Man City

Pep Guardiola would like to sign a youthful central midfielder to provide competition for Fernandinho, who turned 33 three months ago. The club had courted Jorginho, but the Italy player moved to Chelsea instead. Another target, Fred, joined Manchester United from Shakhtar Donetsk for £47 million this summer. Julian Weigl, of Borussia Dortmund, was on City’s shortlist at the end of last season, but their interest in the 22-year-old has waned of late.

City could also get rid of three of their squad players: Joe Hart, the goalkeeper, is expected to join Burnley for £4 million; Jason Denayer, the Belgian central defender, was offered to Leeds United, but he would favour a return to Galatasaray, where he spent two of the past three