Source: Daily_Mail
Manchester City snatch Gai Assulin from Bareclona but fail to lure Alcantara brothers from Camp Nou
Manchester City trumpeted the signing of 19-year-old Gai Assulin from Barcelona this week - but the club reportedly failed in a bid to snatch the talented Alcantara brothers from the Camp Nou.[LNB]Israel international Assulin enjoyed heady comparisons with Lionel Messi but left the Spanish champions when his contract ran out in the summer following injury problems and a lack of first-team opportunities.[LNB]Fellow midfielder Thiago Alcantara was also out of contract in the summer and was known to be on Chelsea and Bolton's watch list before getting the deal he wanted at Barcelona.[LNB] One in, one out? Manchester City's Carlos Tevez (left) who wants to leave, alongside new signing Gai Assulin[LNB]Staying with Barcelona: City target Thiago Alcantara[LNB]Now his dad Mazinho - the 1994 World Cup-winning Brazil midfielder - has apparently told Spanish reporters that City tried to sign both 19-year-old Thiago and younger brother Rafa, 17.[LNB]Thiago has been rewarded by a creeping involvement in Pep Guardiola's first team, making four La Liga appearances from the bench this season. [LNB]He also played for a full 90 minutes last week in the 2-0 Champions League victory over Rubin Kazan and is the subject of a battle between Spain and Brazil over his international future.[LNB]Rafa is following in his older brother's footsteps and has already been capped by Spain Under-19s despite qualifying for younger age groups.[LNB] Carlos Tevez points the finger at Garry Cook over broken promises after City quit threatBlackpool line up Huddersfield keeper Smithies to replace rebel GilksChristmas comes early for Fulham as Santa Cruz hints at England stayFans are fed up with the actions of Tevez and co, says PFA chief Taylor EXCLUSIVE: Dear City, come and get me... love, Edin! Dzeko begs for moveJoy division: Sportsmail's fans pick which team they would pay to watchMANCHESTER CITY FC
