Manchester City round-up: Walker deal in jeopardy; Leicester prepare £25m bid; Brazilian linked with exit

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Reports in the Independent earlier today have suggested that Manchester City’s attempts to sign Tottenham defender Kyle Walker will continue into next week after negotiations have started to stall.

It is thought that the North London side are holding firm on their £50 million valuation of the England international – a price that City boss Pep Guardiola is unwilling to stretch to.

The Premier League rivals have been involved in talks all week, with it being claimed that City are becoming increasingly frustrated by Tottenham’s unwillingness to negotiate on a fee for the 27-year-old.

Yet Spurs’ chairman Daniel Levy is under no obligation to sell Walker this summer, knowing that he has no reason to sell for under the asking price – especially as he still has four years left on his contract.

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The Independent had reported back in April that tensions were rising between Walker and boss Mauricio Pochettino due to a lack of first-team selection, forcing him into seeking a London exit.

In other news, the Telegraph have claimed over the past day that Leicester City have emerged as front-runners in a race to sign highly-rated City youngster Kelechi Iheanacho in a £25million switch.

It is reported that new Leicester boss Craig Shakespeare has been made aware of the 20-year-old’s availability and is now plotting a big-money deal to beat off rivals Everton, Crystal Palace and West Ham.

Iheanacho struggled for regular first-team action during Pep Guardiola’s debut season in Manchester last year, only managing five Premier League starts and 15 appearances from the bench.

The Telegraph understands that Shakespeare is looking for a striker with some Premier League experience to partner Jamie Vardy up front, in hope of rejuvenating the England international’s form.

Lastly, it is looking increasingly likely that out-of-favour Manchester City midfielder Fernando will leave the Etihad this summer, with reports that the Brazilian is on his way to newly-promoted Newcastle.

The Sun claim that the Magpies are set to secure the signing of Fernando ahead of both Southampton and Bournemouth, with Rafael Benitez confident of getting his man for little more than £5 million.

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The 29-year-old cost £12million when he arrived at the Etihad season three years ago but, since the arrival of Guardiola, he only made five league appearances last season.

Reports suggest that he could be announced as a Newcastle player by the end of the week should City drop their £8million valuation of him.

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