All the news, views and transfer rumours from the Etihad this weekend…
With rumours continuing that Manchester City’s summer spending is not quite complete, reported target Pepe has refused to be drawn on speculation linking him with the Blues.
“I’m a professional,” the Real Madrid defender said. “They left a lot of things at the end of last season but I have a contract to fulfil.
“I’m talking to the president of Madrid and my representatives to see what will happen.
“I have a contract, I love the club and I have great affection for the people.”
While the Portuguese was quick to remind everyone that he is currently a Madrid player, he did little to convince them he would be for the long term.
One player who has already arrived this summer is Alvaro Negredo, and the Spanish striker has spoken of his hope that plenty of goals will follow.
Referring to his strike against Bayern Munich last week, Negredo said, “The pressure forwards have is to score goals but hopefully this is the first one of many in a City shirt for me.”
The former Sevilla striker also spoke of his partnership with teammate Jesus Navas, a player he is looking forward to linking up with following their time together in La Liga.
“I have played with Jesus for four years,” he said. “We can understand each other just by looking at each other.”
Manuel Pellegrini will certainly hope so.
The new City manager is also reportedly interested in signing the latest Brazilian wonder-kid (is there ever another kind) Victor Andrade.
The 17-year-old Santos forward will be a free agent next summer and is said to be attracting interest from City, Chelsea and Arsenal.
Hailed by some as the “new Neymar”, Andrade has made no secret of his desire to move on.
“Quite simply, I would love to play in Europe,” he said.
“Everybody around the world knows about the strength of the Premier League.”
Although he was also full of praise for Serie A and La Liga, so for now he appears to be keeping his options open.
Speaking of Serie A, Patrick Vieira is said to be impressing the bosses of Inter Milan, so much so that they are considering making him a future manager.
There is no suggestion Vieira will leave in the short term, with Walter Mazzarri currently in charge. But with a history of promoting young coaches, the Frenchman’s progress may ultimately see him leaving the Etihad for the San Siro.
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