ve been having some good moments so far.”
      Guardiola said he is enjoying the routine of always being asked about Haaland after matches.
      And the former RB Salzburg striker revealed he is happy working for the former Barcelona boss.
      Haaland said: “It’s been good as he’s a bit of a football freak, like me.
      Most read in Football
      “We both love football, he’s crazy about it and that’s something I like.
      “He thinks of everything, like how you can do things better and that’s what I like about him.
      “It’s a complicated system at City and I’ve been trying to get it as quickly as  possible as I cannot waste time doing anything else.”
      Haaland admits it feels special to be following in the footsteps of his father Alfie, 49, by playing for City.
      He was just a toddler when his old man was lining up at Maine Road around the turn of the century and much has changed at the club since.
      Haaland added: “It’s a bit special because he played at City before and now I’m here. I’ve seen old photos of him when he was here and  it’s nice to think I play for the same club.
      “That was 20 years ago but it is still  the same club.
      “We have always  spoken a lot about football, watching it a lot together and training.
      “We have  talked here and there about small things and how defenders think compared to strikers.
      “We still talk football and that’s nice to have a former footballer as a dad.” More

    • 200 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Watch Pep Guardiola’s inspirational half-time team-talk against Aston Villa on final day of the 2021/22 season

      by

      PEP GUARDIOLA produced an inspirational half-time team-talk against Aston Villa on the final day of last season. The Premier League champions were 2-0 down at home to Aston Villa and in danger of conceding the title to Liverpool.
      Pep Guardiola produced an inspirational half-time team-talk against Aston Villa
      Man City turned the game around to win 3-2
      But Guardiola riled up his troops with an amazing speech, which has been captured in City’s ‘Together: Champions Again’ documentary.
      He said: “We’re going to go for it. OK, guys?
      “It’s impossible to think about the consequences if we don’t win. It’s normal. It’s normal. But you have to be positive until the end.
      “We need one goal. Then we will have the momentum and we will do it. I know you feel the pressure in the danger. It’s normal.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      “We would not be here if we hadn’t been the best. You would not be.
      “I know we are going to win it, but you have to handle in here [the mind] in a positive way. Find the quality, guys! You have enough. Okay? Allez.”

      Guardiola’s words proved motivational as City turned the game on its head in the last 15 minutes.
      Ilkay Gundogan’s double sandwiched in between Rodri’s strike saw Villa beaten 3-2 and the title head back to the Etihad.
      Most read in Football
      And it is no surprise Guardiola won the praise of fans for his team-talk.
      One said: “Pep motivation is genius. He is a true coach. Never shaken in his approach even when they are losing.”
      Another added: “The way Pep talks to his players makes me a bit emotional. City are fortunate to have him as their manager.
      “I have always admired Pep and his football ideology since his days at Barcelona.”
      One wrote: “What a manager Guardiola is… motivated his team when the heads looked like falling. A legendary coach.”
      Pep Guardiola celebrates Manchester City winning the Premier League titleCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

    • 250 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Former Man City forward Nolito joins Spanish second division side Ibiza FC to link up with Arsenal loanee Miguel Azeez

      by

      FORMER Manchester City forward Nolito has signed for Spanish second division side Ibiza FC. The Spaniard arrives on a free transfer after his deal with Celta Vigo expired in the summer.
      Nolito has signed for Spanish second division side Ibiza FC
      Nolito, 35, has now agreed a two-year contract with Ibiza and will officially become their player once undergoing medical exams.
      The club tweeted: “Nolito is a new #Ibiza player. Welcome to the island!”
      He is set to join Arsenal loanee Miguel Azeez, who is in Spain for the season.
      Nolito comes with a wealth of experience and 16 international Spain caps to his name with six goals.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      He spent a year with Barcelona’s first team after joining from the B-side in 2010.
      After spells with Benfica, Grenada and Celta, Nolito signed for City in 2016.
      He was bought by Pep Guardiola to provide competition to the likes of Sergio Aguero.
      But the versatile attacker, who plays centrally or on the wing, found himself unsettled in England.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      He played just 30 times, scoring six times, before leaving after only a year in the Premier League.
      Nolito returned home to Sevilla but battled injuries and again re-signed for Celta.
      Although after two more years with the club, he was released and drops down the Spain’s second tier.
      Nolito spent only one season with Man CityCredit: PA:Empics Sport More

    • 238 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      England star Keira Walsh agrees to world record Barcelona transfer and becomes second Lionesses Euros winner at Nou Camp

      by

      KEIRA WALSH has become the world’s most expensive female footballer following a sensational £400,000 Barcelona move. The ex-Manchester City ace joined the LaLiga Women’s champions after signing a three-year contract.
      Barcelona paid a record-breaking fee of more than £400,000 to get Keira WalshCredit: Getty
      The midfield star is the second Manchester City player to join Spain’s championsCredit: Getty
      The switch sees Walsh, 25, become the eighth senior player to leave City this summer.
      The move comes two years after Chelsea broke the women’s transfer record with a swoop for Pernille Harder for a reported fee of more than £250,000
      It will see Lionesses ace Walsh – who grew up admiring the talents of former Spain and Manchester City hero David Silva – become the second English top-flight ace to sign for the Catalan giants.
      She joins England team-mate Lucy Bronze at the club who have won a record seven Spanish top-flight titles.
      Read More Sports Stories
      It comes after City reportedly rejected multiple offers for Walsh, who was among England’s standout performers during the Euros.
      Rochdale-born Walsh won a player of the match award for her display in the Lionesses’ 2-1 defeat of Germany in the final
      Her move to Barca comes at a crucial time for the Catalan club.
      Their captain and midfield superstar Alexia Putellas is currently out of action following an ACL injury sustained shortly before the Euros in July.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      Walsh, who began her playing career at Blackburn in 2008 before joining Man City in 2014, has been described as having “the best football brain” by former Citizens gaffer Nick Cushing.
      City have been hit by a raft of departures and England veterans Ellen White, Jill Scott and Karen Bardsley all decided to call time on their playing careers this summer.
      Other big-name players who have left include Bronze, Georgia Stanway, Canada forward Janine Beckie, and Scotland playmaker Caroline Weir.
      And Weir returned to haunt her old club netting the goal that saw Real Madrid knock them out of the Champions League qualifying round for a second successive season.
      The exodus has left some fans concerned about the club’s league title and top three chances.
      Telegraph Sport reports City are thought to be working on signing new players ahead of the WSL transfer deadline of 5pm on Thursday for domestic acquisitions.
      Walsh impressed with her international performances this summer helping England to win the Women’s EurosCredit: PA
      The window for overseas signings closes at midnight on Thursday.
      Walsh’s move will see her become the third WSL star this summer to swap England’s top-flight for Spain’s with Weir moving to Barca’s rivals Real Madrid.
      The Catalan side will face Granadilla Tenerife in their league season-opening game on September 17.   More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Fans share bizarre theory explaining why Man City wore ‘Aston Villa shorts’ for Champions League mauling of Sevilla

      by

      MANCHESTER CITY wore ‘Aston Villa-like shorts’ for their 4-0 Champions League mauling of Sevilla, and fans have a bizarre theory as to why.Ex-Villa superstar Jack Grealish started for Man City, but much like last season, he has started the campaign slowly.
      Fans have a bizarre theory as to why City wore ‘Aston Villa-like shorts’Credit: Getty
      Grealish is yet to register a goal or an assist three competitive games played so far.
      City wore their sky blue top, but coupled it with ‘Aston Villa-like shorts’ with some fans saying it was an attempt to get the best version of the £100million man.
      A fan tweeted: “Tryna make Grealish good again by making him put on Villa shorts. Fairs.”
      Another said: “Grealish seeing the maroon shorts and thinks he’s playing for villa again.”
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      A Villa fan says they hope the claret shorts “were stipulated” in Grealish’s City contract.
      Unfortunately, the fans’ theory wasn’t proven as Grealish was hooked after 62 minutes.
      He was replaced by City veteran Ilkay Gundogan.
      City thrashed Sevilla on the night, putting four past the Spanish side.
      Most read in Football
      CHAMPIONS LEAGUE BETTING OFFER – GET £50 BACK AS CASH
      Erling Haaland scored another brace, taking his Champions League total to 25 goals in just 20 games played in the competition.
      The Norway ace, 22, is averaging a goal every 54 minutes in a City shirt this term.
      Phil Foden also got on the scoresheet and Ruben Dias put the final nail in Sevilla’s coffin in added-time. More

    • 263 Shares119 Views

      in Soccer

      Pep Guardiola hopes Erling Haaland – and his CRAZY Champions League goal record – can finally end Man City’s Euro hoodoo

      by

      PEP GUARDIOLA believes new striker Erling Haaland can help Manchester City finally crack the Champions League.The £51.4million Norwegian has thrived in Europe’s top competition — with his 23 goals in 19 matches so far the best of any player at his age.
      Guardiola believes Haaland can help City win the Champions LeagueCredit: Rex
      Haaland has scored 1.21 goals per game in the competition
      And manager Guardiola, who has seen his team come agonisingly close in the last two seasons, would like to think Haaland, 22, could be the final piece in the puzzle.
      Ahead of Tuesday’s opener here in Spain, he said: “Erling has a special quality and maybe he can solve some of the problems we have — definitely.
      “We hope all the six new players can make us better — otherwise it makes no sense to sign them.
      “But we have to play good as a team as well.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      “All the new players have to settle. If we rely just on Erling’s shoulders we will not win.
      “We don’t win just because of Erling and we won’t lose just because of him.”
      City were beaten in the final in 2021 and then last term they crashed out of the semi-final in devastating fashion as Real Madrid struck twice in the 90th minute before netting an extra-time winner.
      But Rodri also feels the arrival of Haaland, who has bagged TEN goals in his first six Prem games, could be crucial.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      The Spanish midfielder said: “We all know the player he is — and not only in the Champions League.
      “It’s a competition where you need these kind of players who you can give the ball to and they score a goal from nothing.
      “He can make a big difference.
      “The way he plays… he’s great and improving a lot.
      “He’s still trying to fit in the team but he wants to improve every day.”
      Guardiola is starting his seventh attempt to win this competition with City — and is now getting used to being asked if his team could finally win it.
      City are starting their 12th consecutive season in the Champions League and Guardiola said: “Will we win it or not win it? I don’t know.
      “But sport — not just football — always gives you another opportunity.
      Read More on The Sun
      “The club is proud to be here again and we are going to try again.
      “If we don’t do it we’ll get some punishment from our fans and the media and try again.” More