Manchester City ‘leading race’ for Paul Pogba alternative and other transfer rumours

Manchester City are reportedly frontrunners in the pursuit of Sporting Lisbon midfielder Matheus Nunes.

With Fernandinho returning to Brazil this summer, Pep Guardiola is having to mull over his central options. The club had been linked with a sensational approach for Paul Pogba last week.

Reports since say that the Frenchman has opted against such a controversial move and that the player was only one of a number of considerations for the Premier League champions. Nunes is said to be among Guardiola’s other shortlisted names.

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The 23-year-old helped Sporting to the Portuguese title last year and has played in every single league game this term. He’s netted four times and assisted five more this time around, and is a game away from reaching 100 games for his employers.

A Bola reports that City are ‘top of the list’ to sign Nunes, who will only leave Portugal for a club challenging for elite silverware. Guardiola ’s interest in the playmaker was said to be piqued during their Champions League Last 16 encounter earlier this year.

Meanwhile, City are preparing to offer a long-term contract to Paris Saint-Germain youngster El Chadaille Bitshiabu. That’s according to French journalist Julien Maynard, who adds that Arsenal and Bayern Munich are also interested.

The 16-year-old made his senior debut in December’s Coupe de France clash with Entente Feignies Aulnoye before earning his first Ligue 1 appearance as a late substitute in a 3-0 win over Angers last month.

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