Premier League giants Manchester City have reportedly agreed a fee of £4 million for Argentine goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli and are preparing a bid for Leicester City superstar Riyad Mahrez.

 

Pep Guardiola is looking to affect major changes at the Etihad and has taken little time in roping in Ilkay Gundogan and Nolito from Borussia Dortmund and Sevilla respectively. If recent reports are to be believed, Manchester City have agreed a deal to bring in a third player this summer. Real Sociedad goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli is understood to be Guardiola’s target, and the Spaniard is ready to match the keeper’s asking price of £4 million.

The City boss is also eyeing Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez after the midfielder’s impeccable 2015/16 season which saw him win the Premier League and the PFA Player of the Year award.

Manchester City have agreed a £4 million fee for Geronimo Rulli

LIVINGSTON, SCOTLAND - JULY 13: Geronimo Rulli of of Real Sociedad in action at the Pre Season Friendly between Livingston and Real Sociedad at the City Stadium on July 13th, 2015 in Livingston, Scotland. (Photo by Jeff Holmes/Getty Images)
LIVINGSTON, SCOTLAND – JULY 13: Geronimo Rulli of of Real Sociedad in action at the Pre Season Friendly between Livingston and Real Sociedad at the City Stadium on July 13th, 2015 in Livingston, Scotland. (Photo by Jeff Holmes/Getty Images)

According to the Daily Mail, Real Sociedad goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli is on way to England to join forces with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. It is reported that the City manager has agreed to shell out a sum of £4 million to lure the Argentine to the Etihad Stadium. The goalkeeper would be City’s third signing of the window.

Rulli is currently preparing to represent his country at the Olympics, where he would gain vital experience to possibly give City keeper Joe Hart a run for his money. The English number one endured a tumultuous Euro 2016 campaign, which saw the Three Lions exit the competition at the Round of 16 stage. Hart has since come under the cosh, with Guardiola turning to former club Barcelona in an attempt to sign either of Claudio Bravo or Marc Andre ter-Stegen. With deals for the two Blaugrana goalkeepers unlikely, Guardiola appears to be content with Geronimo Rulli.

The 24-year-old has been on loan at Real Sociedad for the past two seasons and the Spanish side hope to agree another loan with City for the forthcoming season. It is understood that Rulli’s former club Estudiantes will also receive a cut of the £4 million fee.

The Citizens are readying a bid for Leicester winger Riyad Mahrez

Leicester City's Algerian midfielder Riyad Mahrez celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Leicester City at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on February 6, 2016. / AFP / ADRIAN DENNIS / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images)
Leicester City’s Algerian midfielder Riyad Mahrez celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Leicester City at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on February 6, 2016. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images)

As per Nabil Djellit of France Football, the Citizens are set to make a bid for 2015/16 PFA Player of the Year Riyad Mahrez. The winger reportedly rejected an extension at Leicester City and Guardiola seems intent on capitalising on it by tabling a bid for the Algerian.

The interest in Mahrez has emerged due to obstacles in negotiations for German starlet Leroy Sane. The 20-year-old was understood to have agreed terms with City, but recent reports suggest that Bayern Munich are in the ascendancy and have beaten the English side in the race for Sane’s signature.

Mahrez was arguably Leicester’s best player last season. He played a pivotal role in guiding the Foxes to a shock Premier League triumph. The 25-year made a total of 37 league appearances, scoring 17 goals and assisting a further 11. He also completed an impressive 3.5 take-ons per game (via WhoScored), and as such, would be a perfect fit for Guardiola’s setup.

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