Gossip: Midfielders speculation continues

The Saturday papers have a host of transfer lines relating to City this morning, with links to a pair of midfielders gathering momentum, Neymar heaping praise on Pep Guardiola and the latest on Yaya Toure’s future.

Ahead of the Champions League final tonight, Real Madrid star Isco has been named as a reported target for the Blues this summer, with Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo stating that City chiefs have a figure in mind to lure the former Malaga man to the Premier League.

“Isco is one of Manchester City’s big targets for strengthening the squad for a big assault on the Champions League, unfinished business for Pep Guardiola and his side,” suggests Cristina Cubero.

“The Real Madrid midfielder is a player for whom Guardiola has a soft spot, as someone who would fit in City’s system with his style of play.

“The manager is sure that Isco would adapt to English football, and particularly City’s style of play, quickly.

“City believe that they could secure the midfielder in a deal worth €80m with add-ons.”

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Another midfielder reportedly attracting admiring glances from the Etihad is Napoli’s Jorginho, according to ESPN.

Manchester City have held talks with Napoli over a move for midfielder Jorginho, according to the player’s agent,” reckons Jonathan Smith.

“The Brazilian-born Italy international has been identified as one of Pep Guardiola’s top targets this summer as a replacement for Yaya Toure, whose contract expires.

“Napoli value Jorginho, 26, at around £50 million with several Premier League clubs interested in him although his agent Joao Santos says he could even remain with the Serie A side if new boss Carlo Ancelotti wants him to stay.

“Napoli and Manchester City continue to talk, but we’ll have to see if Carlo Ancelotti wants him or not,” Santos told Italian radio station Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli.”

Meanwhile, ESPN Brazil have also published a piece with Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar, who has eyed a future hook-up with Guardiola.

“I have always wanted to work with Guardiola,” the former Barcelona man said.

“It’s different, I arrived after he left. I really want to work with him.”

Finally to Yaya Toure’s future, with the midfielder linked to French club Marseille in today’s L’Equipe.

“Marseille sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta has also eyed a move for Yaya Touré, 35, whose contract at Manchester City has expired,” report the French outlet.

“Touré, who is sponsored by the same sportswear company as l’OM (Puma), is not thought to want a move to China.

“He has been courted by West Ham and several other European clubs.”

That’s all for today, stay tuned to all the Man City channels for the latest news as it happens.

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