Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola will hope to see his side build on their Carabao Cup triumph when they return to action after the international break.
The Citizens defeated rivals Arsenal in the final at Wembley last week and next face Liverpool in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup at the start of April.
Guardiola’s side have fallen nine points behind the Gunners in the Premier League title race but do have a game-in-hand over their rivals, and also welcome Mikel Arteta’s team to The Etihad in April.
In the meantime, it appears that City are planning an audacious attempt to sign a Premier League midfielder in a shock swap deal.
As per TEAMtalk, Man City are interested in Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali and could look to sign the Italian even if they also land Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson.
England international Anderson looks increasingly likely to seal a move to The Etihad this summer, but the report claims that City’s sporting director, Hugo Viana, is also considering other targets due to uncertainty surrounding some of City’s current crop of midfielders.
Tonali scored for Italy against Northern Ireland on Thursday. (Photo: Sipa US/Alamy)
It is claimed that both Bernardo Silva and Rodri face uncertain futures in Manchester, with the latter having emerged as a target for Real Madrid.
With that in mind, City are monitoring Italy international Tonali, whose representatives have been sounding out interest from Premier League clubs including Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea.
According to the report, City would be willing to include players as part of a player-plus cash deal to sign Tonali, who joined the Magpies from AC Milan back in 2023 and has since made more than 100 appearances for the club.
Goalkeeper James Trafford – who played for England against Uruguay on Friday evening – is said to be one player that could be of interest to Newcastle, while his fellow countryman Rico Lewis is another name mentioned.
Issa Kabore and Juma Bah are also named, with City also interested in Newcastle full-back Tino Livramento.