Manchester City transfer news

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      Lionel Messi reveals dream of playing in MLS in transfer boost to Man City who will offer him New York City FC swansong

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      LIONEL MESSI has admitted he ‘has a dream’ to play in the MLS.
      And the Barcelona star’s latest comments come as a huge boost to a potential transfer to Manchester City in the summer.

      Lionel Messi has admitted he has ‘a dream’ to play football in the USCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      City’s sister club are New York City and it has previously been reported that part of the deal will include a US swansong for the six-time Ballon d’Or winner.
      The biggest transfer saga of the summer saw Messi hand in a transfer request at Barca, but then withdraw it and agree to stay until his contract runs out at the end of the season.
      As well as City and a reunion with his old boss Pep Guardiola, PSG, Inter Milan and an MLS move have all been mentioned.
      Now, speaking to Spanish TV station La Sexta, as translated by Sky Sports, Messi has heavily hinted that his time with the Catalans is nearing an end.

      He said: “I’ve always had the dream of playing in another league, in the United States.
      “Maybe it will happen, doesn’t have to be right away. Today I am just focused on these next six months.”
      SunSport exclusively revealed Guardiola’s side are set to launch another attempt to sign the Argentine in the new year.
      But if they have to wait until the summer, the City Football Group (CFG) are willing to offer Messi the chance to play for sister club New York City FC later in his career – as they once did with Frank Lampard.

      Man City’s owners have added a tenth club to their stable after buying Troyes

      Messi gave a warts-and-all interview on Spanish TV

      Pep Guardiola is keen on a Manchester reunion with MessiCredit: PA:Press Association

      And former Manchester United star David Beckham has not ruled out making a sensational move to bring Messi to his Inter Miami franchise.
      Messi was left fuming with Barcelona’s fall from grace last season as well as the club’s decision to sell his good friend and strike partner Luis Suarez to rivals Atletico Madrid.
      The Nou Camp power struggles saw manager Quiqe Setien replaced by Ronald Koeman and president Josep Maria Bartomeu resign.
      And Messi has admitted he ‘doesn’t know’ what his own future holds.

      David Beckham fancies trying to lure Messi to his Inter Miami side tooCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      He added: “Nothing will be crystal clear before the end of the year. I’ll wait until the season is over.
      “What matters now is thinking about the team, finishing the year well and not being distracted by other things.
      “I don’t know what will happen. I’m focused on what we have here and battling for whatever we can.
      “I’m not thinking about how the year will end. As of today, it wouldn’t be wise for me to say what I’m going to do because I don’t know.”
      In the revealing interview Messi opened up on his ‘very bad’ summer and he described his time as ‘difficult’.
      He even described Barca as ‘very bad’ and admitted ‘it will be difficult to get back to where we were’.

      Lionel Messi arrives home in Argentina for the holidays ahead of transfer speculation More

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      Barcelona trying to convince Riqui Puig, 21, to sign new deal with doubts over future putting Man City on transfer alert

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      BARCELONA are trying to convince midfielder Riqui Puig to sign a new deal amid concerns over his future, reports say.
      The Spaniard’s contract expires next summer, and Manchester City and Bayern Munich are among the interested clubs.

      Barcelona are trying to convince Riqui Puig to sign a new dealCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But according to Fichajes, the LaLiga giants are pushing Puig to commit his future to the Nou Camp.
      It would mean they avoid losing the 21-year-old on a free at the end of the season.
      But Barca bosses could find it hard to talk Puig into the proposal, with the promising talent having made just four appearances this season.
      And their case will not be helped after manager Ronald Koeman aimed a dig at out of favour playmaker, suggesting he is not working hard enough.

      Koeman, who was asked about Puig, said: “I like people who work every day to improve, and who take opportunities with both hands.
      “Sometimes it’s not just about quality.
      “There may be players who don’t do enough in training for the coach to give opportunities.”
      The Dutchman does not think Puig’s work ethic is up to scratch and has left him out despite the team’s unimpressive league form.

      Barcelona were held to a 2-2 draw against Valencia this month but bounced back to beat Valladolid 3-0.
      The recent result leaves Barca fifth in the table and eight points behind leaders Atletico Madrid, who still have a game in hand.
      But despite their struggles, Puig remains out of favour and with an uncertain future under Koeman.
      The midfielder was recently blasted by Koeman in front of his team-mates after being accused of leaking information about a dressing room bust up.

      Lionel Messi arrives home in Argentina for the holidays ahead of transfer speculation More

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      Man City ‘the best place’ for Lionel Messi, claims Pablo Zabaleta as former club eye transfer along with PSG

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      MANCHESTER CITY is “the best place” for Lionel Messi if he leaves Barcelona, according to former Argentina team-mate Pablo Zabaleta.
      City legend Zabaleta, 35, tipped Messi – who is in the last year of his contract at the Nou Camp – to prosper under old boss Pep Guardiola.

      Lionel Messi has been urged to join Manchester City if he leaves BarcelonaCredit: Rex Features

      Former Man City defender Paolo Zabaleta said the club is the best place for his old Argentine colleagueCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The former West Ham right-back suggested Messi might “want to go and enjoy a few years'” in the Premier League.
      Messi had looked set to quit the Catalan giants last summer after expressing his desire for a new challenge, but made a U-turn on the decision and eventually decided to stay.
      City have long been linked with a move for the six-time Ballon d’Or winner and were the frontrunners to take him away from the Blaugrana before Messi opted to remain after his kids cried at the news he was leaving.
      Zabaleta told Stadium Astro: “It is sad to see Messi in that situation.

      “I never thought he would be in a final year of his contract at Barcelona.
      “The team is not playing well and it seems that he is not enjoying his football. We will see what happens with Messi at the end of the season.
      “He has a close friend in Sergio [Aguero] at Man City and has worked with Pep at Barcelona before, so they know each other. Some of the people on the board also know Messi.
      “If Messi decides that he wants to leave Barcelona, that he wants to go and play in a different league, in a different country, of course Man City would be one of them.”

      Ronaldo and Messi are both named in the Ballon d’Or all-time best XI

      Zabaleta claimed every player dreams of a stint in the Prem and suggested Messi would fit in well at City as there are some familiar faces at the Etihad for the 33-year-old.
      He added: “Every player would like to have an experience in the Premier League.
      “The Premier League is the best in the world and maybe he wants to go and enjoy a few years there.
      “Man City would be the best place for him because he knows people there. 
      “I would like to see Messi, if he decides to move on to another club, in England as it is a lovely place to play football. 

      “Man City would be the best place for him because he knows people there. ”
      Pablo Zabaleta on Lionel Messi

      “He needs to enjoy football again because at the minute it seems like he is not enjoying it all.”
      Messi has bagged five goals and two assists in 11 league games for a struggling Barcelona side that languish down in eighth – but is able to strike up talks with other clubs as soon as January.
      Barcelona presidential candidate Emili Rousaud claimed the club’s skipper will leave if he does not agree to a pay cut as the cash-strapped side can’t afford to keep him.
      And City will face competition from Paris Saint-Germain after the French giants reportedly warned their club stores to prepare to the Argentine’s arrival.
      The Ligue 1 champs are supposedly growing more confident of landing Messi and have advised their shops to prepare for an influx of shirt sales if the deal goes through.

      Watch as Lineker tells spine-tingling story of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s iconic rivalry in BT Sport advert More

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      RB Leipzig must fork out £16.2m to sign Angelino from Man City in permanent transfer

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      RB LEIPZIG will have to pay £16.2million to sign Champions League hero Angelino on a permanent basis in the summer.
      The on-loan Manchester City man sent United crashing out of the competition on Tuesday.

      Angelino has been in fine form for RB Leipzig and scored against Man Utd on TuesdayCredit: EPA

      Spaniard Angelino, 23, netted the opener and created another as Leipzig condemned Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men to the Europa League.
      The Germans’ leading scorer said: “It feels so good, especially against them.
      “Everything was very positive and even more so against Manchester United — it feels great for me.
      “The style of the team here in Leipzig, the coach’s ideas — it’s perfect for me.”

      Meanwhile Mikel Areta is keeping tabs on Eric Garcia’s situation at his former club.
      Spain defender Garcia, 19, turned down a new City deal in the summer because he wants to return to Barcelona.
      But Barca failed to raise the £13.5million needed to sign him in the last window and may struggle to do so again in January.
      That could open the door to Real Madrid and Arsenal boss Arteta, who is a fan of Garcia’s from his time as City No 2.

      But Arteta may have to wait until the summer when fellow centre-backs David Luiz, Sokratis and Shkodran Mustafi are out of contract.
      And it is still unclear what the long-term plans are for out-of-favour William Saliba.
      Many expected him to be challenging for a first-team spot this season, but he has so far failed to break in.

      Pep Guardiola admits Lionel Messi’s future is up in the air as Man City plan transfer bid for unsettled Barcelona star More

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      Barcelona to offer Lionel Messi ‘job for life’ to keep legend amid Man City transfer interest and bust-ups behind scenes

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      BARCELONA are set to offer Lionel Messi a ‘job for life’ to keep the Argentine superstar out of the clutches of Manchester City. Presidential candidate Victor Font revealed he plans to give Messi, 33, a position ‘beyond the days he is on the pitch’. The Catalan giants’ skipper is set to leave the club when […] More

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      Man City ‘eye Harry Kane transfer move with Pep Guardiola wanting Tottenham star to replace Sergio Aguero’

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      MANCHESTER CITY are lining up a sensational move for Harry Kane, according to reports.
      The Independent claims Pep Guardiola named the Spurs star when talking about potential new signings during negotiations for his new deal.

      Pep Guardiola has reportedly asked Manchester City to look at buying Harry Kane Credit: EPA

      Spurs forward Kane was instrumental in helping his side beat City 2-0Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      The Spanish boss, 49, agreed a two-year extension at the Etihad last week, citing ‘unfinished business’ at the club.
      And after Kane was so influential in Spurs’ 2-0 win over City on Saturday, Guardiola’s interest is only likely to grow.
      The report alleges the former Barcelona manager would like City to investigate the possibility of signing Kane.
      It claims those close to the 27-year-old believe he may push for a move away from Tottenham if Jose Mourinho’s side fail to win a trophy this season.

      But it is understood if Spurs start to pick up silverware he will not be tempted by a move away.
      Spurs’ win over the Citizens took them to the summit of the Premier League but they are only above defending champs Liverpool on goal difference.
      City are struggling for goals having only mustered ten in their eight league games and their failure to find the net on a regular basis has left them down in 13th place.
      Kane could be the perfect answer to their problems, having bagged seven goals and nine assists in just nine Prem games.

      Prolific Argentine Sergio Aguero was left as an unused sub at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as Guardiola instead threw on Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden.
      Guardiola admitted his side miss Aguero leading the line, but said he has concerns about his fitness after struggling with injury.
      After the match, he said: “I am not going to say we don’t need Sergio, we need him.
      “But Sergio at 32 was five months injured, with a difficult and dangerous injury. He came back, played and got injured again.
      “We want him and I want Sergio fit because I discover how important he is for us, with what he has done in Premier League, but we have to be careful to not get him injured again.”
      Guardiola pointed to his side’s failure to convert their chances after drawing a blank in North London despite firing off 22 shots.
      And Kane may be the ideal long-term replacement for the club’s record goalscorer Aguero.

      Michael Owen says that Harry Kane will not leave Tottenham because of his huge transfer fee and age More

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      Five ways Man City could line up with Lionel Messi as Pep Guardiola plots January swoop for unsettled Barcelona star

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      MANCHESTER CITY could pull off one of the most incredible signings of all time if they land Lionel Messi in January.
      The Barcelona great, 33, almost quit his boyhood club in the summer before performing a dramatic U-turn to honour the final season of his contract.

      As things stand, he will leave the Nou Camp as a free agent at the end of the 2020-21 campaign.
      But as revealed by SunSport, Manchester City are ramping up plans to make a move to land the 33-year-old in January.
      City’s fresh approach to land Messi would be a sure sign of their commitment to boss Pep Guardiola, who is yet to agree a deal to stay at the Etihad beyond next summer.
      Any contract offer for Messi, though, is likely to mean eye-watering wages stumped up by the four-time Premier League champions.

      Barcelona’s debts of £437million mean they are in desperate need of cutting costs drastically.
      So the chance to bring in any fee, possibly less than £50m, rather than letting Messi go for free may be too good to turn down.
      Should City sign the six-time Ballon d’Or winner, Guardiola will have to work out the best way to fit him into his system… or fit his system around the icon.
      And the Spaniard has plenty of star talent already at his disposal…

      This could be a familiar sight for Manchester City fans next season with Messi lining up in the sky blue at the Etihad

      4-3-3 (Messi out wide)
      The most likely option (above) could see a standard back five of Ederson in goal, Kyle Walker, summer-signing Ruben Dias, Aymeric Laporte and Benjamin Mendy.
      Rodri may sit at the base of the midfield with Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden pushing on and a devastating front three of Messi on the right, Sergio Aguero through the middle and Raheem Sterling on the left.
      That would allow Messi to operate in the role he has caused so much damage from over the years, especially during Luis Suarez’s time at the Nou Camp.
      4-3-3 (Messi up front)

      A similar option for Guardiola that would allow him to keep his favoured 4-3-3 formation could see Messi played as the central striker – or the false No9 as he mastered under his former boss at Barca.
      That would mean Aguero dropped out and Riyad Mahrez takes the right-wing spot while Fernandinho could be brought in for Rodri in midfield.
      4-4-2

      A slightly rogue option – maybe one for the FA Cup – could see City line up in a 4-4-2 formation.
      A changed-up defence may give a chance for Joao Cancelo, Dias – or Eric Garcia – Nathan Ake and Oleksandr Zinchenko.
      Mahrez and Sterling offer pace on the wings while De Bruyne or Foden and Rodri can operate in midfield together.
      That would free up Argentina team-mates Messi and Aguero to start together as a front two causing any centre-back pairing nightmares.
      4-2-3-1

      With another version of the back four as Ake replaces Mendy, De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan may get the nod to operate as a two in midfield together.
      Even with Leroy Sane sold to Bayern Munich, there are plenty of other options out wide with Bernardo Silva and new-boy Ferran Torres brought into the side.
      Aguero’s understudy Gabriel Jesus could lead the line and allow Messi to operate in the No10 role pulling the strings with plenty of pace around him.
      3-5-2

      Should Guardiola want to really shake things up with a back three, he certainly has the tools at his disposal to do so.
      There are plenty of options for the three centre-backs, including the new arrivals Dias and Ake.
      Walker and Mendy are the perfect wing-backs in the modern game and either Gundogan or Rodri could be the most defensive of the midfielders.
      De Bruyne and Messi – just like David Silva for many years – would be pretty unstoppable linking up in between the lines while Sterling could move centrally to partner Aguero up front.

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