Manchester City round-up: Sanchez alternative linked; defender set for Inter; Bony in Swansea return

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The huge transfer news surrounding Manchester City on Wednesday morning came with reports from Spain suggesting that Pep Guardiola will make an audacious swoop for Chelsea’s Eden Hazard.

With Arsene Wenger insisting this morning, as reported by the Telegraph, that target Alexis Sanchez will stay at the club this year, City may have to look elsewhere before the window shuts.

And Don Balon now claim that the Spaniard is setting his sights on the 26-year-old Belgian as he looks to re-enforce his attacking options even further and challenge for the Champions League title.

The report alleges that Guardiola has already been in contact with representatives of Hazard to try and persuade Chelsea into selling, and he’s now left it in the hands of City’s owners to snap him up.

But despite Sanchez’s perceived unavailability this summer, Arsenal boss Wenger admitted that it contract talks prove fruitless then the Chilean talisman may leave on a free at the end of the season.

He said: “[When asked if he could leave for free] That is a consequence of what I say, yes, unfortunately.

“But we have to make a choice between efficiency on the field and financial interest and most of the time if you can find a good compromise, it’s better. But in this case, I think I prioritise the fact that he will be useful on the sporting side.

“Look, let’s not be wrong, it’s not an ideal situation on the financial side and it demands some sacrifice but first of all it doesn’t mean the players who are in the final year of their contract will not extend their contract. You have still that possibility and we work on that as well.”

Meanwhile, reports surfacing from Italy over the course of yesterday believe that out-of-favour Manchester City defender Eliaquim Mangala is a prime summer target for Italian outfit Inter Milan.

Sky Sports Italia claim that the Serie A giants have out-lined the 26-year-old centre-back as an alternative to Jeison Murillo, who the report understands is close to a move to Spanish side Valencia.

Mangala spent last season out on-loan at – coincidentally – Valencia, making 30 appearances in La Liga, but it’s been made clear to him that boss Guardiola deems him surplus to requirements at City.

The report also understands that, should a deal for Mangala not be made, then Inter will instead target fellow Manchester City defender Jason Denayer who spent last season on-loan at Sunderland.

Finally, Manchester City forward Wilfried Bony is edging closer to a return to previous club and Premier League rivals Swansea City according to reports in The Sun.

With reports in the Telegraph saying that Swansea midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson is seemingly on the brink of a £45 million move to Everton, it is thought that those funds will be immediately utilised on Bony.

And the Citizens will reportedly accept an offer in the region of £13million for the Ivorian, recouping just less than half of the £28 million fee they paid in January 2015 when he switched to Manchester.

The 28-year-old has struggled in the two years since, managing just six goals in 36 Premier League appearances before enduring an equally woeful loan spell at fellow top-flight side Stoke last season.