Gianluca Di Marzio appears to be focusing his transfer news around Manchester City this week, and yet another exciting transfer target has been added to Manuel Pellegrini's wishlist according to the Italian transfer guru.
The journalist believes the blues are now favourites to sign highly-rated Sporting Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho after early reports suggested a move to Manchester United was imminent. City are expected to make an early summer move for the 21-year-old which could force Pellegrini into paying the players €45m buyout-clause. Although the price may deter the blues somewhat, doing business early would eradicate any approach from Real Madrid, Chelsea or Manchester United.
Another Italian publication, but this time focused on a potential exodus at the club. Tuttosport believe Juventus will make separate approaches for City full-backs Gaël Clichy and Aleksandar Kolarov, however, the blues are only likely to sell one player, if any. Kolarov has enjoyed the most playing time out of the two defenders under Manuel Pellegrini this season which places a huge question mark over the head of his French colleague's future.
(Gaël Clichy has been City's second choice left-back this season)
Lionel Messi may have reiterated his desire to finish his career at Barcelona this week, but Spanish newspaper El Confidencial still believe the Argentine's future at the club is unresolved. Reports suggest the club are growing tired of Messi's constant requests for fresh deals and that yet another wage rise (which would be his seventh at the club) is beyond Barcelona's financial reach.
The publication believe Messi wants a lucrative €25m package which Manchester City would be willing to pay. All is not well in Catalonia, it seems.
(Contract negotiations between Messi and Barcelona have reportedly hit the rocks)
In other news, Roberto Mancini has told Sky Sports News that his former club will beat Chelsea in the Premier League title race. The Italian's current side, Galatasaray, bowed out of the Champions League at Stamford Bridge last night, but he has backed his former players to win their second Premier League trophy in three years.
(Roberto Mancini believes his former club will beat Chelsea in the title race this year)
"I think that Manchester City's the best team," Sky Sports News quotes Mancini as saying. "They have the best players.
"I don't know if Liverpool, also doing very well in this moment, can win. I think it will be a fight till the end between City and Chelsea."
The blues currently have three games in hand on Chelsea and sit 6 points behind José Mourinho's team.
