Manchester City round-up: Battle on for Leicester’s Kasper Schmeichel; Atletico’s Lucas Hernandez signs new deal; Sergio Aguero fitness concerns

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According to reports in The Sun, Manchester City are set to enter a race with rivals Manchester United to sign in-form Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel over the summer transfer window.

The Danish goalkeeper has recently switched agents to Italian Luca Bascherini, and it is believed that this change has been made in order to try and force a move to one of the Premier League big boys.

Although Bascherini has alleged good ties to Old Trafford, the Leicester number one used to be part of the youth system at Manchester City and this could tempt him into a move back to his old side.

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The 30-year-old was vital in Leicester’s run to the Champions League quarter-finals – particularly influential against La Liga side Sevilla – and was also pivotal in the Foxes’ league victory last season.

And with Claudio Bravo under-performing in his first Premier League season and Willy Caballero out-of-contract at the end of the campaign, Pep Guardiola is expected to be in the market for a goalkeeper.

One man who definitely won’t be playing his football at the Etihad next season is Atletico Madrid defender Lucas Hernandez, who yesterday signed a new contract extension at the Vicente Calderon.

Pep Guardiola has been a long-term admirer of the 21-year-old defender, and had earmarked him as a potential part of his defensive reshuffle this summer, but Hernandez has snubbed a move to England.

A statement from Atletico Madrid said:

“Lucas Hernandez has extended his contract with Atletico for two more seasons.

“Since his beginning in Atletico’s lower categories, his career has been brilliant. This season, the French left-back has continued his great progression.”

Hernandez has impressed in his 20 appearances for Atletico so far this season, and talkSPORT have reported that his new deal at the La Liga giants will see him remain at the club until 2022.

In more worrying news for the Citizens, reports in The Sun have claimed that top-scorer Sergio Aguero could miss the rest of the current season after being forced off before full-time again on Sunday.

After limping off during the FA Cup semi-final defeat to Arsenal a week before, the Argentine was substituted again late on in City’s 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough amidst more injury woes.

Speaking about his forward’s fitness yesterday, manager Guardiola said:

“Tomorrow we will see, but I think he is injured.”

Despite being replaced in the starting line-up after the emergence of Brazilian teenager Gabriel Jesus earlier in the year, Aguero scored 12 goals whilst the 19-year-old was side-lined through injury.

The duo started in a front two for the trip to Middlesbrough last weekend, each scoring in the second-half, but Aguero could be a huge doubt for the visit of Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon.

Featured Image: All rights reserved by Rasit Ozdemir.