The buildup to the summer transfer window has now begun, with rumours and speculation continuing to swirl as Manchester City eye possible reinforcements.

The 2018-19 champions did not bring in a single player during the January transfer window, despite suffering a defensive shortage for much of the campaign so far.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up the latest news on possible comings and goings at the Etihad.

Thursday morning's Manchester City transfer talk news roundup:

Bayern Munich 'increase asking price for Liverpool target Thiago Alcantara'

Bayern Munich have reportedly increased their asking price for Liverpool target Thiago Alcantara by €10m (£9.1m).

Rumours linking the Premier League champions with a bid for Thiago gathered pace earlier this month, and the player himself is thought to be very keen on moving to Merseyside.

The 29-year-old is out of contract at Bayern next summer and has already rejected the offer of an extension, with senior officials at the club publicly confirming that he wants to leave.

However, Bayern's asking price was proving to be a stumbling block in negotiations, and Sky Germany reports that they have now upped their demands even further.

Liverpool were initially hopeful of striking a deal worth €20m (£18.1m) for the Spain international, but Bayern now want double that - €40m (£36.3m).

The hike in price is expected to rule Liverpool out of the running for the midfielder's signature, with the Reds unwilling to spend big money in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.

Manchester United, Manchester City and Juventus have also been credited with an interest in Thiago, who has made 36 appearances for Bayern across all competitions this season.

Paul Merson urges Chelsea to sign Manchester City defender John Stones

Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has urged Chelsea to consider signing John Stones from Manchester City this summer.

The Blues have already strengthened their frontline with the arrivals of Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner, while a new goalkeeper has also been lined up.

However, Merson believes that strengthening in the heart of defence should also be a priority for Chelsea if they are to push on from this term's fourth-placed finish.

Stones has fallen out of favour at City under Pep Guardiola, but Merson feels that the England international could thrive as part of a back three.

"Chelsea don't have a naturally-gifted centre-half who can put his foot on the ball and play," he told Sky Sports News. "I'd go and get John Stones for that, and play him in the middle of the three.

"Then I'd say have Antonio Rudiger and [Andreas] Christensen either side of them. Chelsea love to play out the back, they roll it out every time, so you need someone unbelievably good on the ball.

"If you have pace around them, I think it will help Chelsea; I think Stones would be a great buy, and he has to play in a three.

"Stones has the potential to be great, he really has, but he needs the confidence. At the moment Chelsea have three centre-halves that aren't in the same class as Stones on the ball."

Stones, a £47.5m signing from Everton in August 2016, has made just 15 starts in all competitions this term and is into the final two years of his contract.

More transfer news from Manchester City:

Manchester City handed boost in David Alaba pursuit?
Bayern Munich's contract talks with David Alaba reportedly reach an impasse, increasing Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain's chances of signing the full-back. Read more.

Manchester City 'closing in on Ferran Torres with £20.9m bid'
The 20-year-old came through the ranks at the Mestalla and is seen by City as a replacement for Leroy Sane. Read more.