City fight to keep Sancho
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ATLETICO Madrid defender Jose Gimenez is keen on a summer move to United.
M.E.N. Sport understands the Reds considered the 22-year-old as a possible defensive signing in the January transfer window along with Benfica’s Victor Lindelof before Jose Mourinho decided against any winter additions.
Gimenez has started just 16 games this season as Atletico boss Diego Simeone has retained the Champions League final partnership of Diego Godín and Stefan Savic at the heart of his defence.
Gimenez’s contract expires next CITY are confident Jadon Sancho will sign a new long-term contract, despite interest from Arsenal.
The 17-year-old wonderkid is seen as one of the brightest prospects at the Blues’ academy - but has also caught the eye of Premier League rivals.
Arsenal are believed to be leading the chase for his signature prompting City to open contract summer but it features a £56m buyout clause United would be reluctant to pay, given the Uruguay international would have just a year left on his deal.
The Reds are expected to reinforce their central defence in the summer having bought Eric Bailly from Villarreal last year for £30m. Marcos Rojo has performed well at centre-half and Phil Jones enjoyed a purple patch in the winter but suffered his fourth injury of the campaign last week – and fellow England international Chris Smalling’s fitness remains an issue.
Gimenez’s team-mate Antoine Griezmann is also coveted by United. negotiations with a player they signed from Watford in 2015 for £500,000.
The club are said to be comfortable with the way those talks are progressing.
City have been keen to convince Sancho he has a future at the club, with Guardiola inviting him to train with the first team this season.
With Tottenham and Chelsea also linked with the youngster, City are ready to offer him a three-year deal and improved terms. They believe that will help to dissuade him from having his head turned by potential suitors and the promise of a quicker route to first-team football.
City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has outlined his intention to provide a clear path from the academy to the first team - and players like Sancho, Brahim Diaz and Phil Foden are seen as pivotal to that.