MX23RW : Thursday, March 28 23:48:38| >> :120:15395:15395:

Saturday's Manchester City transfer talk news roundup: Lionel Messi, Houssem Aouar, Matteo Guendouzi

Here, Sports Mole rounds up the latest transfer talk for Manchester City on Saturday, August 29.

The summer transfer window has now begun, with rumours and speculation continuing to swirl as Manchester City eye possible reinforcements.

The 2018-19 champions did not bring in a single player during the January transfer window, despite suffering a defensive shortage for much of the 2019-20 campaign, but they have already started their business for the summer.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up the latest news on possible comings and goings at the Etihad.

Saturday morning's Manchester City transfer talk news roundup:


Arsenal 'still hopeful of signing £54m Houssem Aouar'

Houssem Aouar pictured for Lyon in August 2020© Reuters

Arsenal are reportedly still hopeful of signing Houssem Aouar this summer, despite Lyon placing a €60m (£53.5m) price tag on his head.

The 22-year-old is wanted by a number of Europe's top clubs after helping Lyon to the semi-finals of the Champions League, with Manchester City and Juventus also linked with the midfielder.

Arsenal were thought to be leading the race for his signature, but saw a player-plus-cash bid including Matteo Guendouzi turned down earlier this month.

However, Foot Mercato claims that the Gunners have not given up hope of signing Aouar despite Lyon demanding more than £53m for his services.

Lyon sporting director Juninho recently admitted that Aouar could leave the club this summer amid interest from "bigger teams".

Aouar scored nine goals and created 10 more in 41 appearances for Lyon last season.



Manchester City 'will not include Gabriel Jesus, Bernardo Silva, Riyad Mahrez in Lionel Messi bid'

Barcelona's Lionel Messi pictured in August 2020© Reuters

Manchester City will not be including Gabriel Jesus, Bernardo Silva or Riyad Mahrez in any bid to sign Barcelona attacker Lionel Messi during this summer's transfer window.

Messi has informed Barca that he wants to leave Camp Nou ahead of the 2020-21 campaign, and a number of clubs, including City, are believed to be in the running for his signature.

A recent report claimed that the Citizens were considering using Bernardo Silva and Jesus as makeweights in an offer for the Argentina international.

However, according to the Manchester Evening News, neither player will be included as part of a bid, while Mahrez will also not be available to the Catalan giants.

The report claims that Eric Garcia could be included, though, as the central defender is thought to be keen on a return to the Spanish giants during this summer's transfer window.

Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain are also both said to be leading candidates to sign Messi.


More transfer news from Manchester City:

Lionel Messi's father 'informs Paris Saint-Germain his son wants Manchester City move'
Lionel Messi's father reportedly informs Paris Saint-Germain that the Barcelona attacker wants to join Manchester City. Read more.

Lionel Messi 'requests meeting with Barcelona'
Lionel Messi reportedly requests a meeting with Barcelona officials to thrash out an exit plan before the start of the new season. Read more.

Josep Maria Bartomeu 'will only sit down with Lionel Messi to discuss new deal'
Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu will reportedly only hold fresh talks with wantaway talisman Lionel Messi if he is willing to sign a new contract at the club. Read more.

How Manchester City could line up with Lionel Messi
Sports Mole looks at how Manchester City could line up next season if Lionel Messi joins the club. Read more.

Shirt numbers available to Lionel Messi at Manchester City
Sports Mole looks at the shirt numbers available to Barcelona attacker Lionel Messi at Manchester City. Read more.

Jurgen Klopp: 'No chance of Liverpool signing Lionel Messi'
However, the Liverpool boss would like to see the Barcelona star move to the Premier League. Read more.

ID:412110: cacheID:412110:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:8326:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Houssem Aouar pictured for Lyon in August 2020
Read Next:
Arsenal 'still hopeful of signing £54m Houssem Aouar'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!