Real Madrid close in on move for Manchester City youngster Brahim Diaz as Etihad contract talks stall
REAL MADRID are increasingly confident of landing Manchester City youngster Brahim Diaz in the summer.
The Spanish teen will be out of contract at the Etihad at the end of this season and talks over a new deal have failed to find an agreement.
Diaz scored twice in City's 2-0 win over Fulham in the EFL Cup earlier this month but has rarely featured for the first team., and even with several midfielders currently injured, he has not been drafted in to Pep Guardiola's starting XI.
His concern is that trend may continue if he commits to more years at the Etihad.
Madrid have been keeping close tabs on the situation and believe they can take advantage of the stand off and get their man.
The City boss would like to keep Brahim in an ideal world but is becoming resigned to losing him in the next few months.
There is more positive news over Brahim's close friend Phil Foden, 18, who is expected to put pen to paper on a new six year deal in the coming days.
The England Under 21 international's busy schedule is all that has held up the paperwork being signed.
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City superstar Kevin de Bruyne is losing his battle to be fit to face his old club Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on December 8.
The Belgian has been sidelined for much of the season - picking up another knee injury in the game against Fulham on November 1.
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City sources say he will definitely not be ready for the clash with Bournemouth on Saturday - or the trip to Watford three days later.
That means he will be short of match action for the trip to Stamford Bridge and Guardiola will be cautious not to rush him back too soon.
KdB was making only his second start of the season when he was injured against Fulham - and had just returned from a knee problem he suffered in the opening week.
Meanwhile Pep Guardiola's squad and staff were relieved to be back on the ground yesterday afternoon after a choppy flight back from Lyon.
The party flew into storms and 70mph gales as they approached Manchester airport after training in France in the morning.