City go back for Mahrez as Pep plots £110m spree
MANCHESTER CITY are focusing their efforts on signing Jorginho and Riyad Mahrez for a total of around £110million.
Despite competition from Liverpool and Manchester United, City are favourites to sign midfielder Jorginho from Napoli, though the Italians want £53million.
City have also revived discussions over £60m-rated Mahrez, with Leicester still keen to take Patrick Roberts as part of the transfer.
City winger Roberts has finished his loan with Celtic and is keen to push himself in the Premier League, even if it means leaving City.
‘I’ve enjoyed my football [with Celtic] and everyone knows that. But you also have to look at the bigger picture and I have certain ambitions in my head and places that I want to be,’ he said. ‘To get there I need to come out of my comfort zone.
‘The ambition is to play for a top club in the Premier League. I’m at one now and they’re doing well but you’ve got to look at yourself and what’s best for you and try to pick the best option possible.’
City have evaluated a number of options on the wing — such as Justin Kluivert of Ajax, Christian Pulisic at Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen’s Leon Bailey — but Mahrez is desperate to join City after missing out in January and has Premier League experience.
City have made contact with Napoli over Jorginho, 26, though they are understood to be surprised at his valuation.
Pep Guardiola has admired the Italy international’s role in a stylish Napoli side.
Guardiola had initially earmarked Fred from Shakhtar Donetsk in January but his asking price went up and United have expressed a willingness to pay more than City for the £50m-rated Brazilian.
Bayern Munich’s Thiago Alcantara was discussed by City but the initial response was that he wishes to see out his contract at the German club, which expires in 2021.
Atletico Madrid are interested bringing Sergio Aguero back to Spain, but City have told the Argentine striker that he is still part of their plans.
Joe Hart will have talks with City to decide his future this summer. ‘He is going to come back here and I think his [agent] is going to speak with the club and they are going to decide,’ said Guardiola.