Reports have surfaced of Manchester City planning a surprise bid for Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr following the serious competition for Erling Haaland’s signature.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has reportedly identified Vinicius, who is currently enjoying the best form of his Real Madrid career, as a potential alternative to Haaland.
The Brazilian winger is one of Carlo Ancelotti’s most trusted players this season, contributing to 25 of the goals scored by Los Blancos this season (15 goals and ten assists).
Spanish outlet AS reports that Haaland has his heart set on playing for Real Madrid where he could link up with Vinicius. This knowledge is what led Guardiola, according to another Spanish outlet El Nacional, to turn to Vinicius Jr.
The former Red Bull Salzburg striker has scored 21 goals and provided ten assists this season for Borussia Dortmund in only 19 games for the German side, having sat out quite a few matches due to injuries at different times.
Manchester City realise that the upcoming battle for Haaland’s signature as well as the reports that the striker would rather make the move from Germany to Spain than to England, has forced them to seek alternatives.
Vinicius is also being considered as a replacement for Raheem Sterling, whose contract extension talks are not going as planned.
Madrid plot mega Haaland and Mbappe deals
Manchester City may be wise to cast their net elsewhere as reports have also emerged of Real Madrid plotting the bid to end all bids for both Erling Haaland and Paris Saint-Germain’ Kylian Mbappe.
Dortmund’s CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke was in the news earlier giving an ultimatum to Haaland to make a decision on his future. The striker, incensed at the pressure he is being put under by the club, declared boldly that he will be making a decision soon.
His reported statement where he claimed to want to play for Madrid will give the Spanish giants a boost in their preparation for the summer. With Mbappe, however, Madrid will only have to worry about PSG’s efforts to convince him to stay.
The Parisiens are looking to hire Zinedine Zidane at the end of the season which could throw a spanner in Madrid’s plans as the 23-year-old is a big fan of the former Madrid coach and wants to work with him.
Commentator comes under fire for backhanded comment in City’s win over Chelsea
As the behind the scenes action gets hotter for City, their actions on the pitch have also gone up a notch.
In their 1-0 win over Chelsea to widen the gap at the top to 14 points, commentator Jim Beglin called the Citizens stadium by a name used by rival fans as a jab towards Manchester City.
“You can hear the annoyance around the Emptyhad,” Beglin was heard saying during his commentary of the game.
Manchester City fans expressed displeasure, and Beglin went on Twitter to apologise for his words.
“I have the greatest respect for Manchester City Football Club,” he tweeted.
“In no way was my verbal error today intended to cause City fans any offence.”