Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola shed tears on live television upon the departure of Sergio Aguero, emotionally bemoaning how the club ‘cannot replace him’.
Yet, from the moment the final ball of the 2020/21 Premier League campaign was kicked, Man City have been touted with a move for England skipper and Spurs star Harry Kane, as well as a number of other high-profile goal-scorers.
Such is City’s desperation to get their man, they are reportedly willing to put a host of the current crop of playing staff up for sale to fund a mega-money move for the striker.
Man City have enjoyed a staggering level of dominance in English football over the course of recent years, winning three of the last four Premier League titles, as well as four successive League Cup’s and the 2019 FA Cup.
Securing the signature of Kane would surely make them comfortable favourites for next season’s league title, but as today’s transfer round-up reveals, there is a long way to go before an agreement between City and Spurs is struck.
Here are the latest Manchester City transfer rumours.
City unlikely to pay Kane fee
(Image: PA)
Harry Kane is arguably the best player in the Premier League, taking home the awards for both leading goal-scorer and most assists last term.
Factoring in the fact the striker penned a deal with Spurs three years ago which sees him tied to the club until 2024, those at the top of the Tottenham hierarchy feel they are within their rights to ask for a staggering figure for their most coveted asset.
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is thought to want at least £160m for the forward, which would shatter British transfer records.
While City are one of the wealthiest clubs on the continent, even they have balked at that demand, with one source from the club reportedly telling The Telegraph “We would never pay that figure.”
City’s current transfer record sits at £65.2m, which they forked out for former Benfica central defender Ruben Dias, it is not expected they shell out a further £95m on top of that record figure to lure Kane to the Etihad.
Lewandowski identified as Kane back-up plan
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Who should Man City sign this summer? Have your say here.
Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski is thought to be one name on a shortlist of alternative strikers if City fail to land main target Kane.
Lewandowski enjoyed a stunning season for the German giants last time out, breaking a long-standing Bundesliga record previously held by Gerd Muller by scoring 41 goals in a single league campaign.
Currently on an eyewatering €300,000 [£256,000] per-week contract at the Allianz, Lewandowski has shown little sign of penning a new deal with Bayern.
The Polish international has two years left to run on his current deal, but is reportedly tempted by the prospect of a new challenge next season.
According to The Mail, City could be willing to offer him just that as they grow tired of Spurs chairman Daniel Levy’s incredible transfer demands which could scupper any deal for Harry Kane.
Aston Villa desperate to fend off Man City interest for Grealish
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Aston Villa are reportedly willing to offer Jack Grealish a club record £200,000 a week salary in an attempt to prevent the star from having his head turned by interest from Man City.
The 25-year-old has been the subject of intense interest from the Premier League champions, with City thought to be mounting a £100m move for the Villa skipper.
However, according to The Sun, Dean Smith’s side are set to try and make the England international one of the highest earners in the league if it means he is willing to stay at Villa Park.
Grealish only signed an extension with the Midlands-based outfit last year and has a further four years left to run on the deal, ensuring City will have to spend big if they are to get their man.
Given City could not only match, but better any financial package Villa put together and offer the midfielder Champions League football and title races, it is thought those over at the Etihad are confident they can lure him to Manchester.
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