Manchester City Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Fred and Claudio Gomes

Manchester City have reportedly stepped up their efforts to sign Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fred, while starlet Claudio Gomes is said to have told Paris Saint-Germain he will join Pep Guardiola's side this summer.

The Premier League leaders are ready to spend £45 million on Fred and have held "extensive talks" this week regarding the midfielder, per James Robson at the Manchester Evening News.

Although Shakhtar are open to allowing Fred to leave, City may have to up their offer if they are to land the 24-year-old before the close of the transfer window.

WhoScored.com show how the Brazilian has impressed in Europe:

Fred is seen as the long-term replacement for Fernandinho at Manchester City, having impressed in the role at Shakhtar Donetsk, per Selecao Brasileira:

"

#Fred started his career as an attacking midfielder at Inter, and his quick adaptation to first-team football earned him an early transfer to Europe. At Shakhtar, he has reinvented himself in a deeper role, a similar one that #Fernandinho had occupied, at the Ukrainian giants.

— Seleção Brasileira (@BrazilStat) January 23, 2018"

However, Fernandinho has just signed a new contract until 2020.

Having featured in the UEFA Champions League for Shakhtar this season, Fred would be ineligible to play for City in the competition. However, if he did arrive, he could slot into the team and give the 32-year-old Fernandinho a breather and ensure he is fresh for European action.

Meanwhile, Gomes will leave PSG in the summer and join Manchester City after Guardiola made a personal call to the starlet, per RMC Sport (h/t Sport Witness).

The 17-year-old has yet to make a senior appearance for PSG but has been called up to train with the first-team squad.

ESPN FC's Jonathan Johnson believes PSG should not be allowing such talented youngsters to slip through their fingers:

Signing a highly rated youngster from PSG would be a big coup for Manchester City who are clearly looking to the future. The club already has plenty of impressive youngsters with teenagers Phil Foden and Brahim Diaz having seen first-team action this season.

Guardiola has also used 20-year-old Tosin Adarabioyo and 21-year-old Oleksandr Zinchenko, while key striker Gabriel Jesus is still only 20 and first-teamers John Stones, Benjamin Mendy, Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva are all 23 or under.

City look on course to win the Premier League title this season as they are 12 points clear of the chasing pack. However, their investment in youth shows they are hoping to prolong their success and enjoy a period of dominance.