By Terry Robbins
CandH’s northern correspondent
The Irons have maintained a watching brief, but Manchester City are poised to hand left back Aleks Zinchenko a new deal, Claret & Hugh has learned.
The Ukraine international was impressive last weekend in front of David Moyes, who is understood to be an admirer of the tricky winger turned defender.
There is chatter our manager could make a move if City did decide to cash in, but boss Pep Guardiola will instead move out France defender Benjamin Mendy, with bosses currently preparing a new five-year-deal for Zinchenko.
The player still has three years left on his existing agreement and snubbed a £20m move to Wolves last summer, preferring instead to battle for his place.
It’s understood City now value the 24-year-old at closer to £40m, which would likely have made us think again – even if European football was on the menu.
Zinchenko has been happy enough accepting rotation under Guardiola and with new wages of £90k a week on the horizon, it isn’t difficult to understand why he will be off limits.