Lille have bids from six different clubs for midfielder Boubakary Soumare, according to reports in France. Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham are said to be the three English teams who have taken the most interest in him, but it is not known who has actually made a formal offer.

Premier League teams will, though, face competition from abroad, with the likes of Real Madrid, Napoli and Valencia also believed to be keeping tabs on the France Under 21 international.

Soumare is a holding midfielder, and it must be said that after spending £62.5m on Rodri in the summer, the likelihood of City shelling out on another defensive-minded player in the middle of the park is unlikely.

Fernandinho has, though, been asked to play at centre-back for most of this season, and with the Brazilian’s contract expiring at the end of the campaign, manager Pep Guardiola may be looking for a direct replacement.