Rumour Reel: Mahrez to be Man City’s Sane back-up, Red Devils duel for Oxford?
Holly Thackeray | July 20, 2016
Wednesday’s rumour reel is all about battles, with rebuilding jobs set to collide on the red and blue halves of Manchester, while two London clubs could also come up against each other in a tussle for for a Turkey international. So, read on to find out what surprises the summer transfer window could have in store…
Mahrez Man City’s second choice?
Chelsea are one Premier League juggernaut already said to be circling English top-flight champions Leicester City for star winger Riyad Mahrez’s signature, but now Manchester City are also believed to have joined the queue for the Foxes’ forward threat.
The Sky Blues have been sniffing around Schalke 20-year-old talent Leroy Sane for sometime. Yet, if a swoop for the Germany whizz kid fails to bear fruit, Pep Guardiola is tipped to be keen on snaring proven magician Mahrez instead.
Wideman Mahrez, 25, has three years left on his current King Power Stadium contract, so would command a hefty fee for a supposed second choice. Yet, the potential back-up plan caught the eye at the Etihad last term as he sank the last of three Leicester goals past the Citizens.
Though, in a boost for Foxes fans, coach Claudio Ranieri told press Mahrez could follow Jamie Vardy’s lead and stay put: “I think everybody here is happy. It’s finished, the market has finished.
“Yes, he [Mahrez] wants to stay,” stated the Italian tactician.
While, Schalke’s general manager Christian Heidel shed light on the Sky Blues’ Sane chase, saying: “Leroy has made it clear that he would like to leave this summer. We have to accept that.
“However, we will only agree to a sale if the conditions work for Schalke.”
Oxford eyed by Manchester rivals
In more Man City news, new gaffer Guardiola could be set for his first fray with managerial foe Jose Mourinho before a ball has even been kicked in their China-based pre-season friendly.
The Catalan coach seems to be keen on adding young English talent to his Sky Blues core, with West Ham United wonderkid Reece Oxford said to be in Pep’s plans.
Ambitious Oxford is also tipped to be on rivals Manchester United’s radar too, meaning the two Mancunian clubs could go toe-to-toe for the teenager, with the versatile defender rated around £15m.
The Red Devils do have their own emerging defensive prospects in centre back Axel Tuabzebe and midfielder/full back Timothy Fosu-Mensah, however, meaning Man City may have the edge.
Elsewhere, Mourinho is reportedly edging ever closer to a world transfer record breaking move to bring Paul Pogba back home to Old Trafford, with an £85m bid supposedly rejected, though Italian press claim Juventus are holding out for around £100m.
Arsenal and Chelsea chase Turan
Finally, two more Premier League rivals preparing for a transfer tug-of-war are capital clubs Arsenal and Chelsea, with tabloids tipping the two London teams to challenge each other for Barcelona squad player Arda Turan.
The Turkey skipper endured a difficult Euro 2016 campaign following on from a tough term at the Nou Camp after leaving Atletico Madrid. So, it is believed Barca are ready to offload the adaptable attacking midfielder, 29, for a fee in the region of £20m, with the Gunners and Blues apparently Turan’s biggest admirers.
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