Tag Archives: man city transfers

Manchester City will certainly be active in the transfer market this summer and now they appear to be turning their attentions to La Liga for reinforcements.

According to The Sun Pep Guardiola wants to sign 29-year-old Spanish international Noltio. The very skilful winger has had a very good season with Celta Vigo and earned himself a call-up to the Spanish squad for Euro 2016.

Manchester City are seeking the availability of Nolito this summer and would have to pay the £14 million release clause in his contract to secure the Spanish International’s signature.

Nolito is no stranger to Pep Guardiola and the manager is a huge fan of the player, the two worked together in Guardiola’s first two seasons at Barcelona and it is being reported the new City manager wants to be reunited with him at City this summer.

Nolito left Barcelona to join Benfica after being sounded out of the first team and making just two appearances, his impressive rise saw him return to Spain two years later to sign with Celta where he has scored 39 goals in 100 appearances.

His impressive goal-scoring record caught the eye of the Spanish national manager as he has now earned 10 caps scoring four goals and started Spain’s opening game at Euro 2016.

The underwhelming form of City’s stars Jesus Navas and Raheem Sterling could see Nolito slot into the first team and give Guardiola great options on the wing.

We pay close attention to how Nolito compares with City’s record signing Sterling. The English winger cost City £49 million last summer after he left Anfield for the Etihad. Nolito has had a superb season for Celta and managed to score 0.44 goals per 90 minutes compared to Sterling who managed 0.28. Nolito once again shows why he is so in demand this summer after contributing to 0.25 assists which is once again superior to Sterling who contributed to just 0.09. Wingers have many aspects to their game, and one of them is to create chances. Nolito, who was phenomenal last season created 2.19 chances per 90 minutes which is fantastic for a forward player. Sterling however managed just 1.64 which is still quite impressive for the 21-year-old winger. Noltio cleans up a full house with total attack score, his astonishing season sees him manage a score of 26.02 which helps him come out on top of Sterling who scores 20.41.

Barcelona were desperate to bring him back to the Nou Camp last season but any proposed deal fell through, and now it seems Manchester City are in poll position to land their target.

Nolito’s low release clause has caught the eye of many clubs including City, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur and a good performance at the Euros could trigger bids from more than just City, so Pep may want to act on the clubs interest sooner rather than later. If City do firm up their interest with a formal bid they will be confident that the Pep factor will convince Nolito to head to the blue side of Manchester over other interested clubs.

Manchester City are expected to complete a £90million double deal in the coming weeks. Pep Guardiola has already signed Ilkay Gundogan but it seems he is about to make two more big money signings.

The first of which looks set to be for Schalke winger Leroy Sane. The young German international is set to seal a £40million move to Manchester City after Euro 2016, according to The Sun. The report even goes as far as to say that a £40million has been agreed. However it seems as if the newspaper jumped the gun on this one with Schalke telling Sky Sports that no deal is in place.

“The story is incorrect, nothing has changed with Leroy Sane,” a Schalke official told German newspaper Bild. But despite the German club ruling out that a deal has been reached, it is clear that Pep has identified Sane as a possible addition to the City midfield.

Sane is just 20 years old and is in the Germany squad for this European Championships. Upon completion of that tournament it is expected that the player will seal a move away with City now favourites. Despite his tender age Sane managed 8 goals and 6 assists in 23 Bundesliga starts and 10 further substitute appearances.

 

As well as signing a top winger, Pep also appears to be in the market to strengthen his defence and he looks ready to spend big. Manchester United were favourites to sign Everton’s John Stones in March, but now their neighbours appears to be set to sign the young defender. But they’ll have to spend big with reports suggesting Stones will cost City a huge £50million.

A clear strength of Stones is his aerial ability, highlighted by his 67.35% success in aerial duels. He also has an impressively low fouls committed rate (just 0.45 per 90 minutes). But this lack of aggression could also highlight his weaknesses. His stats of just 1.31 tackles and 1.85 interceptions per 90 make for grim reading. Although Guardiola is searching for a ball-playing central defender, which is just what Stones is, the Englishman will have to develop a nastier side to his game to become a player that can cope with all the strikers the Premier League will throw at him. To justify his price-tag of £50million, he needs to become world class, and quick.

Pep is also thought to be heavily interested in Aymeric Laporte who looks set to leave Athletic Bilbao this summer. Alongside Stones, Laporte will help Pep create his new look defence. Despite the club previously spending big money on Nicolas Otamendi and Elaquim Mangala and captain Vincent Kompany still at the club, Pep’s priority appears to be to build his new style of football from the back with the planned additions of these two young defenders. The age of Stones and Laporte (both 22) also implies that unlike his spell in Germany, Pep may be sticking around in England for the long-term.

According to Sky Sports news Manchester City are in advanced talks with Borussia Dortmund over the signing of striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The Gabon international is valued at €75million (£58.5m) and talks have escalated over the last few hours with the possibility of Aubameyang joining Pep Guardiola at City this summer.

Aubameyang has always said to have his heart set on a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid after a promise with his grandfather, but the Bundesliga Player of the Year is also open to playing in the Premier League and may have his head turned by City who are under a new era with the incoming Pep Guardiola.

Aubameyang once again showed the world why he is one of the best strikers last season scoring an impressive 25 goals in 29 Bundesliga games, only Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski managed more.

Since his move from St Etienne to Dortmund in 2013, Aubameyang has managed 54 goals in 94 games and also managed 20 goals in 49 games at international level for Gabon.

The Etihad Stadium hierarchy has promised Guardiola a significant overhaul for when he takes over in July. City under achieved massively last season and were lucky to secure top four, Guardiola who is one of the best managers in the world will certainly look to better them for next season and will look to potentially secure their first ever Champions League win something Guardiola failed to do with Bayern Munich.

Aubameyang looks set to be the second high-profile signing for City this summer, with both players coming from Borussia Dortmund after they captured the signing of Ilkay Gundogan last week.

Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool have all enquired about Aubameyang in the past but he looks set on a move to City this summer, with the Manchester club ready to make a big money move were they will certainly use their financial power and blow the other interested parties out the water.

Manchester City are certainly not short of strikers, they have the up and coming star Kelechi Iheanacho who has been superb since his break through to the first team, City also have one of Europe’s best striker’s in Sergio Aguero who has scored 102 goals in 150 games since his move to City in 2011.

Did you see? Pep Guardiola eyes 3 signings from Arsenal

So how do two of the best strikers in Europe compete? Not surprisingly Aubameyang and Aguero are inseparable with goals scored per 90 minutes after both managing 0.91. Aubuameyang has had a prolific season and also contributed to assist’s managing 0.18 which is 0.10 better than current City striker who managed just 0.08. Both strikers are more than just goalscorers, they’re world class team players too. Aguero, who has been inspirational in City’s success has managed a impressive score of 0.91 with key passes which is superior to Aubameyang who also managed a score of 0.87. The two players in mention are among the best in Europe, if both players are in one side next season the strike force at City will be devastating. Aubameyang has created 1.06 chances which is just astonishing for a number 9 but Aguero also impresses although he is behind with 0.99. Both players are top quality but it is Aguero who nudges Aubameyang to total attack score managing 44.50 with Aubameyang in second with 35.73 [Stats via Squawka]

Manchester City are lucky to have a striker of Sergio Aguero’s calibre, but to have two in one team will be deadly. City will be very lucky to pull this deal off with Aubameyang having his heart set on a dream move to Madrid. Guardiola’s era is in full flow and he will instantly become a fans favourite if he manages to pull this deal off. A season to forget last season, but the coming years are exciting for City fans with their new project. Guardiola will be looking to build a Champions League winning club and that is exactly what he could do if he continues to bring in players of this calibre.

However there are conflicting reports late tonight that suggest City have confirmed to a reporter that they have no interest in signing Aubameyang at this time. Perhaps agent talk again?

Real Madrid may be willing to part with one of their star players this summer according to reports in Spain, and both Manchester clubs are keen on snapping him up.

After helping Real Madrid to another Champions League title this season, Toni Kroos could be set to embark on a new challenge in the Premier League. But who is most interested, and who has the better chance of signing him?

Manchester United

Jose Mourinho appears desperate to bring his former player Kroos to the club but will face an uphill struggle due to the clubs lack of Champions League football.

Kroos thrives in a deep-lying midfield role and managed 10 assists in 32 La Liga games. He could be the clubs new dictator and really be the central world class player that United currently lack. Morgan Schneiderlin has been unconvincing, Ander Herrera inconsistent and Bastian Schweinsteiger consistently injured. Kroos would be the perfect conductor for Mourinho’s new look side.

Manchester United have already made contact to sign Kroos, according to reports, but their efforts have so far been unconvincing and they’ll need to do more to persuade the player to want to join.

 

Manchester City

Despite the signing of Ilkay Gundogan, Pep Guardiola wants to bring in another top quality central midfielder, according to the Manchester Evening News. They say that Toni Kroos is that man and to make way for him, Fernando will be sold.

Valencia and Villarreal want Fernando for £12million whilst Yaya Toure could be set to reunite with Roberto Mancini with strong interest from Inter Milan.

Guardiola could create his perfect midfield platform with Kroos, alongside Gundogan, a move that would automatically make City the pass masters of England.

The chance to be part of Pep’s revolution at the Etihad will surely appeal to Kroos. He has the chance to play in England, with a Champions League club and under one of the best managers in the world. It is those factors which currently have City as favourites to sign the German, though we all know the persuasive powers of Mourinho, his former manager, could change that.

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After winning the Champions League with Real Madrid again, it is possible that Kroos will feel he has done all he can at the Spanish club and with all the money and managers moving to England, Kroos must be tempted to follow suit. Time will tell if he will push for a move this summer but should City or United make concrete bid then a transfer looks more likely than ever.

The Pep Guardiola era starts next season and the former Bayern Munich manager will be very busy this summer and certainly look to add to the squad who just scraped top four. Gundogan has already been announced as their first signing with plenty more players likely to be signed. Guardiola will look to strengthen many areas of the City squad which seems quite depleted . Some players will be forced to leave to save their own career, playing time especially could be limited for some players at City next season so we take a look at three players who will face the axe following Guardiola’s arrival.

1 - Yaya Toure

Yaya Toure has been crucial for City in recent seasons and has helped them win two Premier League titles and an FA Cup. Toure started to show his age this season however and has come under strong criticism for his lazy and sluggish performances and his inability to keep up with play.

His under-performing season is likely to cost Toure dearly with Guardiola almost certain to grant a departure for him this summer.

The 33-year old Ivory Coast international has been one of the best midfielder’s in Europe but his lacklustre performances have not gone unnoticed this season and his form especially was a reason for City’s struggles.

It is not all doom and gloom for Toure this season, he played 33 league games and still managed to show his quality in patches. Toure managed 1.51 key passes per 90 minutes which is still very impressive for a midfielder. Toure played as a number 10 or in a deeper role through the season for City and made 1.04 tackles which is once again impressive on the eye. Toure is great going forward and helping the attack just as much as he helps defensively playing in the two. Toure managed 0.19 assists and 0.23 goals per 90 minutes for City this season which is above average for a midfielder, especially one who has had an off season compared to recent years.

Toure signed for City in 2010 and has made 192 appearances for City scoring 54 goals but his six-year spell in England is likely to come to an end this summer with Inter Milan the likely destination.

Pep Guardiola coached Toure for Barcelona in his time with Spanish giants and it is thought his relationship with the new manager is some what sour.

The four-time African Footballer of the year left Barcelona in 2010 after Guardiola sounded Toure out of the first team. After the announcement of Guardiola’s imminent arrival, Toure’s agent Dimitry Seluk said “I think Yaya will be leaving the club” with the pairs bad relationship being widely reported.

Guardiola has already signed Ilkay Gundogan who will certainly be a starter for City, he is likely to partner Fernandinho in central midfield with the likes of Raheem Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva all to be ahead of Toure to play behind striker Sergio Aguero.

Toure has one year left on his contract and will not be short of clubs wanting his signature this summer with Inter Milan and two Chinese clubs Shanghai SIPG and Jiangsu Suning all interested.

The transfer window is now kicking into gear with a couple of completed deals already, Fresh Football will bring you all the gossip and breaking news throughout the busy summer period. We take a look at some rumours that are flying about this afternoon.

Calum Chambers heading back to Southampton (Daily Mirror)

According to the Daily Mirror Calum Chambers is on Southampton’s radar this summer with the club looking to sign the defender on a one-year loan deal. It is being reported Arsene Wenger has been very reluctant to send out his versatile defender, but after rebuffing previous attempts from The Saints to bring their academy product back to St Marys’s, Wenger now feels Chambers needs game time in order to fulfil his potential and take the next step of his career.

21-year-old Chambers showed his defensive abilities recently helping England secure their first Toulon Tournament title since 1994 and more noticeably being picked for the “team of the tournament”.

Wenger is only likely to sanction a move for Chambers this summer if Arsenal sign a senior defender with Medhi Benatia and Kalidou Koulibaly both reported targets for the Gunners.
Chambers, who joined Arsenal for £16 million in 2014, has only played 35 games for the Gunners scoring one goal. The Saints will be very keen on Chambers and his versatility to play right-back, centre-back and even as a holding midfielder.

Arsene has claimed many times he sees his future as a centre-half and now want’s the young defender to gain much-needed experience. Chambers, who is a ball playing defender, is seen as a long-term replacement for Mertesacker, although he has only managed 12 games this season his tackle’s won ratio is incredible managing 2.09 per 90 minutes compared to Mertesacker who managed just 1.06. Standing at 6ft tall Chambers also impresses with aerial duels won after winning 3.39 which is one again more superior to Mertesacker’s score of 2.29. Although Chambers has hardly played his defence score is sublime, scoring a total 22.25 which one again put his ahead of team mate Mertesacker who managed just 14.68.

Arsene sees Chambers long-term future at Arsenal, but without guaranteed minutes Chambers will need a loan move to hopefully fulfil his bright potential.

Laporte set to complete €50million Manchester City switch (Guardian)

According to The Guardian Manchester City are ready to pay the €50m (£39m) release clause in order to sign Aymeric Laporte from Athletic Bilbao.

Pep Guardiola sees central defence as a priority for City this summer and they are prepared to spend big on Laporte in order to get their man, the French International is just 22-years old and already thought of as one of the best young central defenders in Europe.

Laporte has been ruled out until August with a broken leg and dislocated ankle and will miss the Euro’s with France this summer, but this has not put City off the prospect of signing him.

Laporte has already played over 120 games in La Liga and his impressive defensive abilities have caught the eye of most teams around Europe most noticeably Barcelona, but it is now likely Manchester City will pursue their interest in Laporte and land their man.

Manchester City are still trying to strengthen their defence with question marks constantly raised over club captain Vincent Kompanys long term fitness issues.

Eliaquim Mangala and Nicolas Otamendi have both been brought in by City to toughen up their defence but it hasn’t gone as well as they hoped and both players have failed to really nail down a position. Laporte will be brought in as a hopeful starter for City and if Kompany can stay fit that will likely be the partnership, with Mangala and Otamendi’s futures at the club in doubt.

The likelihood is Laporte will partner Kompany in central defence so we take a look at how the two have compared this season. Something that will impress City is the amount of tackles Laporte has won, manging 1.47 per 90 minutes. His opponent Kompany is not too far behind with 1.06. Aerial duels are a real factor to being a great defender, especially in a tough league. Kompany, who stands over 6ft show’s why he is thought of so highly, winning 85.37% of his aerial duels. Laporte, although he hasn’t won as much as Kompany still shows his aerial presence winning 69.86%. Kompany has been one of the most impressive defenders to grace the Premier League in recent seasons managing to win 58.82% of his total duels which just beats the impressive Laporte (54.19%).

Manchester City look destined to sign their long term target after beating off interested from European giants, the fee being paid will of course raise expectation but Laporte looks destined to fulfil his potential.

 

Philippe Coutinho wanted in Paris (Liverpool Echo)

According to the Liverpool Echo French Champions PSG are very interested in signing Brazilian ace Philippe Coutinho this summer. Coutinho has once again had an impressive season for Liverpool and more noticeably since Jurgen Klopp’s arrival and has caught the eye of PSG with the club ready to pursue their interest this summer.

It is understood PSG have already sounded out Coutinho’s representatives about swapping life in England for France and it is believed Liverpool are also aware of their interest in the 23-year old.

No official approach has been made for Coutinho, but it is certain he is on PSG’s radar this summer as they look to strengthen their squad to compete more fiercely for the Champions League.

Coutinho signed a five-year contract with Liverpool in February 2015 and it is understood Liverpool will fight to keep their playmaker and rebuff any attempts from clubs to sign him. Coutinho has been influential for Jurgen Klopp in the second half of the season and the player himself has found some excellent form with the manager clearly desperate to keep hold of him. The lack of any European football whatsoever at Liverpool next season will make it hard for Klopp to convince the player to stay, especially with the likes of PSG interested.

PSG ace Angel Di Maria has thrived since his arrival in France, after a disappointing spell at Manchester United. Coutinho would certainly be brought in to link up with the delightful attacker. Di Maria has had a sublime season and has been a key player in PSG’s title dominance. He has contributed with 0.81 assists per 90 minutes which is far better than Liverpool’s Coutinho who has managed just 0.23. Di María also comes out on top with chances created with 4.15 which is brilliant; Di María has been one of the most influential wingers/playmaker in Europe this season, Coutinho who has shone in the Premier League has managed just 2.21. The bonus with both of these players is they don’t just help create chances or assists. They also contribute with goals: Di María swoops a clean house once again coming out on top to Coutinho after managing 0.42 goals per 90 minutes which is slightly better than Coutinho who manages 0.36.

Coutinho may not yet be at the level of Di Maria but he is still a top quality player and aged just 23, has time to improve further.

If PSG are to sign Coutinho this summer they will certainly have a fight on their hands, with long-term admirers Manchester City still keen on the midfielder if he was to become available.

 

Arsenal have been linked with many strikers already this summer, most frequently Alvaro Morata, but quotes from an international teammate have this morning stirred the rumour mill into overdrive.

When asked who Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang should join this summer by his Gabon teammate Daniel Cousin, he said: “Arsenal. Because the team plays very well. And Arsenal need a striker to win the title next season, and I think if he plays with [Mesut] Ozil, he gives good assists. I think he can play very well with this team.” Cousin told the BBC World Service.

Aubameyang scored 25 Bundesliga goals this season from just 31 league games. His clinical finishing has caught the eye of the best clubs around Europe. Aubameyang is 26 (although he turns 27 next month), a similar age to Alexis Sanchez and Ozil when Arsenal shelled out large amounts to sign them. Signing Aubameyang though would surely see the Gunners break their £40million transfer record once again, with the Gabonese international valued at ‘at least’ £45million by the German club.

Cousin went on to say that the player fancied a move to England certainly, due to it’s physical nature. The presence of Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola also appear to have made both Manchester clubs an attractive destination.

“I think he wants to move to England. The Premier League is a different style than in Germany. It’s more physical,” Cousin said. “For me I think it’s a good moment for Pierre to move to a big club like Man United or Man City.

“I think he can score more goals and get more experience with a big team. They have now Mourinho at Man United and Guardiola [at Man City]. I think this kind of coach can help Pierre-Emerick to progress more.”

There were rumours recently that Aubameyang had already agreed a deal away from Dortmund, although the club quickly refuted those suggestions. It seems likely that the player will leave Germany this summer, with Real Madrid and Paris-Saint Germain also interested.

Aubameyang isn’t the greatest link up striker, nor will his defensive contributions be significant, but he can act as a spearhead to an Arsenal attack that has so often lacked a killer instinct. The Gabon international has exactly that and can give the Gunners an attacking edge that could tip the title race in their favour.

Aubameyang is tall, but not the best in the air. He uses his height and electric pace to burst through defence, and his link up play with Ozil could be brilliant. He has scored at a fairly consistent rate in a top league, 54 goals in 94 games for Dortmund. Previous to that he scored 29 in 54 for Saint-Etienne in Ligue 1 (after joining permanently). Aubameyang was a youth player at AC Milan, but after four loan spells, failed to make the cut at the Italian club. It would be fair to say that despite his decent form in Ligue 1, Aubameyang is a late bloomer and has blossomed in Dortmund. Whoever signs him can be confident that he will keep performing for many more seasons yet.

 

The season has finally come to an end for City and they found themselves in unfamiliar territory after fighting to finish in the top four. City’s dip in form after the announcement of Manuel Pellegrini’s departure seemed to have an effect on the team and they certainly didn’t look like they were interested in playing at their highest level anymore - their motivation was gone. City once again finished above rivals United but incoming manager Pep Guardiola will be looking to strengthen his team and certainly create something special. We look at three players he is likely to sign as part of his special project.

1 - Ilkay Gundogan

Pep Guardiola is expected to announce Ilkay Gundogan as his first summer signing for Manchester City.

It has been widely reported for several months that a deal is likely to happen with a fee of £23 million expected to be enough to sign the German international.

A meeting has taken place between Gundogan’s agent and his uncle - Ilhan Gundogan - who was pictured talking to City sporting director Txiki Begiristain in the Conservatorium Hotel in Amsterdam.

City have reportedly already ironed out a five-year contract for Gundogan, with the expected arrival to be announced in the summer. The deal may be in danger with a chance of it falling through if Gundogan is unable to get himself fit in time after suffering a knee injury which will rule him out of action for several months. This injury will sadly see him miss the Euros.

Although Gundogan has been unfortunate with injuries in his career, there is no secret about his ability. Gundogan’s arrival may be the end for Yaya Toure at Manchester City with the midfielder expected to leave City this summer. Toure has completed 1.51 key passes per 90 minutes compared to Gundogan’s 1.04. Gundogan does impress with passes completed after scoring a very high 88% which is 2% better than Toure (86%). Both players have bags of ability and Toure has shown that this season with the chances he has created, managing 1.70 per 90 minutes compared to Gundogan’s 1.18. The Barclays Premier League is one of the fastest and toughest leagues in the world, Toure who is 33 years-old has still oozed his athleticism this season completing 78.67% of successful take ons whilst Gundogan managed a still impressive, 69.14%.

Pep Guardiola is on his way to Manchester City and the fans have a period of excitement ahead, with the squad set to be revolutionised to fit the Spaniard’s system. There will be many casualties from the current squad, but this article will focus on the seven players he is planning to sign.

1 - Ilkay Gundogan

Estimated Cost: £25million

The German midfielder’s future in Dortmund is in doubt and Pep will be eager to pounce on the uncertainty from the 25-year-old. With most media outlets now reporting that City are in advanced talks to complete this signing, it is very possible that Gundogan could be Pep’s first addition to his new look City side. Capable of playing in a box-to-box or more reserved midfield role, Gundogan is technically brilliant and would certainly provide an instant upgrade on City’s current central midfield options. The long-term Arsenal target would suit English football well and Pep’s style even better. He averages over 80 completed passes per game and his passing range is good, this is highlighted by his long ball tally of nearly 4 per game. An area for improvement may be his efficiency in attacking areas, with just 3 assists and 1 goals in 24 Bundesliga appearances this season.