Welcome to the latest edition of the City Is Ours daily round-up, where we take a look at some of the Manchester City stories you might have missed.
The 2018 Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric is reportedly open to a move to the Premier League champions.
Former Manchester United hero Roy Keane and ex-Liverpool man Jamie Carragher are not the most popular men among the City fanbase, it is safe to say, but both share an opinion that is sure to go down well.
Meanwhile, we like to have our patatas bravas with a nice side of transfer gossip. Intrigued? Read on!
Modric move
It goes without saying that Pep Guardiola loves his midfielders. He has never been one to shy away from acquiring the services of technically gifted playmakers and turning them into world-class operators.
Handily for Pep, there may be a midfielder interested in a switch to the Etihad who’s already reached superstar status.
Super Deporte have reported that Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric would be open to a move to the Etihad Stadium.
Modric’s contract expires at the end of this season and the report claims he could follow in Frank Lampard’s footsteps by having a spell at City before finishing his career in the United States.
A player of his experience and quality would almost certainly be attractive to Guardiola, while recalling a previous surprise Pep signing.
At Bayern Munich in 2014, Guardiola signed Xabi Alonso from Real Madrid. Alonso was 32 at the time but the Spaniard provided experience and a great option from a rotational perspective. Modric, while even further down the line in his career, could arguably do similar at City.
Carragher and Keane back City
During coverage of Chelsea v Man United on Sunday, Jamie Carragher and Roy Keane rather amusingly clashed over City rivals' decision to sign Cristiano Ronaldo.
Despite disagreeing on most things, the pair’s Premier League winners prediction was unanimous - City are the team to beat.
Speaking on Sky Sports, the pundits backed City to be crowned champions of England for the eighth time in the club's history.
The ex-United midfielder stated: “I wrote off City last year and regretted it because they turned it on and won it so easily. As brilliant as Chelsea and Liverpool are I think, at this moment in time, I’d go with City.”
Carragher was also singing off the same hymn sheet.
“Liverpool have dropped silly points this season but I’m with Roy, I’d just go with Man City. Liverpool kept clean sheets but looked open," he said. "City defensively look really strong. Liverpool are scoring all the goals but I’d just go with City at this moment in time.”
Guardiola’s dinner date reveals all
Guardiola is world-renowned for his incredible career within football but he's also a cultured man beyond the pitch.
At Tast, the Catalan restaurant in Manchester that Guardiola part-owns, he reportedly hosted two rather interesting guests recently - Barcelona officials Mateu Alemany and Ferran Reverter.
Mundo Deportivo reported that the trio enjoyed dinner but also discussed key transfer targets at their respective clubs.
It was reported on Friday that Ferran Torres would be keen on a move to Barcelona. A saga could be in the offing, with Barca's terrible financial state meaning they would have to be creative to make the deal happing.
This brings us handily on to Blaugrana youngster Nico Gonzalez, who was also claimed to be part of the dinner discussions. Guardiola's interest is apparently long-standing
Pep’s interested in signing another midfielder? In other news, water (still or sparkling?) is still wet.
Who do you think City should sign next? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below
