Calling True or False on 3 Recent Manchester City Transfer Rumours
The summer transfer rumour mill has only just wound down, but the gossip columns are beginning to fill up again as clubs look towards strengthening their squads in the January window.
Manchester City always feature heavily in newspaper column inches dedicated to tracking transfer activity. The club’s recruitment involves seeking out the finest talent at every level, from teenagers to ready-made stars capable of impacting on the first team.
Here’s three of the latest rumours concerning City, and our verdict as to whether they are true or false.
1. Philippe Coutinho
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David Anderson, writing in the Mirror, believes City will swoop for Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho in the summer, but face competition from the likes of Barcelona.
Anderson suggests City see Coutinho as the long-term heir to David Silva's playmaker throne. Qualification for next season's Champions League is likely to be a key factor in determining the Brazil international's Liverpool future.
But given they signed Kevin De Bruyne in the summer, is there room at the Etihad Stadium for Coutinho?
Verdict: FALSE
2. Thiago Alcantara
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Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara is thought to be a target for City next summer, if—as expected—Paul Pogba decides to move to Barcelona, according to Sam Lee and Paul Clennam of Goal.
Alcantara's time at Bayern has been disrupted by injury, but he's been fit and in fine form this term.
It's believed City have scouted Alcantara and see the former Barcelona man as a player with the quality they need to achieve their ambitious targets.
The article also claims a deal for the 24-year-old is not dependent on Pep Guardiola becoming City boss.
It is likely the club are interested in Alcantara, but whether the midfielder would leave Bayern in the near future remains to be seen.
Verdict: FALSE
3. Jose Maria Amo
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Jose Maria Amo, Sevilla's 17-year-old centre-back, has been linked with City in recent days, with the Mirror (h/t Anthony Jepson of the Manchester Evening News) claiming the Blues have sent scouts to see the defender play in a reserve match against Marbella in the Spanish Second Division.
Amo, seen as one of Spain's top prospects, would fit nicely into City's transfer strategy. The club want to entice as many promising young players to the club's academy as possible, regardless of nationality.
Amo is a Spanish under-17 player and currently only has an amateur contract with Sevilla.
Verdict: TRUE
