Rumor Mill: City choose Rodri over Kante, N’Dombele, Rice; Tottenham want Andre Gomes

City have found their Fernandinho heir

Manchester City have identified Atletico Madrid’s Rodri as their priority midfield transfer target this summer, Goal understands. City believe the 22-year-old is the ideal candidate to strengthen their midfield and are prepared to pay his buy-out clause, which is thought to be €70 million (£60m/$80m). That means that interest in Lyon’s Tanguy Ndombele has cooled, and there is a suspicion at the Etihad Stadium that the France international may have his heart set on a move elsewhere in any case. City sources have also ruled out West Ham’s Declan Rice as a target this summer. City had been keeping tabs on Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante and had asked intermediaries to keep them abreast of his situation, in the event that he became unhappy with life under Maurizio Sarri. A concrete approach was always regarded as unlikely, and Chelsea’s transfer ban, ensured City finally gave up any lingering hope of signing the Frenchman.

-source: Goal

Tottenham trying to hijack Gomes from Everton

Tottenham want to trump Everton to sign Andre Gomes, currently on loan at the Toffees from Barcelona, on a permanent basis. The Merseyside club paid a season-long loan fee of €2.5m to land the Portuguese international but do not exercise an option to sign the midfielder permanently. However, a report in The Daily Telegraph claims Spurs are prepared to pay €35m to land the Portugal international, with chairman Daniel Levy approving the move.

-source: Football Espana

De Ligt offer on the table

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has confirmed the club are considering a move for Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt this summer.

-source: Football Espana

Big summer for Tottenham

Kieran Trippier heads a list of 12 players Tottenham will consider selling this summer as part of a dramatic overhaul of their squad. Spurs are not under pressure to sell before they can buy, but manager Mauricio Pochettino is aware of a need to help finance their spending by streamlining his squad after the club committed £1billion to their stunning 62,062-seat stadium, which officially opened on Wednesday. Standard Sport can reveal that Trippier and Serge Aurier — the club’s two senior right-backs — are among the players that will be made available.

-source: Evening Standard

Atletico looking for left-back reinforcements

Atletico Madrid are planning to move for defender Aaron Martin, who is currently on loan at German club Mainz from Espanyol. The Spain Under-21 international has previously been linked with both Manchester United and Manchester City, but now could be heading for the Wanda Metropolitano. Bild report the defender is on Atleti’s radar and that his current deal contains a €40m release clause, with the club desperate to reinforce their defence.

-source: Football Espana

Zaniolo to stay for now

Sought-after midfield talent Nicolo Zaniolo will renew his contract at Roma, the player’s father has confirmed while claiming Juventus and Inter are the only Serie A clubs who could afford him.

-source: Goal

Difficult move

With your name attached to Barcelona, PSG and Milan, Richarlison gives preference to follow in England. The your main agent, Renato Velasco, who runs more directly from your career, was recently next to the Commander of the rival Liverpool, Jürgen Klopp, in your home.

-source: UOL Esporte

Everton officials have laughed off reports that Brazilian forward Richarlison could be set for a shock switch across Stanley Park - after reports emerged from Brazil that Reds boss Jurgen Klopp had been visited at his Formby home by the player’s joint-agent, Renato Velasco.

-source: Liverpool Echo

Money always talks

No move yet