Manchester City round-up: Benitez targets free agent; Bony targeted; Celtic secure midfielder

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Manchester City’s Jesus Navas could potentially be given a Premier League life-line ahead of the new season, with reports claiming that newly-promoted Newcastle United are tempted to sign him this summer.

Spanish outlet AS allege that boss Rafael Benitez has made the 31-year-old winger a priority as he looks to strengthen his squad with experienced players, and he knows he can get Navas on a free transfer.

The Spaniard was part of Pep Guardiola’s mass clear-out of Manchester City last month, joining Pablo Zabaleta, Gael Clichy, Bacary Sagna and Willy Caballero in not getting offered a new contract.

The report claims that La Liga side Sevilla had been leading the race to sign Navas but, after their interest has cooled of late, Newcastle have now taken the lead in a race for the pacey right winger.

And Benitez is reportedly happy to meet the Spaniard’s financial demands of £1.3 million per year, with negotiations with representatives of Navas already taking place.

Meanwhile, reports emanating from France today have suggested that Manchester City’s flop forward Wilfried Bony could end his tumultuous time at the Etihad amidst interest from Marseille.

France Football have claimed that – as well as targeting Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud and AC Milan’s Carlos Bacca – the 28-year-old Ivorian has been touted as a potential hit-man for the Ligue One side.

And it’s thought that the Citizens would only be looking for around £15 million for a potential switch as they look to re-coup at least half of the £28 million transfer fee they paid when he arrived from Swansea.

A move to France would signal the end of a miserable few years for Bony, struggling to hold down regular first-team football at Manchester City before struggling on-loan at Stoke City last campaign.

Finally, the Daily Record have reported that Scottish champions Celtic are on the verge of securing the signing of Manchester City midfielder Olivier Ntcham.

The 21-year-old has yet to make his City debut since arriving from French side Le Havre in 2012, instead spending the past two seasons on-loan at Serie A club Genoa and impressing whilst in Italy.

And it is understood that the Frenchman is nearing a £4 million move to Celtic – a move that could be completed this week – and he could be made available for their Champions League tie on Friday night.

Ntcham is one of the most exciting young prospects in European football at the moment, making over 40 appearances for Genoa – scoring three times – and turning the heads of Italy’s bigger sides during his spell.

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