The players return for pre-season training next week, the US Tour kicks off in just over a week and the press believe feverish activity is afoot on the transfer front.

Today’s headlines are not dissimilar to those of yesterday and the day before that, but reports Dani Alves could join the Blues next week are legion and Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez has reportedly told his club where he wants to play next season.

Let’s begin with Alves with Sports Mole (via The Mirror) reporting: “Free agent Dani Alves will reportedly undergo a medical with Manchester City early next week ahead of signing a two-year deal.

“The 34-year-old cut short his time with Italian giants Juventus earlier this month, paving the way to reunite with his former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium.

“According to The Mirror, City have been made to wait to tie up a transfer as Alves has spent time back in South America, where he attended close friend Lionel Messi’s wedding last weekend.”

Staying with South American superstars and the Sanchez rumours have, if anything, cranked up a notch.

All summer the tabloids have speculated on where the Chile forward will end up next season and now, they suggest, he had made his mind up.

Football London write: “Alexis Sanchez has reportedly told Arsenal he wants to join Manchester City.

“The Gunners star has been locked in a contract dispute with the north London club for the past year, with his current deal due to expire in the summer of 2018.

“Arsene Wenger is desperate to keep hold of the Chile international, who scored 30 goals in all competitions last season - including one in the FA Cup final win against Chelsea.

“Arsenal are believed to have offered Sanchez improved terms of around £300,000 week to extend his stay at the Emirates, an offer that remains on the table.

“The 28-year-old is currently on holiday having just helped Chile to the final of the Confederations Cup in Russia, where they were beaten by Germany.”

The Sun follow a similar thread: “Sanchez wants to join Manchester City – and has told Arsenal to sell him “right now”.

“The superstar is caught in the middle of this summer’s biggest transfer saga, with the Gunners desperate to sign him to a new deal as he enters the final year of his contract

“However, free-spending Manchester City are determined to bring Sanchez to the Etihad, where he would enjoy a reunion with his former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola.

“Bayern Munich have also been linked with a move this summer after Arsene Wenger’s side missed out of the Premier League’s top four last term.

“But Chilean outlet El Mercurio claims the forward has elected to stay in England with City.”

Finally, one of our old favourites has moved to Turkey to continue his career and believes his new club could follow a similar path to his old one.

Goal.com take up the slack: “Gael Clichy says he turned down interest from Fenerbahce and Galatasaray to sign for Istanbul Basaksehir, who he describes as a mini Manchester City.

“Clichy swapped the Premier League for the Super Lig on Friday as he put pen to paper on a three-year deal with last season’s runners-up.

“The 31-year-old was released after six seasons in Manchester, where he won the league and EFL Cup on two occasions.

He says his dealings with Basaksehir convinced him it was the right project to join - rather than the more established duo of Fener and Gala - and that his new club has a similar feel to the one he has just left.

“City is a club that’s been improving for the last eight years. I’ve told my Basaksehir team-mates that this team could become a mini-City.

“Fenerbahce was interested but there were no offers. I’ve met people from Galatasaray and Basaksehir.”

Good luck to Gael who served the Blues fantastically well during his five years with the Club.