Manchester City move into pole position to land Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, Citizens to pay more than £60m for Antoine Semenyo – Paper Round

The England international could join Pep Guardiola’s side in “the coming days”, it has been reported.

“But a fee could not be agreed, allowing City boss Pep Guardiola to take advantage in his own attempts to sign the 25-year-old. And City are confident of securing a £30m deal in the coming days.

“The Spaniard’s increasing need to bring in reinforcements saw him urge Etihad bosses to agree a fee with their Palace counterparts.

“Guehi will be out of contract in June – and some of Europe’s biggest clubs have been lining up to sign him on a free transfer in the summer. These include Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan, with Guehi able to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with an overseas club this month.

“But City appear to have stolen a march on all of them, by offering Palace a price the London club cannot turn down. For his part, Guehi is keen to play for Guardiola.”

Failing to sign Guehi might cost Liverpool title – McCoist

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Arsenal join Guehi race

Arsenal have joined the race to sign Guehi, according to various outlets including The Sun.

Guehi is out of contract in the summer and is poised to leave the FA Cup winners in the near future.

He has been strongly linked with a move to Liverpool, Manchester City and Bayern Munich, but The Gunners are now also showing interest in the England international.

“The 25-year-old centre-back was spotted speaking to Gunners stars following Palace’s Carabao Cup quarter-final defeat on penalties at the Emirates Stadium.

“After Arsenal triumphed 8-7 on penalties, he was surrounded by Noni Madueke, Bukayo Saka and Myles Lewis-Skelly in deep discussion.

“However, should Guehi decide to stay in London, a move to Arsenal is unlikely to materialise in January.

“Mikel Arteta‘s side do not have much to spend this window, and are more interested in acquiring Guehi on a free transfer in the summer.

‘You need to win a lot’ – Arsenal manager Arteta ‘sad’ to see Amorim depart Manchester United

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“Arsenal have scouted the Palace defender in the past as a potential replacement for star centre-back William Saliba, who was considering a switch to Real Madrid.

“But with Saliba settled in north London, Guehi might fancy his chances elsewhere where he is more likely to be a guaranteed starter.

“Manchester City are the only club willing to pay a fee to sign Guehi in January, following injuries to starting defenders Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias.”

City to pay more than £60m for Semenyo

Manchester City will end up paying more than £60 million for Antoine Semenyo, exceeding the Bournemouth winger’s transfer release clause.

Man City will beat off competition from rivals Manchester United and Liverpool to sign the 26-year-old, who is said to have undergone his medical at City on Thursday.

The deal could ultimately cost The Citizens £62m when it is complete, according to The Telegraph.

“Semenyo, 26, made his farewell appearance at the Vitality Stadium on Wednesday with a stoppage-time winner against Tottenham, and he is now due in Manchester for the medical and formalities of a move to the Etihad Stadium.

“The buyout fee in Semenyo’s contract is worth an initial £60m with £5m in bonuses. However, it has emerged that City’s package will see them pay £62.5m over the next two years. The add-ons in the deal are worth £1.5m and there is also a sell-on clause which would see Bournemouth receive 10% of the profits if Semenyo is sold in the future.

“It will be Bournemouth’s record sale, surpassing the £55m Tottenham paid for Dominic Solanke at the start of last season.”

‘Oh what a goal!’ – Semenyo stunner completes Bournemouth turnaround to lead Chelsea

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Mane not for sale

Wolverhampton Wanderers insist teenage sensation Mateus Mane is not for sale at any price amid interest from fellow Premier League clubs.

The 18-year-old has impressed since breaking into the first team, scoring in each of his last two games.

Mane scored the equaliser in the 1-1 draw at Everton on Wednesday, and also netted as Wolves beat West Ham 3-0 on January 3.

“Wolves are determined to hang on to Mateus Mane this month with the club insisting he is currently not for sale at any price,” writes the Mail.

Matoe Mane

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“Mane’s rapid emergence, coupled with Wolves’ likely relegation to the Championship at the end of the season, has tempted Premier League clubs to see if they can strike an early deal for the attacker, with Newcastle thought to be among his admirers.

“Yet at this stage, Wolves consider Mane off limits. Since given his chance from the start by Rob Edwards, Mane has looked a top prospect whose talent should blossom.”

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