The Daily Mail believe the Southampton defender has moved towards the top of Pep Guardiola’s shopping list, with Benjamin Mendy not far behind.
They write: “Manchester City are pressing ahead with their move for Ryan Bertrand.
“Sportsmail reported on June 6, how City had earmarked the Southampton left-back as manager Guardiola looked to bring in new full-backs for the summer.
“Bertrand has been a regular for England since moving to Southampton from Chelsea and the south coast club have not been keen to sell.
“However, City are expected to offer around £25m for the 27-year-old in the hope of tempting them into a deal.
“City remain in talks over the purchase of Benjamin Mendy from Monaco while they expect Tottenham to increase their asking price on £50million rated Kyle Walker.”
Sport Witness follow a similar thread: “City are ready to make a £30m bid for Ryan Bertrand, with Pep Guardiola keen to add the Southampton left-back and address his side’s glaring weakness at full-back, reports the Sun.
“More problems have surfaced however, with Tottenham’s bargaining position strengthened by Alves’ decision in potential negotiations for Kyle Walker.
“Spurs will now want £50m for the England international, though the Saints are thought to be more likely to do business if a £30m offer is given for Bertrand, handing Guardiola a boost in a mixed summer of dealings.”
And the defender rumours just keep coming.
Juventus defensive lynchpin Leonardo Bonucci has allegedly been on the Blues’ radar for some time, but the Italian’s name has not been mentioned much since the end of last season.
That, it seems, could change.
Sport Witness (again) report: “Bonucci’s future is once again a topic of conversation in the Italian sport media. Last summer the Juventus defender was repeatedly linked with a move away from Turin, but it never felt like he’d actually leave, but was rather using clubs including Manchester City and Chelsea to help cement his status in Italy.
“Perhaps that flirting didn’t go down too well with some, because there seems to be a crack in the relationship between Bonucci and Juventus, and there’s regular doubts published via the Italian media.
“Thursday’s edition of Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Bonucci’s agent has once again been putting the feelers out, and has been in contact with both Chelsea and Manchester City. However, neither side are quite as interested in the 30-year-old as they may have been a year ago.
“Neither City or Chelsea have made an offer, but Gazzetta believe Juventus would start talks at around €40-45m. That’s lower than last year, but with Bonucci a year older and his relationship with Juve a little more fractured, it seems fitting that a price drop has happened.
The website also carry another story on City – and another defender they believe to be a target.
They continue: “Nelson Semedo is back in the Portuguese newspapers. The Benfica right-back hasn’t been getting many mentions lately, but there’s a special reason for his return today: Barcelona would be closer to signing him, but of course there’s still room for Manchester United and Manchester City
“In Manchester City’s case, there’s still a little bit of hope. It’s claimed that after failing to sign Dani Alves, the club are now in negotiations with Monaco’s Benjamin Mendy. Meanwhile, they don’t ‘lose sight’ of the Benfica player.
“The way the claims are presented, Record believe Manchester City could be likelier than Manchester United right now, due to their need.”
We’ll be back tomorrow with more gossip and rumour.
