Manchester City Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Kylian Mbappe, Alexis Sanchez
Manchester City reportedly still want to sign one of AS Monaco striker Kylian Mbappe or Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez. In fact, City have "formally opened negotiations" for Mbappe, per James Robson of the Manchester Evening News.
The Citizens haven't given up hope of reaching a deal for Mbappe after talks with Monaco, despite ongoing links to Real Madrid. Meanwhile, City remain confident Sanchez's wage demands will price him out of a move elsewhere and eventually lead to a move to Manchester.
Robson reported City are pushing ahead with talks regarding Mbappe as they attempt to beat Real to the striker: "Manchester City have formally opened negotiations over a world record move for Kylian Mbappe in a desperate bid to hijack Real Madrid's pursuit of the Monaco striker. City have stepped up their interest over the last 24 hours and are prepared to pay £143m for the most sought after prospect in Europe."
Robson also revealed City fear Los Blancos could sell Gareth Bale to Premier League rivals and neighbours Manchester United to help raise funds for a deal for Mbappe. The report says City are now waiting for word from Monaco vice president Vadim Vasilyev regarding their approach.
The belief Mbappe may move to La Liga giants Real looked well-founded after reports emerged Los Blancos had agreed to pay a world-record €180 million for the prolific teenager, per Spanish publication Marca (h/t Sid Lowe of the Guardian).
However, Monaco soon denied any such agreement had been reached, according to Bryan Swanson of Sky Sports News. Such a denial could give City hope, especially when put together with reports the Manchester club has been in talks with Monaco over Mbappe.
Citing unnamed reports from France, Stuart Brennan of the Manchester Evening News reported Mbappe may also be concerned about his prospects of playing regularly in Madrid: "The reports claim that Mbappe is more confident of claiming a place in the City first team, but is unsure whether he would break the stranglehold on places enjoyed by Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema at the Bernabeu."
The idea Mbappe would be concerned about his playing time in Real's star-studded line up makes sense. After all, Los Merengues can call on Bale, Ronaldo and Benzema, three of Europe's most decorated and prolific stars.
Benzema is the de facto centre-forward of the three, but Ronaldo spent more time through the middle last season, as Real manager Zinedine Zidane refined the 32-year-old's role somewhat.
The field is crowded at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, but Mbappe should be just as concerned about his chances of starting for City. It's not as if Guardiola's current squad is lacking for quality strikers.
The Spaniard can all on both Sergio Aguero and precocious budding talent Gabriel Jesus. Guardiola has worked to make City's squad younger and may prefer 18-year-old Mbappe to 29-year-old Aguero, but the manager can feel happy with his existing options.
Of course, signing Sanchez wouldn't necessarily impact Aguero and Gabriel's playing time. The Chilean often plays on the left and is at his best roaming from this flank.
In fact, versatility is one big reason Guardiola wants to sign the player he once worked with at Barcelona. ESPN FC's Jonathan Smith cited Sanchez's ability to play anywhere along a front three or behind a striker as a major reason City aren't giving up on a deal.
The Manchester club could see its path clear to the player who is yet to sign new terms with the Gunners, per Robson: "As reported by MEN Sport, City are increasingly encouraged by Sanchez’ advisors pricing him out of a move to the Continent. Paris St Germain and Bayern Munich have both dropped their interest in the Chilean."
However, it may be premature to say mega-rich Ligue 1 outfit Paris Saint-Germain have given up on Sanchez just yet. A report from Kaveh Solhekol of Sky Sports News says Les Parisiens are prepared to pay in excess of £40 million to sign Arsenal's attacking talisman.
The fee offered may not matter if the player is determined to move to Manchester, though. Sanchez is ready to lower his wage demands in order to seal a move to City, according to Miguel Delaney of the Independent.
Sanchez could fit at City on either flank as a replacement for Raheem Sterling or Leroy Sane, despite the latter showing some intriguing potential last season. Playing behind the strikers would be a problem for the Chilean since Belgian schemer Kevin De Bruyne usually thrives in those areas.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has repeatedly ruled out selling Sanchez, per Jeremy Wilson of the Daily Telegraph. Yet City appear intent on pushing the Gunners' resolve to the limit.
The ongoing links to both Sanchez and Mbappe also underline Guardiola's determination to add some star power up front.
City have already spent big in midfield and defence, after bringing in Ederson, Kyle Walker, Benjamin Mendy and Bernardo Silva during this window.
However, the manager who endured his first trophyless campaign last season hasn't finished remaking his team.
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