Manchester City round-up: £30million Monaco midfielder targeted; update on striker; fringe players’ FA Cup chance

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According to French output L’Equipe, Manchester City are showing a keen interest in bringing highly-rated Monaco star Thomas Lemar to the Etihad at the end of the season.

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Lemar, who plays as an attacking midfielder for the French side, has scored ten goals and made six assists already in the current Ligue One season to make the English side sit up and take note.

The report alleges that Pep Guardiola will have to battle it out with Premier League rivals Chelsea to secure the £30 million midfielder, with Antonio Conte also showing interest in Lemar.

Guardiola will have the chance to see the 21-year-old in the flesh when Monaco travel to the Etihad Stadium for their Champions League last-16 tie with City on Tuesday evening.

Meanwhile, Gabriel Jesus’ brother has said that the 19-year-old Brazilian forward remains ‘strong and focused’ after it was confirmed this week that he has broken his metatarsal following Monday’s match.

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Jesus was forced off early on after picking up a foot injury – which the club later confirmed to be a fracture to the foot – but Felipe Henrique has said the City forward isn’t letting the injury get to him.

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Speaking via social media, Henrique said:

“Even in this complicated moment you are strong, focused, determined and blessed.

“God chose you as our number 33 in Palmeiras, our 9 in the national team and our 33 in City.

“We are very proud of you, everyone here likes you, in Brazil I do not even need to talk (about it).”

Jesus could potentially be sidelined for up to three months, which would all-but see him ruled out for the rest of the season; a big blow for Manchester City’s Champions League ambitions.

Whilst the Brazilian is certainly out of Manchester City’s FA Cup tie against Championship side Huddersfield this weekend, the Manchester Evening News has reported that manager Guardiola could give an opportunity to the fringe players – especially with Monaco coming up in the Champions League.

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The report suggests that Kelechi Iheanacho is in line to start alongside Sergio Aguero after not being involved since the 4-0 thrashing by Everton a month ago, whilst Nolito, Fernando, Jesus Navas and Fabian Delph may also come into consideration for the fifth-round tie.

The Spaniard could also decide to mix first-team regulars with youngsters too, with Tosin Adarabioyo, Pablo Maffeo, Brahim Diaz, and Angelino all previously featuring in the EFL Cup at some stage this season.

Manchester City make the short trip to Yorkshire to face high-flying Huddersfield on Saturday afternoon, hoping to avenge their fifth-round defeat to Chelsea in last year’s competition.

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