Thursday Gossip

Several stories this morning link City with a move for highly-rated Benfica keeper Ederson.

The 23-year-old Benfica star has become one of the most coveted custodians in Europe of the past year or so and This Is Futbol is one of the many websites carrying the story.

They report: “Manchester City are close to signing Ederson.

“According to a report in the Manchester Evening News the Benfica keeper will be subject to a £30m summer bid from the Etihad.

“Ederson is in his second season playing for the Benfica first team and has impressed with his composure and willingness to play the ball out from the back.

“City scouts have been conducting a worldwide search for a new keeper with Guardiola impressed by what he has seen in Ederson.

“Benfica are one of the most experienced clubs in Europe when it comes to selling players with Ederson likely to cost at least £30m."

Elsewhere, the Blues are rumoured to be monitoring one of La Liga’s brightest young defensive prospects.

The Hard Tackle – via The Sun – write: “Manchester City have reportedly entered the running alongside Real Madrid in the potential summer pursuit of Espanyol fullback Aaron Martin.

“The Sun are claiming that Manchester City are showing keen interest in Espanyol fullback Aaron Martin. The defender has been raising eyebrows with his performances in La Liga and has been linked with the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid. And it seems the Citizens have joined the queue.

“Aaron Martin Caricol is a product of the Espanyol academy and has managed to become a regular face in the starting eleven for the club, under the tutelage of Quique Sanchez Flores."

Meanwhile the Daily Express link THREE Barcelona players with summer moves to City.

The suggestion is not so much the Blues showing interest, rather the players asking about the possibility, though as ever, it’s little more than pure speculation.

The report reads: “Express Sport understands Pep Guardiola is keen to reunite with Lionel Messi at the Etihad.

“But reports from Spanish publication Don Balon suggest Rafinha, Jordi Alba and Andre Gomes have all sounded out the Spaniard to discuss a potential transfer.

“All three players have struggled to earn regular game time under Luis Enrique this season and have become frustrated with their roles at the club.

“Rafinha has been at Barcelona since 2011 but has been limited to just 47 league appearances for the first team since.

“Meanwhile, Gomes only signed from Valencia last year but has found it difficult to impress Enrique."

Staying with Barca and a snippet from Brazilian superstar Neymar Jr about compatriot Gabriel Jesus.

He is quoted in The Express as saying: “Jesus is a great player. He is a player that can achieve everything he wants.

“He could make the difference at any club, wherever he plays."

Finally, Yaya Toure is determined the Blues’ season will end on a high.

Though nobody will give up on the title until it is mathematically impossible, the Ivorian believes City can still finish strongly and land silverware.

Quoted in 101greatgoals, Yaya said: ‘It’s all about the next two weeks. All that’s important now is finishing the season strongly – finishing in the top four – giving the -Champions League to the fans again.

‘We have to fight. We’re in the semi-finals of the FA Cup – that’s a brilliant cup.

‘Of course, City deserve more, but we’ve such a lot of young players we need time and, in the future, we can be a perfect team.’

More speculation and gossip tomorrow…