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Sunday's Manchester City transfer talk news roundup: Marcus Thuram, Lionel Messi, Phil Foden

Here, Sports Mole rounds up the latest transfer talk for Manchester City on Sunday, November 8.

The summer transfer window has now closed, with Manchester City having again focused on bolstering their defence first and foremost.

Nathan Ake and Ruben Dias arrived for a combined sum of more than £100m, while Ferran Torres was another notable signing. Attention will now switch to the January window as Pep Guardiola's side attempt to win back the Premier League title.

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

Sunday morning's Manchester City transfer talk news roundup:


Real Madrid 'join the race for Marcus Thuram'

Borussia Monchengladbach's Marcus Thuram scores against Real Madrid in the Champions League on October 27, 2020© Reuters

Real Madrid are reportedly in the hunt for Borussia Monchengladbach attacker Marcus Thuram.

The 23-year-old, who is the son of France legend Lilian Thuram, has been in impressive form for Gladbach during the 2020-21 campaign, scoring three times and contributing five assists in 10 appearances.

Barcelona, Manchester City and Liverpool have all been credited with an interest in a player who has been named in the France squad for their November internationals.

However, according to Mundo Deportivo, Madrid are also firmly in the race for the attacker, with Zinedine Zidane's side preparing to battle the likes of Barca for his signature.

Thuram - contracted to his German club until June 2023 - has scored 17 times and registered 14 assists in 49 appearances for Die Fohlen since arriving from Guingamp in July 2019.

The Frenchman, who scored twice against Madrid in the Champions League last month, largely operates as a left-sided attacker but has also played on the right and through the middle for his Bundesliga club this season.



Toni Freixa: 'Lionel Messi would have to accept pay cut to sign new Barcelona deal'

Lionel Messi in action for Barcelona on October 31, 2020© Reuters

Barcelona presidential candidate Toni Freixa has claimed that Lionel Messi would have to accept a pay cut in order to sign a new contract with the Catalan giants.

Messi's existing deal at Camp Nou is due to expire next summer, and it is widely thought that the Argentine, who attempted to leave in the recent transfer window, will move on at the end of the season.

Manchester City are thought to be the favourites for the 33-year-old, who has only scored once in six league appearances during the 2020-21 campaign.

There is still a chance that Messi could pen a new deal with Barca, but Freixa has warned the South American that he would have to take a pay cut due to the financial impact of the coronavirus outbreak.

"With Leo we will speak calmly, face-to-face with Barcelona's best at the horizon," Freixa told El Curubito. "To him, as to all the players who have to renew or sign, we will make an offer that, of course, will not be feasible to match the terms that he has had until now.

"It's evident, and the members cannot be deceived, that the proposal that will be presented to him will not be the same as the one he has had until now, because income has fallen significantly and it will be necessary to find another formula.

"You don't have to conquer Messi or convince him with other things. You have to look him in the eye and talk with him to know what each party wants, what he wants and what Barcelona want. We think Messi still has a lot of football left to play."

Messi is yet to score from open play for Barca this season, with all four of his goals coming from the penalty spot.


More transfer news from Manchester City:

Phil Foden set to treble wages with new Manchester City deal?
Manchester City are reportedly ready to offer Phil Foden a new deal worth £75,000 a week at the Etihad Stadium owing to his impressive start to the new campaign. Read more.

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Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden celebrates his goal against Arsenal on June 17, 2020
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2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Aston Villa167452425-125
7Bournemouth157352320324
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd166462119222
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1612131136-255


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