Manchester City Transfer News and Rumours Tracker: Week of March 17

Despite starting terribly, it turned out to be a pretty good weekend for Manchester City.

With Vincent Kompany's early red card at Hull, it looked like the visitors might drop some vital points in the title race, but Manuel Pellegrini's men were able to rally and win 2-0 courtesy of strikes from David Silva and Edin Dzeko.

With Chelsea losing at Aston Villa, City are now just six points off the top with three games in hand, but that won't stop Pellegrini planning for next season already.

Transfer rumours continue to surround the club, but what's the latest?

Check back here all week to keep up with the most recent City transfer news.

Last updated Wednesday March 19

Shock Move for Arsenal's Thomas Vermaelen?

Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

Or could the answer to those defensive issues be found at Arsenal?

Defender Thomas Vermaelen looks set to leave the Gunners after losing his place in the team to Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker.

According to Metro, he could be set to link up with international teammate Vincent Kompany in the heart of the City defence next season.

Defensive Duo Targeted by Juventus

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

Gael Clichy and Aleksandar Kolarov have alternated in Manchester City's left-back position this season, and the two 28-year-olds are also both targets for Juventus according to reports in Italy.

Tuttosport (in Italian) claim that the Serie A champions-elect have set their sights on the City duo in a bid to further improve their squad for next season, although they are more likely to sign just one of the pair rather than both of them. 

Messi Contract Dispute to Allow City In?An Apparent Co

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

An apparent contract dispute between Barcelona and their all-time top goalscorer Lionel Messi could allow City in to bring the forward to England, according to reports in Spain.

El Confidencial (Spanish) claim that Messi and his club disagree over an apparent contract extension, something which has alerted City to his potential availability.

Elsewhere in Spain, Sport claim that Sergio Aguero could make the move in the opposite direction.

Pellegrini Won't Rush Richards Decision

Clint Hughes/Associated Press

City boss Manuel Pellegrini won't rush into a decision on Micah Richards' future, with the defender's contract running out at the end of next season.

The Manchester Evening News claim that it is club policy not to discuss extensions to existing deals during the season, and so the injury-hot defender will have to wait to discover if he has a future at the club.