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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
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
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.
Man City plot Lionel Messi transfer pursuit when window opens in January after failed summer swoop More
MANCHESTER CITY are ready to go back in for Lionel Messi this January.
City missed out on the Barcelona superstar in the summer when he was forced into staying after a bitter legal row.
Barcelona legend Lionel Messi is in the final year of his contract in Catalonia
Manchester City remain keen on bringing Argentina international Messi to the Etihad
But with the Argentine’s relationship with Barca still frosty and the Spanish club desperate for money, City are considering making a move in the upcoming transfer window.
It 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.
Messi, 33, is out of contract at the end of the season and his club bosses are resigned to the fact their legendary striker may quit on a free.
But they need to cut costs drastically, with debts of £437million.
The chance to bring in any fee, possibly less than £50m, for the six-time World Player of the Year is one Barca may find too good to turn down.
Messi, who has scored 640 goals in 741 games for Barca, has struggled to produce his sparkling best this season under new boss Ronald Koeman.
His dip in form followed an amazing public outburst at the club who he claimed were going back on their word to let him leave over the summer, with City waiting in the wings to snap him up.
Messi ultimately lost the power struggle when Barca made it clear they would take legal action to stop him leaving — and since then the relationship between club and player has been cool at best.
City have retained their interest, believing they can lure him to the North West as soon as he is available.
And there is a belief the current situation could see them tempt Barca with an offer in the New Year to finally get his signature.
Crucially, Uefa rules now allow players to swap for a club in the Champions League in the second half of the season, even if he has taken part in the competition for another team in the group stages.
So capturing Messi would be a huge boost to City as Guardiola looks to finally deliver the European title the club and manager himself crave.
The City board are aware there is no concrete commitment Guardiola, 49, will stay on — but they hope landing his former Nou Camp maestro proves they will continue to back him transfer wise.
Watch Messi and his kids play football with HUGE pet dog Hulk as wife Antonela drinks Barcelona star’s special beer More
MANCHESTER CITY are reportedly set to activate their £25million buy-back clause on Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz.
The Citizens sold Luiz to Villa for £15m last year – but inserted the buy-back clause into the deal which took the defensive midfielder to the Midlands.
Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz could return to Manchester CityCredit: Getty Images – Getty
And now the Daily Star reports Pep Guardiola’s side are preparing to activate the clause as part of a £100m double swoop on Dean Smith’s side.
The 22-year-old’s impressive form for this season’s surprise package Villa is thought to have impressed City.
He has started every Premier League game, providing one assist in seven appearances.
Brazilian Luiz is available for a fixed price and City may re-sign their old charge rather than risk paying an inflated fee for another target.
And the former Prem champs are reportedly lining up a move for £70m-rated Jack Grealish to help them wrestle back their crown from Liverpool.
Grealish has bagged five goals and six assists and earned international recognition from England boss Gareth Southgate – whose secret Covid-19 battle SunSport exclusively revealed.
Villa have won five out of seven league games so far this campaign – including a 7-2 demolition of City’s rivals Liverpool.
Last year’s relegation escape artists sit sixth, just three points off leaders Leicester but crucially with a game in hand.
Man City’s owners have added a tenth club to their stable after buying Troyes
Grealish penned a five-year deal at Villa in the summer and is likely to be difficult to prise away from his boyhood club.
It is unlikely the skipper will entertain a move in January as he aims to nail down a spot in Southgate’s Three Lions Euro 2020 squad.
Luiz started for Brazil in their 1-0 win over Venezuela in World Cup Qualifying on Saturday as Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino scored the winner.
Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz shows off his skills in team training More
BENFICA boss Jorge Jesus joked to Man City’s latest signing Ruben Dias he was leaving for a smaller club.
The Sky Blues announced the arrival of the 23-year-old on a six-year deal on Tuesday, with the club forking out £64million to bring him to the Etihad.
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Jorge Jesus had some words for Ruben Dias before he left Benfica for Manchester City
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Portugal international Dias has penned a six-year deal at the EtihadCredit: Getty Images – Getty
As part of the transfer, Nicolas Otamendi departed City to link up with the Portuguese giants.
Dias’ last game for the club came on Saturday, where he opened the scoring during the 2-0 win against Moreirense.
And in the dressing room after the game at the Estadio da Luz, Jesus candidly spoke to Dias in front of the rest of squad.
In a clip that Benfica have posted on Twitter, Jesus said: “There will be a farewell not only for what the team did but also for what he did, was a captain, and scored a goal.
“So it was all brilliant and the future will also be brilliant. We all believe it will be brilliant.
“Life the football player’s a little bit like that.
“You are leaving a club that is much bigger than Manchester City. It’s just not bigger financially.
“That’s what makes the difference. Now the rest will be up to you.”
Upon signing his City deal, Dias revealed the chance to play under Pep Guardiola was an opportunity too good to pass up.
He said: “To have the opportunity to join a club like Manchester City is a fantastic opportunity for me and one I couldn’t turn down.
“Their success speaks for itself.
“They have been the dominant team in England over the last few years, playing an attacking brand of football which I feel suits my own game.
“It is really exciting to be part of such a talented squad and to play for a world class manager like Pep Guardiola, who has a proven track record of developing young players like myself.
“I believe I can improve here, at a club whose ambitions match my own and I will give everything to be successful and win titles.”
Man City complete £64m Ruben Dias transfer More
MANCHESTER CITY youngster Joel Latibeaudiere is a target for Bournemouth and Swansea City, according to reports.
Latibeaudiere spent last season on loan at FC Twente, making five appearances in the Eredivisie before the season’s abandonment.
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Man City youngster Joel Latibeaudiere is a loan target for Championship sides Bournemouth and Swansea
Telegraph reporter Mike McGrath has revealed the Championship duo have both enquired about taking the 20-year-old on loan, with his first team opportunities likely to be at a premium at the Etihad.
Luton Town are also believed to be monitoring the situation.
Latibeaudiere captained England’s victorious under-17 World Cup team in 2017.
That side contained the likes of City teammate Phil Foden, Liverpool striker Rhian Brewster and Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi.
A move to Swansea would see Latibeaudiere reunite with his England under-17 coach Steve Cooper.
Cooper has made a habit of signing alumni from his time with the England youth sides, having snapped up Brewster on loan for the second half of last season.
Latibeaudiere could also link up with his centre-back partner from the 2017 campaign, Marc Guehi, who is also on loan at the Swans from Chelsea.
The Doncaster-born defender joined City at the age of 13 but has just a year left to run on his current deal with the Sky Blues.
Despite the suggestion of a loan move, reports in Wales claim City could be willing to let Latibeaudiere leave on a free transfer given his contract situation.
However, City would want to install a sizeable future sell-on clause in any such deal.
Though primarily a centre-back, Latibeaudiere was also used as a right-back during his loan spell at Twente.
17-year-old Man City wonder kid Charlie McNeill shows off his talents on the pitch More
LONG-DISTANCE love was tough during the coronavirus pandemic.
Just ask Man City’s £64million signing Ruben Dias and his gorgeous pop star girlfriend April Ivy.
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Meet April Ivy, the girlfriend of Man City bound Ruben DiasCredit: Instagram @aprilivymusic
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Stunning Ivy, 21, is a pop starCredit: Instagram @aprilivymusic
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Diaz and Ivy have been dating for two yearsCredit: Instagram @aprilivymusic
The Portuguese international’s Wag moved to London before lockdown, as she continued to make her name in the music world.
But the 21-year-old beauty is delighted Diaz, 23, is headed to Manchester.
“Here we go”, she captioned a photo of the loved-up pair’s hands intertwined, after a deal was agreed with the Premier League giants.
Who is the singer that stole the central defender’s heart?
SHE’S HAD A NO1
Like many of her counterparts from her homeland, April ( real-name Mariana Gonçalves) sings in English.
And she has scored some success, earning a No1 hit in the Portuguese iTunes chart with her single Be Ok.
Taken from her album game.of.love, the raunchy video features April showing off her dance moves and impressive vocal range.
She is signed to Universal Music France, and is said to be finishing work on a new album in London.
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Ivy has scored a No1 hit in her native PortugalCredit: Instagram @aprilivymusic
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Be Ok reached the top of the Portuguese itunes chartsCredit: Instagram @aprilivymusic
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Ivy began playing the guitar at the age of nineCredit: Instagram @aprilivymusic
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Fashionable Ivy is a brand ambassador for Italian clothing label TezenisCredit: Instagram @aprilivymusic
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The sexy pop star has revealed she’s heading to Manchester to join DiasCredit: Instagram @aprilivymusic
April began playing the guitar from the age of nine.
She’s also a brand ambassador for Italian clothing brand Tezenis.
STAND BY YOUR MAN
April reportedly began dating Dias two years ago.
Since then, the two have been inseparable – and she’s clearly his biggest supporter.
She regularly shared clips of Diaz on her social media – enjoying success with Benfica.
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Ivy regularly shares supportive messages about Dias on social mediaCredit: Instagram @aprilivymusic
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A keen football fan, Dias wears the Portuguese national jersey with prideCredit: Instagram @aprilivymusic
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Back in Spring, Ivy and Diaz even performed togetherCredit: Instagram @aprilivymusic
However, she hasn’t been shy to perform with her beau.
Back in Spring, Diaz teamed up with the stunner and accompanied his missus on guitar.
We wonder what life-long City fan Noel Gallagher makes of his skills with an axe?
Man Utd and Man City want Benfica’s Ruben Dias – here is why More
