Welcome to the latest edition of the City Is Ours daily round-up, where we take a look at some of the best Manchester City stories you might have missed.
Bernardo Silva has been talking about his future in a lengthy interview with Portuguese publication O Jogo, where he also revealed he has done something plenty of City fans would be completely unable to tolerate.
Ferran Torres is still waiting to be confirmed as a Barcelona player and Camp Nou head coach Xavi has apparently not finished casting envious glances at Pep Guardiola’s squad.
It seems these really are boom times for the debt billionaires. Read on to find out more.
Dinner with Cristiano
Although residents of the football-mad cities of Lisbon and Porto would probably disagree, Manchester has come to look like the centre of the world for Portuguese football.
Bernardo, Joao Cancelo and Ruben Dias are tearing it up for City at the moment, while Cristiano Ronaldo joined Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot across town.
In a wide-ranging interview with O Jogo, City playmaker Bernardo explained he and Ronaldo have a good relationship from their time together with the national team and that players from both Manchester clubs have taken the opportunity to socialise together.
“We’ve already had dinner at Bruno’s house with all the Portuguese, the three from United and the three from City,” he said. “Bruno has been here longer and I’ve been with him on more occasions. This year we haven’t gone so much because we have a very busy schedule, it’s much more complicated. Sooner or later we’ll all have dinner again."
Bernardo added: “We send a few jokes, one side or the other side, but that’s normal. All very healthy. It’s like the national team: players from Benfica, Sporting and Porto are playing. There are jokes and such, but the atmosphere is healthy.”
Our view : Obviously footballers can’t get involved in all the partisan nonsense us fans do, so Bernardo, Joao and Ruben should definitely make themselves at home as Casa Fernandes. Much like they did in the derby at Old Trafford last month.
Perhaps lay off on those “jokes” though, Bernardo. Looking at his general demeanour during United’s 1-1 draw at Newcastle on Monday night, we’re not sure Ronaldo is a jokes guy. Bruno was also throwing his toys around everywhere, so make sure you all turn up on time with a nice bottle of something for the host.
Barca turn attentions to Foden
As Ferran kicks his heels in Catalonia - more on that below - Barcelona are apparently not done with trying to pick off prime talent from the City Football Academy.
Catalan outlet El Nacional claims Xavi has asked Barca president Joan Laporta to “try until the end” to sign Phil Foden.
The report says “the arrival of Jack Grealish has robbed [Foden] of prominence” and, as such, the LaLiga giants “hope to take advantage of the good relations they have with City”.
Our view : El Nacional have been keeping this column in hot dinners all season, linking pretty much every item listed in the Barcelona fire sale with a switch to Manchester at one time or another. Additionally, Raheem Sterling was frequently touted as a Barcelona target by the publication before interest in Ferran became apparent.
But really, come on. Let’s not be ludicrous. Foden is living the dream at his boyhood club and Barcelona absolutely do not have the financial resources to make such a move happen in the unlikely event of such a move interesting the England midfielder.
Also, the case built regarding Foden being unhappy and unsettled by the presence of Grealish is, at best, paper-thin. As we saw last week, for better or worse, they get on rather well.
Blaugrana tape
Ferran was supposed to be unveiled as a Barcelona player on Tuesday morning but “bureaucratic problems” have held up the deal, according to AS .
The Madrid sports daily reports that Barcelona first need to sell a player in the winter market or negotiate a renewed contract on reduced terms with one of their players in order to register Ferran with LaLiga.
Ousmane Dembele is presumed to be the leading candidate for a pay cut.
Ferran underwent his medical on Monday, but Barca have already put back plans to confirm the signing twice before, with December 23 and 24 the initial dates pencilled in.
Our view : This is exactly what Ferran signed up for - or will sign up for when he’s allowed.
Barcelona are a historically colossal football club and retain an obvious allure. But they are also the club who drove Lionel Messi to the brink of an exit, forced him to stay then persuaded him to agree to a new contract that they couldn’t afford so he left anyway.
As a footballing operation, they’re a shambles. “Bureaucratic problems” probably weren’t a part of this dream move as far as Ferran was concerned, but he’d better get used to them.
Are you bored of Barcelona's apparent fascination with Manchester City? Follow the City Is Ours editor Dom Farrell on Twitter to get involved in the discussion and give us your thoughts in the comments section below.
