Welcome to the latest edition of the City Is Ours media round-up, where we take a look at some of the best Manchester City stories of the day.
City have suffered a setback in their rumoured pursuit of Luca Netz while they're also monitoring another highly-rated youngster.
After Sunday’s thrilling 2-2 draw with Liverpool, Jamie Carragher jumped to the defence of City right-back Kyle Walker after a former Manchester United midfielder criticised the England international...
18-year-old will rebuff City approach
When a club as established and successful as City lodge their interest in a player, they tend to eventually get their own way - 18-year-old Luca Netz didn't get the memo.
The highly-rated Borussia Monchengladbach defender previously rejected the opportunity to join City’s academy and he's now insisted he will do so again if Pep Guardiola comes calling.
In an interview with Bild, the full-back said: “I think it’s nonsense to switch to Man City at such a young age. Even if I were to get another offer now, I would turn it down. I have a clear plan, and it’s simply too early for the Premier League.
“It’s important for me to play for Borussia [Monchengladbach], to gain experience and to develop steadily. Then we will see what happens in a few years.”
Not exactly great news for Guardiola as his search for a new left-back goes on.
City in the hunt for Fernandinho replacement
Much to the sadness of City fans, this is likely to be Fernandinho’s final season at the Etihad Stadium. After a stellar career, the club appear to already be weighing up their replacement options for the Brazilian midfielder.
According to Fichajes, one name on their radar is 19-year-old Barcelona midfielder Nico Gonzalez. They report that Guardiola sees Gonzalez as the ideal replacement for Fernandinho.
The youngster is contracted to Barcelona until 2024, but if the right offer comes in City might be able to tempt Barça into allowing Gonzalez to leave as the La Liga giants try to generate cash to ease their financial woes.
Carragher and Keane clash over Walker
It's not often a former Liverpool player defends a City player, but Carragher didn't hesitate to sing City defender Walker's praises after Keane questioned the full-back's qualities.
“I’ve been critical of him in the past,” admitted Keane. “He makes too many mistakes and he relies on his pace to get him out of trouble but he’s had a very good career.
After Keane had shared his thoughts on Walker, Carragher was quick to jump to the England international's defence.
“I think what Roy’s talking about is because he is so blessed physically you can lose your concentration and actually be there for the team but it [his pace] does get him out of trouble.
“But I like him, he’s a fantastic player, he’s England’s right-back. Man City and Pep Guardiola can buy any right-back in the world and they went for Kyle Walker, they brought Joao Cancelo in but he still plays him [Walker] in every game.”
You can witness a former United player criticising one of City’s stars almost any day of the week, but not every day do you see a former Liverpool player rushing to the defence of a City player - Walker must be decent!
Would you like to see City sign Nico Gonzalez? Follow our City Is Ours trends writer Anil Kandola on Twitter and let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
