Newcastle United and Manchester City in tussle for Kylian Mbappe alternative

 

Manchester City continue being linked with Kylian Mbappe by L’Equipe, but given the French newspaper also continue to link Liverpool, that doesn’t mean a great deal on its own.

Saturday’s edition of L’Equipe also reports Pep Guardiola’s side have made a late swoop to try and snatch Adama Diakhaby. Newcastle United have also made efforts to sign the Rennes player this summer, but, unless something dramatic happens, both Premier League sides look set to lose out to AS Monaco.

The French principality club see Diakhaby as someone who could come in and increase the strength of a forward line which includes Mbappe. But with both being able to play across the attack, Diakhaby is also seen as someone who could help Monaco should Mbappe leave the club this summer.

Newcastle spotted the 21 year old’s talents a while ago, but it took Manchester City a little longer to get into the tussle to sign him. Guardiola’s side have tried to convince Diakhaby to choose them over Monaco, but L’Equipe say that effort hasn’t worked.

Rafael Benitez and Pep Guardiola are going to need a big effort to change this one around, with Monaco now agreeing a €10m fee with Rennes.