Manchester City confirmed the £45million capture of Kalvin Phillips on a six-year deal to complete a third confirmed signing of the close season.
But there may yet still be time to secure one more defensive cover signing and a one more departure before the hatches go down prior to the new campaign. A swoop for Brighton's Marc Cucurella still seems likely but only if agreement can be reached on price with the Seagulls asking for £45million.
City cannot agree a deal with Brighton yet as they need to sell either one of Raheem Sterling or Nathan Ake according to reports. Here Mirror Sport brings you the best of transfer news and rumours involving City.
German wunderkind eyed
Pep Guardiola’s side are keen on teenage striker Dzenan Pejcinovic. The 17-year-old, described as a ‘super-talent’, had been building his reputation with Augsburg, but didn’t sign a renewal and his contract expired at the end of June. Manchester City ‘want to sign’ him, however they are likely to face serious competition from elsewhere, according to the German newspaper Bild. VfL Wolfsburg are said to be keen, and there’s also interest from Juventus. Bild suggest the teenager could be the next top striker to emerge in Germany. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Wolfsburg are considered favourites.
Ake told he can go
City have told Ake he is free to find a new club this summer with Newcastle the most likely destination according to Football Insider. The Netherlands international, 27, could be surplus to requirements at the Etihad particularly if City manage to bring in Cucurella as their final defensive signing. And a reunion with former Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe at St James’s Park could be the on the cards for Ake despite interest from former club Chelsea as well. The centre-half made 27 appearances across all competitions for Guardiola’s side last season. However, just 10 of those games were Premier League starts and Ake is behind Ruben Dias, John Stones and Aymeric Laporte in the pecking order at the Etihad. Eddie Howe is a big admirer of Ake having signed him for Bournemouth in July 2017.
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Sterling progress this week
Chelsea are reportedly expected to make significant progress over the signing of City forward Sterling this week. Various reports, including the Evening Standard, suggest Chelsea are not keen on providing a lifeline for either of the big superstars Cristiano Ronaldo or Neymar. But they are keen on Sterling and the striker’s future at City looks set to end with a move back to London and a hook up with Thomas Tuchel’s side. The German wants Sterling to add a different dimension to his side with a goal threat up front and believes the England ace still have his peak years ahead of him.
Belgian youngster off to Saints
City have reached full agreement with Southampton for the permanent transfer of U-23 midfielder Romeo Lavia, with the Belgian youngster set to sign for the south coast side. The teenage midfielder will sign for the Saints in a deal worth £10m, with Lavia the second City talent Southampton have brought this summer following the arrival of goalkeeping talent Gavin Bazunu. In another boost to the coffers from selling academy stars Sam Edozie is on his way to Bayer Leverkusen and Darko Gyabi will exchange dressing rooms with Phillips after a seven figure move to Leeds.
