Football rumours: Manchester City get the jump on Bernardo Silva contract talks

The Times says Manchester City have begun contract extension talks with midfielder Bernardo Silva – three years out from his current deal expiring. Silva (27) was close to leaving City last summer to move to Spain, but club bosses are believed to be encouraged by initial talks between the two parties, with City’s propensity for possession-based play a key factor in convincing the Portugal international to stay beyond 2025.

There is also confidence among Manchester United bosses that Mauricio Pochettino could become the Red Devils’ permanent manager in the summer. According to the Daily Mirror, the former Tottenham boss, who has long been on United’s wishlist, is unhappy at Paris St Germain and would be open to a return to England once interim manager Ralf Rangnick’s spell ends at the conclusion of the current campaign.

Staying with managerial rumours, the Daily Mail reports Roy Keane is set to be interviewed for the Sunderland job. Keane, who led Sunderland to the Championship title in 2007, is believed to have support from within the club and will speak to bosses in the next few days.

Elsewhere, The Sun says Lyon are determined to re-sign Alexandre Lacazette from Arsenal, with a free transfer agreement believed to be on the horizon.

Dani Alves set to be sacrificed from Barcelona’s squad for #UEL so Aubameyang, Traore and Torres can play https://t.co/HfdXC2h1xM

— The Sun Football ⚽ (@TheSunFootball) February 3, 2022

Chelsea favourites to snap up Declan Rice in the summer with Liverpool and Man Utd trailing https://t.co/y9kk25SyqO

— The Sun Football ⚽ (@TheSunFootball) February 2, 2022

Eder Militao: AS says Chelsea are targeting the Real Madrid defender as a potential replacement for Antonio Rudiger and Andreas