It’s been a slow summer so far, with the Euros dominating the football scene, meaning there’s very little transfer activity so far. It’s been just as slow on the Women’s side too, but there’s a few stories doing the rounds today that might peak our interest a little.
Pep To Be Offered New Contract?
The Daily Mirror have claimed Sheikh Mansour is planning to offer manager Pep Guardiola a wage increase that will exceed his apparent £20m per year contract. Guardiola’s current deal expires next summer, just two weeks before City are due to play in the expanded 32-team Club World Club in the United States.
It is thought the possibility of City facing the other best teams in the world will lure the Catalan boss into staying and the Blues owner met with Guardiola earlier in the week for a pre-arranged meeting.
Grealish Looking to Move on?
It’s been a tough season for Jack Grealish. The country’s first £100m man only started 10 Premier League games last season and his inconsistent performances saw him omitted from the England squad for this summer’s Euros in Germany. In April, it was revealed that City may be ready to listen to offers for the winger, however, City will want to recoup most of the fee they paid Aston Villa in 2021.
A sticking point would be Grealish’s wage demands, but Football Insider believed in April that his former club may be planning to take him back to Villa Park. With City looking to strengthen over the summer, Grealish may become a makeweight for any future signings.
Barcelona Looking At City Women Defender?
Manchester City women pushed Chelsea all the way last season and one player in particular has caught the eye of Spanish side Barcelona. Laia Aleixandri is apparently on the radar of the Catalan side after a string of excellent performances drove City so close to a second WSL title.
It is understood that Aleixandri, who signed for City two years ago from Atletico Madrid, is very happy in Manchester and it would take a significant bid from Barca to take the defender back to Spain. No formal bid has been made, however, she is believed to be one of a number of targets being explored by the Catalan side.
Morgan Signs For Washington Spirit
As reported in May, City defender Esme Morgan called time on her Manchester City Women career. It has now been revealed that the defender has moved to the States to join Washington Spirit for an undisclosed fee. Speaking ahead of the move, Morgan expressed her delight at moving to the US capital side. “I wanted to join the Spirit because they have the ambition and tools to be the best team in the NWSL, and trying to achieve that will be a great but enjoyable challenge. On an individual level too, the opportunity to work under Jonatan [Giráldez], one of the world’s best coaches, is really exciting and I look forward to learning from him and pushing myself to become the best player I can be, hopefully helping the team to success.”
We wish Esme the very best of luck with her new club.
