It would be a transfer that would rock the Premier League, but would Chelsea really sell their most prized asset to a rival English club?

Probably not is the answer.

So what’s the story? The Daily Express claim that City are among three of four top clubs monitoring the future of Eden Hazard.

City were reported to have been close to signing Hazard in 2012 before he chose West London as his destination instead of the Etihad, but with a wealth of play-makers already on the Blues’ books, could another superstar really be accommodate.

The Express write: “The Belgian playmaker has been talked up with a move away from Stamford Bridge, with Manchester United among the potential suitors.

“City have also been monitoring the 25-year-old and have identified him as a potential target. Despite his slide in form this term, Hazard has been valued at £80m.

“But French news outlet Buzzsport disputes this, claiming Chelsea have lowered their asking price. Instead, Hazard could be sold for £61.5m.

“Paris Saint-Germain, the report suggests, are now leading the race for Hazard.”

Elsewhere, PL English suggest City are tracking a 17-year-old Brazilian forward dubbed as the ‘next big thing’.

There has been a steady stream of youngsters leaving South America destined for the top leagues of Europe for many years and the Blues are mentioned as one of the intrested parties in this instance.

The report reads: “Brazilian footballer Ponte Preta Leandro Henrique do Nascimento ‘Leandrinho’ is in the spotlight of the biggest European clubs like Manchester City, Juventus, Inter Milan and Real Madrid, informed today local media.

“According to Sport newspaper, the South American striker, 17, is a target for several top European clubs and best positioned is Manchester City, after his visit last December to Etihad Stadium.

“However, both Juventus, Inter and especially, Real Madrid also have hopes signing the Brazilian U-17.”

That’s more or less it today, but it would be silly to not include an interesting Sky Sports interview while What the Media Says takes its deserved January break.

Kun speaks of his attempts to find new ways of avoiding injury after a stop/start campaign this season and is worthy of inclusion here.

Aguero told Sky Sports: “There have been times when I’ve come back from injury, played a few games and come the fourth I’ve got injured again.

“You’re working hard in the gym so it could be the gym work that is affecting your legs, then you think, ‘What else could it be? Could it be your diet?’ 

“So you change your diet slightly and then no, maybe it’s not that. Last year I changed my diet a little bit. I’ve always eaten well but now I’m eating a few more vegetables and greens than perhaps I did.

“On top of that the Premier League is so demanding that you can’t play at 80 per cent. I’ve tried turning out at 80-85 per cent fit and that’s when I’ve injured myself. Nowadays I’ve learnt from that and I try not to make the same mistake.”

More Transfer Talk tomorrow…



City face Everton in the second leg of the Capital One Cup semi final on Wednesday 27 January, in what’s set to be a thrilling night of cup football at the Etihad.

Tickets are available to buy online at mcfc.co.uk/tickets by telephone (option 1, option 1, option 2)* and in person at the Ticket Office on the first floor of the City Store at the Etihad Stadium.