Manchester City Transfer News and Rumours Tracker: Week of November 24
The international break appears to have been well-timed for Manchester City. One win in six and bereft of confidence before the latest round of international games, it gave them a chance to assess their stuttering campaign and regroup ahead of a busy six weeks.
And with City's season still far from on track, January incomings appear more likely than usual. The gossip columns, as ever, will be packed with players linked to City, and here we gather together all this week's best bits.
Pellegrini Says Messi Talk Has Little Substance
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According to a report by Andy Hampson for The Independent, City boss Manuel Pellegrini has described suggestions he is about to launch a bid for Lionel Messi as "rumours."
The Argentinian, who became the highest scorer in La Liga history when he hit a hat-trick against Sevilla recently, has been involved in a wrangle with Spanish authorities over his tax affairs and some had suggested he could be ready to leave Barcelona.
City are one of only a handful of clubs in world football who could finance a deal should Messi decide he wanted to depart, but Pellegrini's latest suggestion is that it's pure speculation at this stage.
Pepe Again Linked with City
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Real Madrid defender Pepe, a player repeatedly linked with a move to City, is thought to be a target for the Blues once again, with Samuel Luckhurst at the Manchester Evening News suggesting Pellegrini will revive his interest 31-year-old next year.
Luckhurst says that with Raphael Varane's form continuing to improve, Pepe may end up being somewhat surplus to requirements, paving the way for a move to City.
Pepe's current deal runs until the summer of 2016, meaning any fee would be lower than the price City were quoted when making previous inquiries.
