Manchester City Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Julian Brandt, Andrea Pinamonti

Manchester City will reportedly go head-to-head with Liverpool to sign Bayer Leverkusen starlet Julian Brandt.

According to German outlet Express (h/t Ciaran Kelly of the Manchester Evening News), the two clubs will face off to land the 20-year-old, who has a release clause of £10.75 million in his contract.

His deal runs until 2019, but Brandt's father expects to hold talks with the Bundesliga outfit over a new contract: "We are always in touch with Bayer. I think that we’ll get together in the summer of 2017 at the latest to decide how to go on. I can understand that Leverkusen want clarity."

Brandt impressed last season as he notched 10 goals and eight assists in all competitions. As noted by BT Sport's Archie Rhind-Tutt, that included a remarkable achievement in the Bundesliga:

The winger, who can play on either flank, is impressing once again this year. Here's a selection of his highlights from the campaign thus far:

Brandt regularly looks to beat defenders and often succeeds thanks to his excellent dribbling skills and ability to accelerate away from players at speed.

The German's neat footwork can often leave opponents in a state of utter confusion, as demonstrated by Bayer's official Twitter feed:

He's also beginning to produce the goods on one of the biggest stages in the game—the UEFA Champions League.

Bleacher Report UK's Sam Tighe noted his contribution to Leverkusen's 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley Stadium:

However, for all his talent and potential, City have no immediate need to sign him after recruiting one of the Bundesliga's other top young wingers, Leroy Sane, as well as Nolito in the summer.

That's not to mention Raheem Sterling, who has looked like a player reborn under manager Pep Guardiola.

Here's a look at how Brandt compares with the Citizens' current crop of wide players, courtesy of Squawka:

	Brandt	Sterling	Nolito	Sane	Navas
Apps	10	10	9	5	7
Minutes	726	851	439	217	287
Goals	1	4	3	0	0
Assists	2	2	1	0	0
Chances Created	12	11	6	4	9
Take-ons	21	30	7	6	4
Pass Completion	70%	80%	83%	82%	81%

Nolito and Jesus Navas are both 30, though, and there's particularly room to improve on the latter. Further, it will take far more than £10.75 million to prise him away from Leverkusen if Brandt puts pen to paper on a new deal, so it could well be a shrewd move to recruit him in the near future.

Meanwhile, City are reportedly one of several top European clubs to take notice of Inter Milan sensation Andrea Pinamonti, per La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t TalkSport).

Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images

The 17-year-old has netted 10 goals for the Nerazzurri's youth team in just seven games this season and Arsenal, Barcelona, Liverpool and Juventus are also thought to be among his admirers.

However, Inter are preparing to hold talks with his agent over a new deal, as his current contract expires in 2018.

Nevertheless, City and other interested parties will most likely keep an eye on Pinamonti's progress in the coming months and years.