Man City, Chelsea & Bayern eye Thiago – Saturday’s gossip

Manchester City, Chelsea and Bayern Munich are refusing to drop their pursuit of Brentford’s Brazilian forward Igor Thiago, 24, even though the player put pen to paper on a new deal with the Bees earlier this year, according to Teamtalk. The trio of European heavyweights view the powerful striker as a long-term solution up front and are expected to test the Premier League club’s resolve with formal offers in the coming window.

Elsewhere, Bayern Munich have successfully shut the door on two of the continent’s most persistent suitors after France centre-back Dayot Upamecano, 27, committed his future to the German champions by signing an extension, Sports Illustrated reports. The decision ends immediate hopes held by both Liverpool and Real Madrid of luring the defender away from the Allianz Arena this summer.

Real Madrid are equally determined to retain one of their own rising stars, informing suitors that 19-year-old Brazil striker Endrick will return from his season-long loan at Lyon to join Carlo Ancelotti’s first-team squad next season. Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham had all requested information on Endrick’s availability but have been told the teenager is not for sale, Teamtalk adds.

Manchester United, meanwhile, are open to selling Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana, 29, who is currently on loan at Turkish side Trabzonspor after slipping down the pecking order at Old Trafford, The Sun claims.

Inter Milan are plotting to bring midfielder Aleksandar Stankovic back to the San Siro after inserting a €23 million buy-back clause when they sold the 20-year-old Serbian to Club Brugge last summer. Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham have all tracked Stankovic’s progress, but Inter intend to trigger their option to re-sign him, Fabrizio Romano says.

Real Madrid will also exercise a buy-back clause to reacquire 21-year-old Argentina midfielder Nico Paz from Como, according to Spanish outlet Fichajes.

Tottenham have not ruled out a sentimental reunion with former manager Mauricio Pochettino, 53, who steered the club to the 2019 Champions League final, should the Argentine leave his current role with the United States national team, The Telegraph reports.

Manchester City are ready to table a €50 million bid for Roma’s 22-year-old Brazil right-back Wesley Franca, Fichajes understands, as Pep Guardiola seeks fresh full-back depth.

The race for Bournemouth’s 19-year-old French forward Eli Junior Kroupi has intensified, with Newcastle, Tottenham and Aston Villa joining Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United in monitoring the prolific teenager, Teamtalk notes.

Manchester United have opened negotiations to poach 16-year-old English defender Kasen Brown from neighbours Manchester City, Football Insider reveals.

Barcelona hope to negotiate down the £26 million option they agreed for on-loan Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford, 28, but United are unwilling to budge on the valuation, Express reports. The Catalan club have also identified Sporting CP’s Portugal centre-back Gonçalo Inacio, 24, as their primary defensive target, though his release clause stands at €70 million, Fichajes adds.