Hello and welcome to the City Is Ours daily digest, your dose of Manchester City news you may have missed.
The Erling Haaland saga has plenty of road left to run but the latest update sounds like a wrong turn for City.
A 15-year-old wonderkid linked to a host of top clubs scored an amazing bicycle kick to catch the attention of an England great.
Meanwhile, a previously reported City full-back target looks likely to stay where he is.
Lineker praises 'special' Endrick
City, Manchester United and Liverpool are among the clubs who have been touted as admirers of Palmeiras starlet Endrick.
The teen sensation produced a viral moment this week when he netted an astonishing overhead kick from the edge of the 18-yard box. Not quite Trevor Sinclair levels, but definitely getting there.
Former England striker and Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker tweeted, “Crikey, he’s at it again. He’s 15. I think we might be seeing a very special talent emerging.”
Yahoo Esportes reported that the striker has caught the eye of major clubs across the Premier League and Europe, having scored 165 goals across 169 age group appearances in his fledgling career.
Our take: What a goal, I definitely wasn’t doing that when I was 15…
Theo Hernandez to stay at Milan
In an interview with The Atheltic, AC Milan’s Hernandez has hinted that he will be staying at the Serie A club.
One of a host of left-backs to have been linked with City over recent years, the 24-year-old France international said: "I'm very happy at Milan, we are discussing the renewal of my contract and things are going very well.”
Hernandez's current deal expires in 2024.
Our take : Once a problem position for City, Joao Cancelo is the best left-back in the Premier League, while Oleksandr Zinchenko is a more-than-able deputy and Nathan Ake has filled in at times recently.
Why sign a new left-back when you can alternate between a right-back, an attacking midfielder and a centre-back? Never change, Pep.
Madrid in pole position for Haaland
ESPN have reported that, despite Manchester City’s ability to compete with Real Madrid financially in the bid to sign Haaland, they still ‘lag behind’ the LaLiga giants, who are favourites to sign him.
The report states the Norway international will demand wages up to a mammoth £30m a year, with only a few clubs able to commit to that kind of financial outgoing.
Meanwhile, rivals United are said to be "out of the race" and will be focusing on other attacking options to add to their squad.
Our take: City know their price and know the offer - both in terms of financial and footballing guarantees - they will make to every prospective target. Haaland is no different and Txiki Begiristain will put the ball in his court. What happens from that point is up to Erling.
Meanwhile, United's impression of the average-looking bloke saying he's not interested in dating a supermodel anyway is just delightful.
Who do you want to see City sign next? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
