Juventus are understood to be plotting a January move for Valencia midfielder Andre Gomes, who’s rumoured to have caught the eye of Pep Guardiola.
ESPN [referring to unnamed Italian sources] reported at the end of December that Manchester City were interested in the Portuguese starlet, with the Manchester Evening News [citing Tuttosport] suggesting that the 22-year-old would be Guardiola’s first signing at the Etihad Stadium when he replaces Manuel Pellegrini in the summer.
The ex-Barcelona coach has confirmed that he will be leaving Bayern Munich at the end of the season, and while his arrival at City has not been made official, Lothar Matthaus [Sport Bild as per Goal] and Yaya Toure’s Dimitri Seluk Sunday Mirror [also via Goal] are just two high-profile figures to express their belief that it’s a done deal.
While the MEN reported that Napoli were also keen on the international midfielder, Guardiola’s hopes of making the former Benfica man his first Sky Blues signing have been jeopardised by news that Juventus are keen on the player.
According to Tuttosport [via Goal], Juve—still seeking a replacement for the departed Andrea Pirlo—are the latest side understood to be keen on Gomes, and have already enquired with Valencia about a deal.
City may not be able to wait for Pep if they want to get their hands on the talented youngster.
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