Bayer Leverkusen’s Benjamin Henrichs is top of the list of reported City targets, with the Daily Mail suggesting Pep Guardiola is exploring the possibility of signing the versatile youngster, who was man of the match against Tottenham in the Champions League this season.
“Manchester City are showing interest in Bayer Leverkusen defender Benjamin Henrichs,” writes Simon Jones.
“The 20-year-old, who has been capped once by Germany, has been playing at right-back but can also fit in at left-back and in midfield.
“Arsenal star Hector Bellerin has been a target for Pep Guardiola recently but the Spaniard has since signed a long-term contract.
“His commitment to the Gunners has forced Guardiola to look at alternative targets and Henrichs, like Bellerin, is considered one of the best young full-backs in the European game.”
It’s not all about transfer arrivals this morning, as one recurring rumour grinds to a halt.
Whilst the press have long linked Virgil van Dijk with a move to the Etihad Stadium, Southampton have reiterated that their star defender is going nowhere.
“Manchester City target Virgil van Dijk will not be leaving Southampton this summer, chairman Ralph Krueger has insisted,” report the Daily Star.
“The £40m-rated Dutch defender Van Dijk, 25, is wanted by a host of Europe’s top clubs including City, Liverpool and Paris St-Germain.
“But Krueger said: ‘We are just out of the January transfer window and are striving to keep this group together and to build on it.
‘“Virgil is very committed us for a long time and we don’t see anything but that in our future. He is our team captain and we don’t see him anywhere else than in red and white stripes.”’
The third of our three transfer tales suggests the Blues are thinking about the future and pursuing a promising French teenager.
Lens midfielder N’Sana Simon has earned comparisons with Marco Verratti and Goal claim City are monitoring the youngsters progress.
“Manchester City are keeping tabs on highly-rated Lens starlet N’Sana Simon, Goal understands,” writes Benjamin Quarez.
“Simon, 16, is yet to sign a professional contract with Lens but he has impressed as the French outfit’s Under-17s captain.
“And Goal understand City have watched Simon on several occasions, though they face competition from Everton as well as a number of Spanish clubs for his signature.”
That’s where we end today’s newspaper talk, but we’ll be back again tomorrow for more City-centric news and gossip.
Stay tuned to mancity.com today for team news from the manager’s pre-match press conference this afternoon.
