The summer transfer window has now begun, with rumours and speculation continuing to swirl as Manchester City eye possible reinforcements.
The 2018-19 champions did not bring in a single player during the January transfer window, despite suffering a defensive shortage for much of the 2019-20 campaign, but they have already started their business for the summer.
Here, Sports Mole rounds up the latest news on possible comings and goings at the Etihad.
Thursday morning's Manchester City transfer talk news roundup:
Arsenal 'suffer blow in Houssem Aouar pursuit'
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Arsenal's hopes of signing Houssem Aouar from Lyon this summer have reportedly been hampered by rival interest from an unnamed Champions League club.
Aouar is understood to be one of Arsenal's top targets for the remainder of the transfer window as manager Mikel Arteta attempts to bolster his midfield ranks.
However, Lyon's £54m asking price is proving to be a major hurdle in negotiations, particularly as the Ligue 1 club are unwilling to accept Matteo Guendouzi as part of the deal.
Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas recently publicly questioned whether Arsenal have the means or desire to push through a deal this summer.
The Gunners' chances of landing the 22-year-old now appear to have been hit further, with The Telegraph reporting that an unnamed Champions League club have joined the race for his signature and have submitted an offer to Lyon.
Juventus and Bayern Munich are among the clubs thought to be tracking Aouar, while Manchester City have also previously been linked.
In addition to Aouar, Arsenal are also considering moves for Thomas Partey and Amadou Diawara before the end of the transfer window next month.
Tottenham Hotspur 'learn asking price for Milan Skriniar'
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Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly been told that they will have to come up with an offer of £55m in order to sign Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar during this summer's transfer window.
Skriniar fell down the pecking order at San Siro in the latter stages of last season and is no longer considered to be indispensable for Antonio Conte's side.
Manchester United and Manchester City have both previously been linked with the Slovakian, but Tottenham appear to be the English club showing the strongest interest at this stage.
According to Sky Sport Italia, Inter have informed Jose Mourinho's side that Skriniar will be allowed to leave the Italian giants before the end of the transfer window for a fee of £55m.
The 25-year-old has made 128 appearances for I Nerazzurri over the last three seasons, including 42 outings in all competitions during the 2019-20 campaign.
Spurs are also reportedly set to hold talks with the agent of Napoli's Arkadiusz Milik on Wednesday as they look to bring a new centre-forward to the club.
More transfer news from Manchester City:
Liverpool 'want Sadio Mane to convince Kalidou Koulibaly to move to Anfield'
Liverpool hope that Sadio Mane can help convince Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly to move to Anfield, according to a report. Read more.
