Pre-season is officially underway and the transfer deadline clock has begun to tick a little faster.
So, with the Blues setting off to China today, let’s scour the Sunday press to see what’s what…
READ: City’s Asia Tour squad confirmed
Transfer gossip
Daily Express: Pep keen on Alves swoop?
Neil Fissler: “Man City boss Pep Guardiola has spoken to the Alves, 36, who is a free agent following his release by Paris Saint-Germain at the end of last season.
“He wants Alves who rejected a move to the North West two years ago in favour of a switch to the French capital to act as back up Kyle Walker.
“The pair know each other well from their time together at Barcelona and Alves impressed helping Brazil win the recent Copa America.”
Sport Witness: Thiago Almada ‘excited’ by interest
Lucas Sposito: “Meanwhile, newspaper Record has a story explaining Almada’s been excited by the rumours, and has already spoken to people to find out what it’s like to play for Sporting.
Record says that Manchester City are willing to pay €20m to sign Almada, and then they would loan him to Sporting for one season. That’s far more simple.
Finally, O Jogo says a €10m bid from Manchester City has already been rejected. Velez director Pablo Cavallero has confirmed the offer.
“We are aware of the proposal, but it’s not a player that is for sale. He can leave only if they pay the release clause,” Cavallero told O Jogo.
Player quotes
Goal: Mahrez expecting tough AFCON semi
Mahrez on AFCON semi: “We have won a lot of games, that of Ivory Coast is the only one where we went until the penalty shootout. This drives us to be optimistic. We will give it our all against Nigeria.
“It’s true that Nigeria is a very tough opponent. They are one of the favourites of this competition. Nigeria are always playing the leading role in the African Cup.”
The Manchester City man who has scored two goals for the Desert Foxes in the tournament has insisted the game with the Super Eagles will be difficult but he is hopeful his side can claim victory in the encounter.
“The people trust us, we will do our best not to disappoint them. The match will be difficult for both teams and we hope to qualify for the final,.”
Opinion
Liverpool Echo: Extra spice for Community Shield clash?
Conor Dunn: “Liverpool face Manchester City in this year’s English top flight curtain-raiser and it will be their first match up since the Premier League 2018/19 season ended - a breathless competition that saw the Reds run Pep Guardiola‘s side so close in the title race and narrowly miss out by just one point.
“So, with that in mind, with no question over the fact Jurgen Klopp and his men will be out to hunt down the title in the upcoming term and with City likely to push them all the way again any edge that they can get will be a blow struck.
Both teams are likely to be missing key players though.
City are likely to be without a recognised striker, with Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus only due back in training days before the Wembley showpiece, along with Riyad Mahrez, Nicolas Otamendi, Ederson and Fernandinho.
Liverpool could be without Mohamed Salah, Naby Keita, Sadio Mane, Alisson and Roberto Firmino, who have all been in tournament action this month.
Klopp has a very able deputy at his disposal between the sticks in Simon Mignolet and to give Brazilian Alisson a full and proper rest after he won the Copa America the Belgian shot-stopper could start.
Back with more of the same tomorrow...
