Danilo is a City target
Danilo is a City target

Man City looking to make up to four more summer signings


Manchester City still want to make as many as four more summer signings, with Pep Guardiola confirming an interest in Real Madrid right-back Danilo.

Having seen life in the Premier League get off to an outstanding start, the Spaniard’s first campaign in the Etihad Stadium hotseat tapered off and ended trophyless.

Guardiola has overseen major surgery ahead of the 2017-18 season, with a number of players heading for the City exit in a summer that has seen Bernardo Silva, Ederson Moraes and Kyle Walker arrive.

City are not done there, though.

Guardiola refused to rule out moves for Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez or Monaco full-back Benjamin Mendy, but confirmed an interest in Brazil international Danilo.

"We have many options for people, players coming, but until the deal is done out of respect for the other clubs I cannot say absolutely anything,'' the City boss said.

"But (Danilo) is one option we have.

"I said he's a player from Real Madrid, so we are talking with not too much players but three or four players to try, if possible, to join us for not only the next season but the next three, four, five years because all of them are so, so young players.

"We need that, refresh with the spirit of the new players. It is good for them, for the old players like Vincent (Kompany) and the other ones here in the club.

"It is going to help us to rebuild a little bit more the club and we'll see."

Press Association Sport understands Danilo will cost 30 million euros (£26.5million) with no add-ons and that Guardiola views him as a player capable of playing in both full-back roles as well as holding midfield.

A move for England left-back Ryan Bertrand seems unlikely given Southampton are reluctant to sell, while Pepe Reina is said to have been offered by Napoli rather than pursued by City.

Guardiola, speaking ahead of the International Champions Cup clash with Manchester United, ruled out a move for his compatriot and insisted Claudio Bravo will remain despite an error-prone first season.

Star turn Sergio Aguero is another staying at the Etihad Stadium, with Premier League champions Chelsea reported to be keen to bring in the Argentina striker.

"You know my opinion on Sergio," Guardiola said in Houston.

"I said many times last season and I don't change absolutely any words about what I said.

"He's our player, he will remain here."

One striker that is heading for the exit door is Kelechi Iheanacho, staying in the UK as a move to Leicester edges ever closer.

Wilfried Bony, who spent last season at Stoke, also looks to be on his way out, but Guardiola insists the only reason he is absent from City's American tour is due to injury.

"He is close to making a deal, a transfer and he decided to stay in Manchester," the City boss said of Iheanacho. "Maybe next week or the next 10 days he is going to finish.

"We have an option to have the opportunity in a few years to bring him back.

"But he's a young player and we believe he deserves to play."

 

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