Raheem Sterling interest ramps up as three Man City defenders could leave

If the rumour mill is to be believed Pep Guardiola could be starting next season with just a couple of defenders with moves for at least three away from the Etihad floated.

Oleksandr Zinchenko, who was outstanding in Ukraine 's emotional win over Scotland in Glasgow last night, looks a likely departure once their World Cup qualification campaign is over. Arsenal seems his most likely destination.

But possible exits for Nathan Ake and Aymeric Laporte have also been suggested, the latter with a move to Serie A suggested in the Italian media.

AKE READY TO LOOK FOR GAME TIME ELSEWHERE

Manchester City have told both Oleksandr Zinchenko and Nathan Ake they are free to leave the club this summer, if they receive a ' reasonable ' offer for either player.

Zinchenko's exit has been predicted for a while with Arsenal's Mikel Arteta keen to utilise him in a more forward midfield role like the one he performs for Ukraine. But Ake has been granted the chance to look for opportunities elsewhere according to The Times given a lack of regular first team playing time.

LAPORTE TO REPLACE JUVE LEGEND

City defender Aymeric Laporte is viewed as the perfect like for like replacement for veteran stopper Giorgio Chiellini according to Corriere dello Sport.

The Juventus legend has revealed he is calling it a day at the Old Lady after 561 appearances in all competitions. And the power brokers at Juve believe Laporte could be the one to step into his boots after impressing with his displays for both City and Spain.

The report suggests that Laporte is keen for more guaranteed first-team football, something never guaranteed at the Etihad Stadium. Quite how that stacks up given he has often been preferred to John Stones as partner for Ruben Dias and has made 42 starts in Premier and Champions League this last season is not clear.

STERLING SPAIN CHASE HOTS UP

Barcelona and Real Madrid are said to be intensifying their efforts to sign Raheem Sterling from Manchester City in the summer transfer window.

According to a report by the Daily Mail, Barcelona and Real Madrid are set to ramp up their interest in Raheem Sterling heading into the summer transfer window.The Manchester City forward enters the final twelve months of his deal with the Premier League champions in July.

Barcelona wanted to sign Sterling in the January transfer window before bringing Ferran Torres from Manchester City instead. But the Catalan giants remain interested in Sterling amid the rising uncertainties surrounding the future of Ousmane Dembele.

ONE FOR THE FUTURE

Manchester City are ready to lock horns with Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur over highly-rated young Celtic goalkeeper Rory Mahady.

The 15-year-old, considered one of the most promising shot-stoppers in Britain, will be eligible to sign a professional contract when he turns 16 in August. Celtic will be entitled to compensation, but City could land themselves a bargain if Mahady comes to the Etihad Stadium.

The 15-year-old would likely spend a couple of years in City's U18s before being in a position to get first-team experience.