Perhaps the most talked about saga of the summer refers to the interest in John Stones.
According to the Telegraph, City have told Everton to take £40million or leave it, as they will not be held to ransom.
James Ducker explains: “Everton rejected a £40 million bid from City for Stones this month but the Manchester club are adamant they will not meet the Merseysiders’ £50 million valuation of the 22-year-old, which would mean him eclipsing Raheem Sterling as the most expensive English footballer in history.
“Any deal over the £42 million that City paid Porto for France centre-half Eliaquim Mangala two years ago would make Stones the world’s most expensive defender, a scenario they want to avoid.
“City, who arrived back home from their pre-season tour of China yesterday, believe their offer for Stones is very fair for a player who has made less than 100 appearances for Everton and is coming off the back of a difficult season.
“Striker Wilfried Bony is thought to have been offered as a makeweight but Everton would prefer a straight cash deal.
“Stones has told Everton of his desire to play for Guardiola at City and the defender’s eagerness to move could ultimately prove the deciding factor, with new Everton manager Ronald Koeman unlikely to want to keep an unhappy player when the money could be reinvested elsewhere.
“If City get Stones, they may decide not to move for Leonardo Bonucci, even though Guardiola admires the Juventus and Italy centre-half.”
Meanwhile, TalkSPORT claim City face competition in their alleged pursuit of Bruno Peres.
An article reads: “Arsenal have joined Manchester City in the fight for Torino star Bruno Peres by making a £15million bid, according to reports in Italy.
“The Brazilian, 26, had an impressive campaign in Serie A last season and caught the eye of a number of clubs.
“Watford have been tracking the right-back since January, while Manchester City have been on his case ever since Pep Guardiola came in.
“However, according to Tuttosport, Arsenal have now submitted a £15million offer for Peres.”
Elsewhere, Gazzetta World believe Pep Guardiola has been key in efforts to bring Gabriel Jesus to the Etihad Stadium.
It’s reported: “Gabriel Jesus’ future is all but decided with word that Palmeiras and Manchester City have reached a transfer agreement, one which was heavily influenced by Pep Guardiola.
“The Brazilian starlet has attracted interest from several of Europe’s biggest sides, with Inter particularly keen to bring him to Italy.
“Instead, Jesus is expected to join the Premier League club in a deal worth €32 million. Palmeiras will receive €20m of that fee, with the remaining €12m being split between the player’s representatives – Cristiano Simons and Fabio Caran.
“Globoesporte.com reports that Barcelona and Manchester United made bigger offers to secure the forward, but a phone call with Guardiola played a role in his decision to join City.
“The Brazilian is excited to work under the Spanish tactician, who only took over at the Citizens this summer after spending the last three campaigns with Bayern Munich.”
The same source also suggest Roma are keen on Samir Nasri.
Writes Suhayl Al Sammari: “Following the departure of [Miralem] Pjanic to Juventus in June, the Giallorossi are looking to compensate by bringing in a midfielder of a similar mould for coach Luciano Spalletti to work with, and have identified Nasri as a player who fits the bill.
“The Premier League club could be willing to part with Nasri on an initial loan, with an obligatory purchase fee of €15 million at the end of the season, according to ForzaRoma.info.
“However, any deal hinges on Roma securing qualification for the Champions League, with the capital club set to face a play-off in August. Should they make it through, a deal for the former Marseille midfielder could be in the offing.”
On the subject of alleged departures, the Hull Daily Mail say the Tigers have made a loan bid for Wilfried Bony.
They state: “The Times claims the current City squad has been told about the loan moves in a bid to reassure players following the unsettling departure of Steve Bruce.
“[Hull] City also only have Abel Hernandez as a recognised first team striker as they head into the Premier League season from the Championship.
“Bony was a star for Swansea before moving to Manchester City where he has struggled to break in to the first team.
“City have tried to use Bony as leverage in their attempt to but highly rated Everton defender John Stones, although the Toffees are reported to be holding out for a £50m transfer fee.
“At the end of the 2015/16 season Swansea were reported to be interested in taking Bony back for a reported £18million.”
Finally, Galatasaray have declared their interest in Jason Denayer – so say the Mirror.
Steve Bates illuminates: “Belgian international centre back Denayer spent last season with the Turkish side playing 28 Super Lig and Champions League games during a successful season long loan after spending the previous campaign on a long-term loan at Celtic.
“City boss Pep Guardiola is so far keeping hold of Denayer but if John Stones arrives at City as expected in a record £50million deal the Belgian star could be loaned out.”
Galatasaray coach Jan Olde Riekering told press: “At the moment Jason is back with Manchester City and I think he’s very happy with his new coach
“Jason was here for us last season and we were very satisfied with his performance. He is a young player but he adapted very well and deals with the pressure very well in the way he performs.”
“He was an important player for us but now City are deciding whether they are going to keep him at the club next season. If they do, we have five centre-halves already.”
Keep an eye on our City Now feed for more rumours and updates as they happen.
