Though Pep Guardiola recently stated he didn’t want any new players in January, the rumour mill continues to churn out fresh stories…
READ: Where can I watch Zagreb v City?
Transfer gossip
Sky Sports: City keen on Ake swoop?
The report reads: “Manchester City are interested in a January deal for Bournemouth’s Nathan Ake - despite a contract clause seemingly putting Chelsea in pole position to bring him back to Stamford Bridge.
“The West London club inserted a £40m buy-back clause into the centre-back’s £20m deal to Bournemouth in 2017, and they are now understood to want Ake back after their FIFA transfer ban was lifted.
“But City are also understood to want to sign Ake if they can next month, having failed to replace Vincent Kompany in the summer and suffered as a result of the long-term injury to Aymeric Laporte.”
Four Four Two: Umtiti fits bill for City
442 write:“Pep Guardiola faces a dilemma in defence as he lacks the numbers to cover injury issues adequately.
“Manchester City lost 2-0 to local rivals Manchester United and slipped fourteen points behind league leaders Liverpool in the process.
“Fernandinho was playing at centre-back, which he has been doing for a while in the absence of Aymeric Laporte.
“Laporte suffered knee cartilage and meniscus injury and is still in the process of recovery.
“Barcelona’s Samuel Umtiti has emerged as City’s main target for the January window, according to L’Equipe (via the Daily Mail).
“Umtiti has himself been troubled with a knee injury over the past year or so and it’s threatened his future at Barcelona.
“He’s only featured in 23 games for Barça since the summer of 2018. As a result Clement Lenglet and Gerard Pique are currently the preferred centre-back pairing at the Nou Camp.”
Daily Record: Champions keen on Rangers sensation?
It reads: “Rangers face a battle to hold on to teen sensation Kai Kennedy with Bayern Munich and Manchester City among the clubs looking to sign him.
“The 17-year-old has impressed in the youth ranks at Ibrox and regularly trains with Steven Gerrard’s first team, although he is yet to make his debut.
“Now Rangers could struggle to keep him beyond his current contract if two of European football’s richest clubs step up their interest.
“Kennedy has a deal until the summer of 2021 and Rangers are locked in talks with the teenager in a bid to extend that deal. But if no agreement can be made the club are in a reasonable bargaining position for a fee.
“Serie A side Roma have previously been in contact over a move and are believed to still be keeping an eye on the diminutive winger.”
That’s all for this morning… more tomorrow.
