This is unbelievable £50m Premier League star rejected us for Liverpool – Pep-Guardiola
Manchester City have been in contact with a £50m Premier League star, however, he wants to join rivals Liverpool instead.
Man City chasing numerous January signings
The Citizens have had a tough 2024/25 Premier League campaign by their high standards under Pep Guardiola, with the midweek draw at Brentford the latest setback after holding a two-goal advantage in the second half.
It looks as if those behind the scenes at the Etihad are unusually willing to splash the cash in January as a result. Talking at the start of the month, Guardiola admitted City have to be “wise” in the winter window when it comes to new signings.
“I don’t know right now, it’s not easy. It will not be easy. Maybe we sign, maybe we don’t sign anyone. The club has to be wise. Don’t do it just to do it.
“We want to add players for the situation that we have because the players have consistent injuries many times. Club has to do it but I’m not sure if it will be possible.”
Rodri celebrates scoring for Manchester City.
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It looks as if three main targets have been identified in Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov, Eintracht Frankfurt striker Omar Marmoush and Palmeiras defender Vitor Reis.
Deals have reportedly been agreed to sign Khusanov and Reis, whereas Txiki Begiristain leading the pursuit is leading the City pursuit to sign Marmoush. Should City sign all three targets, their spending at the beginning of 2025 will quickly go above £100m, however, they don’t seem to be stopping there.
Man City are also thought to be in pole position to sign Real Valladolid defender Juma Bah, and another target at the back is Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez.
milos-kerkez
However, City, despite holding talks to sign the Premier League star, may find it tough to secure a deal going off a recent update.
According to The i, Man City have been in contact with the representatives of Kerkez to hold talks over a potential move to the Etihad.
The Cherries value the Hungary international at £50m, however, Kerkez wants a move to Liverpool over either Man City or Man Utd at this stage.
Average SofaScore rating
7.10/10
Key passes per game
1.1
Interceptions per game
1.1
Tackles per game
1.4
Pass accuracy
82%
Liverpool director of football Richard Hughes was the man who brought Kerkez to England during his time at the Vitality Stadium, something which is playing a part in his current preference over a move to Anfield.
The 21-year-old has been in fine form for Bournemouth this season and is being dubbed as the next Andy Robertson by The i, however, if City have their way, they will manage to persuade him to move to Manchester over Merseyside, something that doesn’t look likely at this stage.
Pep Guardiola has praised Manchester City’s owners with the club seemingly on course to seal a triple transfer.
Furthermore, Juventus full-back Andrea Cambiaso has been linked, potentially as a replacement for Kyle Walker who has asked to leave the club.
So far this month, Guardiola has refused to discuss any incoming deals, citing a reluctance to do so whilst there hasn’t been an official announcement by the club.
That remained the Spaniard’s stance in the pre-Ipswich press conference on Friday, though he did allude to work being done behind the scenes.
When asked by a reporter if the deals are another show of support from the club’s owners, Guardiola said: “They have shown it, listen when the players come it’s not because I decide, it’s the club that bring the players here being with his mates or with this manager, it’s for a process for the club.
“The club has to decide, we have to change some players or the manager. And that’s why they decide,” he added.
“The trust has always been there and I think in the last two months, month and a half in another environment, I would not be here! That’s for sure!”
Linked: Omar Marmoush is reportedly set to become a Man City player.
AFP via Getty Images
One deal Guardiola did discuss was Erling Haaland signing a new contract that will keep him at the Etihad Stadium until the summer of 2034.
“When one player decides to sign this type of contract it’s because he wants to show how he wants to be here,” Guardiola said. “It’s the trust of the club to Erling – the club knows perfectly how professional he is. His commitment every day and every game to show his talent.
“And from him because in 10 years we never know what’s going to happen, it’s a long time. Always in a short career what will happen will happen. He proved what he wanted. And he has trust in the club.
“I think what happened is that he loves the club, the people he’s around, the Premier League, he loves to be here and I think he visualised that there is no better place he could be right now or the next 10 years I would say.”
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