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Hello and Welcome to daily Manchester City Transfer corner.
The Premier League title race is getting interesting as we head into the business head of the season, and so is the transfer scenario around Etihad. Though Pep Guardiola has given his verdict about City's transfer plans, that won't stop any top player getting linked to the defending Premier League Champions.
Hence without much ado, let's look at what's today's transfer edition has in store for us.
#4 Man City confident of signing Ilaix Moriba from Barcelona
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According to the Sport Witness, the club from Manchester has kept a close eye on promising Barcelona youngster, Ilaix Moriba and are confident of signing him this January. Barcelona has given a new contract to the youngster which he can sign after he turns 16 on Saturday.
Apart from Manchester City, clubs like Chelsea and Juventus are also interested in the youngster. However, Pep Guardiola's side has emerged as firm favourites, and a deal could be finalized in the next few days. It's believed that City would wait till the 20th for the player to arrive and sort out the final details of his contract.
#3 Pep Guardiola gives an update on Wolves midfielder, Ruben Neves
Manchester City has been in the news in recent times about a potential replacement of Fernandinho whose growing age and undoubted reliance is a concern for Pep Guardiola. The defending champions have been linked with many midfielders to replace the Brazillian with Ruben Neves the latest to appear on the scene.
In an interview, Pep said -
It's not difficult - there are many who can play in that position. There are many clubs in the world, many holding midfielders in the world, and most of them can play here. That's not the point.
Most of them are under contracts. A month ago, I started reading - 'Ruben Neves, £100million'. That is not going to happen, we are not going to pay £100million for a holding midfielder
Guardiola spoke highly about Fernandinho and believed it's challenging to find someone who would fit that role but for the time being he would use either John Stones or Ikay Gundogan whenever necessary.
#2 Man City send Japanese defender, Itakura on loan immediately after signing him
According to the Kyodo News Sports, Manchester City has sent Ko Itakura on loan to Dutch team FC Groningen.
He will play for the Dutch side until summer 2020 and would reunite with fellow Japanese Ritsu Doan. Groningen is currently 15th in the table and struggling to get any momentum this season.
Itakura said -
I'm going to put myself in a high-growth environment and push myself forward.
#1 Barcelona faces competition from Man City for Adrion Rabiot
Manchester City's lookout for a central midfielder would continue until they find a suitable replacement for Fernandinho. According to the City Watch, the Citizens have made a bid for France and PSG midfielder, Adrion Rabit who has drawn interest from all corners of Europe.
It's believed that Spanish giants, Barcelona were the favourites to sign the Frenchman until Man City, Chelsea and Bayern Munich made bids for the midfielder. Rabiot spent some time in City's academy as a youth and Guardiola could accept the prospect of making him the future No. 6.
Rabiot is a free agent in June but valued at £15m in January.
