Manchester City transfer news

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      Man City join Chelsea and Tottenham in Milan Skriniar transfer race with his Inter Milan deal expiring at end of season

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      MANCHESTER CITY have joined Tottenham and Chelsea in monitoring Inter Milan’s highly rated defender Milan Skriniar.The Slovakia international’s contract expires at the end of the season and the 27-year-old is set to be one of the most-wanted free agents available next summer.
      Milan Skriniar looks set to leave Inter Milan with his contract up at the end of the seasonCredit: Getty
      He been at the San Siro since 2017 and he has featured 223 times for the club.
      Skriniar played an integral role in the squad that won the Serie A title back in 2020/21.
      City’s priority for 2023 is reinforcing their midfield in the future but the ex-Sampdoria man remains a target.
      But boss Pep Guardiola has publicly spoken about how his centre-backs have struggled to stay fit and Nathan Ake almost left the club in the summer.
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      City snapped up Manuel Akanji towards the end of the recent window but they are open to the idea of buying another centre-back.
      Skriniar has long been on the radar of Chelsea and despite opting for Wesley Fofana they could be in the market again for a defender if Graham Potter wishes.
      Spurs have also shown an interest in Skriniar too as he has worked under boss Antonio Conte at Inter.
      Paris Saint-Germain wanted him too but the Italian giants rejected approaches from them in the summer.
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      The Ligue 1 champions reportedly saw a £43million bid turned down.
      But unless Simone Inzaghi’s side can persuade Skriniar to sign a new deal, they could lose him for nothing as he will be free to discuss pre-contract agreements with non-Italian clubs from January.
      Inter Milan could be set for a busy transfer window come next summer with reports suggesting they could look to loan Romelu Lukaku again. More

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      Carlos Tevez joined Man City over ‘disrespect’ and wouldn’t have stayed at Man Utd for any salary, Rio Ferdinand reveals

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      CARLOS TEVEZ would not have stayed at Manchester United for any salary, claims Rio Ferdinand. The now retired forward played at Old Trafford for two years before leaving the club and switching over to join local rivals Manchester City.
      Carlos Tevez was a member of what many regards as Alex Ferguson’s last great Man United teamCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Tevez left United and then joined rivals Man City, which saw the birth of the infamous ‘Welcome to Manchester’ signCredit: PA:Press Association
      Rio Ferdinand and Tevez went from team-mates to rivalsCredit: Getty – Contributor
      But Ferdinand has explained why this came to be, with the former United captain revealing Tevez refused to sign a new contract after he felt the club disrespected him.
      He told William Hill: “Tevez wanted to sign a contract for Man United well before that.
      “(But) Man United delayed and didn’t come to him and he thought… and said ‘you know what you disrespected me and no matter what you offer me I’m not signing.’
      “And I remember the then chairman David Gill asking me to ring him and to speak to him and his agent and tell him the club want to sign you.
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      “His agent said to me: ‘Rio it doesn’t matter what money they offer he won’t sign, he feels he’s been disrespected and that’s it.'”
      Tevez spent two successful years at United on loan from West Ham between 2007 and 2009, scoring 34 goals and contributing 13 assists as he helped win two Premier League titles and the Champions League.
      However, he then did what many perceived to be the ultimate betrayal and joined City, with the infamous ‘Welcome to Manchester’ being whipped up for his arrival in the blue half of the city.
      The Argentine was in the team which won the club’s first-ever title in 2012, and in his time at City he scored 73 goals and 35 assists in his 148 appearances.
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      After leaving City in 2013, Tevez joined Italian side Juventus and stayed there for a further two years.
      He then re-joined boyhood club Boca Juniors and joined Shanghai Shenhua for a short stint before retiring with Boca in 2021. More

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      Chelsea set to be joined by Man City in January transfer move for Rafael Leao after AC Milan rejected summer approach

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      MANCHESTER CITY are set to join Chelsea in the hunt for AC Milan star Rafael Leao, according to reports.San Siro technical director Paolo Maldini has confirmed the Blues had an approach for the winger knocked back in the summer.
      Rafael Leao is a reported target for Chelsea and Manchester CityCredit: Reuters
      And now City are hoping to pounce.
      The 23-year-old is “liked” by Pep Guardiola and his Premier League champions, according to Calciomercato.
      But Guardiola and Co will face stiff competition from Chelsea if they decide to swoop for the Portugal international.
      Exciting winger Leao was linked with a move to Stamford Bridge throughout the course of the summer.
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      Reports claimed the Blues had lodged a late offer for Leao in the final days of the window.
      And AC Milan technical director Maldini has revealed an official bid never arrived, but the Blues did discuss an informal offer.
      The proposal was immediately rebuffed by the Serie A champions.
      Maldini told Sky Italia, via SempreMilan: “Rafa knows that to become even stronger the solution is to stay with us. We are a young and growing team.
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      “We intend to do great things and grow with him. If he then reaches a higher level than Milan, we can think about it.
      “An official offer from Chelsea never arrived, but on an informal level it did. Of course, it was refused.”
      Leao has not let the speculation get to him with the winger enjoying a stunning start to the campaign.
      The winger has scored three goals and provided six assists in just eight games this season.
      But in a blow to Chelsea and City, AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli has confirmed the club intend to offer Leao a new contract. More

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

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      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.
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      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.
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      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

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

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      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.
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      “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.”
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      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

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

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      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.
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      “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.
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      “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

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

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      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.
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      “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.
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      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

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

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      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.
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      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.
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      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