Man City transfer news: Pep targets Thomas Lemar and Eden Hazard

The tale of Thomas Lemar has taken another twist with the Daily Star claiming that Manchester City are “now favourites to beat Liverpool to his signing”.

Last summer Arsenal were leading the chase for the 22-year-old Monaco magician, but they failed to seal the deal after City’s move for Alexis Sanchez fell through at the 11th hour, leaving the Gunners without the cash they required for Lemar.

That led to the bookies installing Liverpool as the new favourites to land Lemar as they searched for a replacement for Philippe Coutinho in January. Nothing materialised, however, and now the Star says that the Sky Blues are in pole position.

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Despite running away with the Premier League title this season, City boss Pep Guardiola is “in the market for reinforcements in attack” after giving up the chase for Leicester City ace Riyad Mahrez.

Having signed Benjamin Mendy from Monaco last year, Guardiola believes he can use the French international defender as bait to lure his former team-mate at the end of the season. The signals being sent out by Lemar certainly suggest he’s ready for a new adventure.

Asked at the weekend by French outlet Telefoot about his future, the young winger replied: “I am open to all offers. I am a football player, I like football. I do not close any door.”

Someone else who may be open to an offer from City is Eden Hazard. The Daily Express says that the Sky Blues are “interested in a shock move” for the Belgian wizard, and furthermore Spanish outlet Don Balon, so often a beacon of reliability in the fog of transfer talk, goes on to say that Guardiola has “been in touch with the Chelsea forward”.

That would suggest that City aren’t chasing Lemar but instead are hoping to bounce the Belgian out of Stamford Bridge as they look to strengthen their grip on the Premier League next season.