Pep Guardiola has explained how Phil Foden is finding it difficult to move on from an ankle injury due to Manchester City's intense schedule.
Foden's start to the season was delayed after he returned from Euro 2020 with England, but the midfielder contributed three goals and an assist in his first four Premier League starts.
An ankle knock has since disrupted his momentum, however. Although Foden added another assist against Watford last time out in the league, he has been restricted to just 688 minutes – ranking 12th among City players.
Following the Watford game, the 21-year-old lasted only 45 minutes against RB Leipzig in the Champions League before he was substituted as a precaution.
Foden was set to be assessed again on Friday after Guardiola faced the media to acknowledge there was no opportunity for a break, with City in the middle of a December that will see them play eight times in all.
"When you have an injury in your ankle and two months of holiday, you will recover incredibly well – but when you have every three days games, you will have niggles," Guardiola said.
"He still has these niggles and has to live with that. But every time, he is better and better.
"I don't think [he would want a break]. He will dictate and say how he feels after games. At this moment, in December, with this amount of games, and knowing Phil, he will want to fight to be there.
"So we will see how he feels. We will see game by game."
Foden may not be City's only injury worry by the end of the month, but Guardiola acknowledges there is little prospect of a packed festive fixture list easing in years to come.
"It's good, it's historic," he said. "I like to play in winter time. My words are not going to change anything.
"When you play with just two days' rest between Christmas time and New Year's Eve, there is no time to recover for the players.
"But every season for the past 20, 30, 40 years, we are discussing but there is no change. So we just adapt, adjust, pray the players don't get injured and go forward."
City have already won 31 Premier League games in 2021, giving them every chance of beating Liverpool's top-flight calendar-year record of 33 in 1982.
Their next test is against Wolves, who did the double over City two seasons ago and pushed title rivals Liverpool close last time out.
While this fixture has the highest goals-per-game ratio among those played 60 times or more in English league football (3.83 – 437 goals in 114 meetings), Wolves matches have this season seen fewer goals than any other Premier League side (25 – 12 scored, 13 conceded).
"It's not just about the game against Liverpool," Guardiola said. "When you have played 15 games and you can take a look at goals scored, goals conceded - [Wolves'] balance is so stable, few on both sides.
"It's quite similar – we played against Wolves last year, always tight, tight games. We lost a few, when we won, always tight.
"It has always been a difficult, difficult game, for the quality they have, for the structure, the pace they up front, the set-pieces, the personality, the character, the players, good keepers.
"They are up there. They are doing an incredible season so far. We know it, but at the same time, we are in a good position to continue our run in the Premier League."
Mauricio Pochettino remains Manchester United's top target, according to reports.
It may be some time before the Paris Saint-Germain boss ends up at Old Trafford, though.
United appear set to finish this season with an interim manager before making a permanent move for the sacked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's long-term successor.
TOP STORY – UNITED FOCUSED ON INTERIM MANAGER OPTIONS
All indications are that Mauricio Pochettino will end up at Manchester United eventually, but it could take several months.
The Daily Star reports Pochettino will have to wait six months – through to the end of this season – before jumping from Paris Saint-Germain to Old Trafford.
The report says United have not made any official overtures to PSG and are focused on finding an interim boss instead, with hopes of appointing one by mid-December.
Julen Lopetegui and Ernesto Valverde are among the candidates for that role, claims the Daily Star, while the Mirror says Ralf Rangnick, Paulo Fonseca, Lucien Favre and Rudi Garcia also are in the mix, along with caretaker manager Michael Carrick.
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- United and Newcastle are the top contenders to sign Kieran Trippier from Atletico Madrid, according to The Sun.
- Liverpool and Barcelona are eyeing a move for Christian Pulisic, reports El Nacional, but Chelsea's €50million price tag would be too much for Barca and the Blues prefer not to sell the USA international to another Premier League club.
- Chelsea are interested in adding defender Attila Szalai from Fenerbahce, says Football Insider.
- Adama Traore could be on the move in January as Wolves are prepared to listen to offers for the 25-year-old, Football Insider reports.
Real Madrid are well-known admirers of Kylian Mbappe.
The Spanish giants have been linked with a January move for the winger.
Mbappe has indicated he will leave Paris Saint-Germain in the near future.
TOP STORY – REAL TO REMAIN PATIENT FOR MBAPPE
Real Madrid will not chase a deal for Paris Saint-Germain's Mbappe during the January transfer window, claims Mundo Deportivo.
Los Blancos have been pursuing the 22-year-old France international who is out of contract at the end of this season.
There had been speculation about when Madrid would move for Mbappe, given his contract status, but it is anticipated they will patiently wait until the off-season when he is a free agent.
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- Sky Sports Germany claims that Juventus could make a move for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Axel Witsel in January. The report claims that Witsel is keen on a quick move.
- Philippe Coutinho is set to snub cashed-up Newcastle United in January as he does not want to leave Barcelona, claims Sport.
- Barcelona are set to table a €40million offer for Red Bull Salzburg forward Karim Adeyemi according to Sport1, although Dortmund remain favourites to sign the teenager.
- Wolverhampton are ready to cash in Spanish winger Adama Traore in January with Barcelona circling to rival Liverpool for his signature, reports 90min.
- Former Chelsea manager Frank Lampard is not in consideration for the vacant Rangers head coaching position following Steven Gerrard's exit, reports Sky Sports.
It appears Raheem Sterling's future is away from Manchester City.
Down the pecking order, Sterling has been linked with Barcelona.
City, however, are believed to want a player as part of any deal.
TOP STORY – STERLING OUT, TER STEGEN IN?
Manchester City are interested in a swap deal that could see Raheem Sterling move to Barcelona in exchange for Marc-Andre ter Stegen, according to El Nacional.
Barca are reportedly trying to bring Sterling to Camp Nou, with the England international struggling for regular game time at the Premier League champions.
Pep Guardiola had previously tried to bring Frenkie de Jong to Manchester but Barca were not keen, though the City manager is now interested in goalkeeper Ter Stegen – who has been linked with Bayern Munich in the past.
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- Real Madrid plan to extend Luka Modric's contract for one more season, reports Marca. The 36-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season. He has previously been linked with Milan and Inter.
- Diario AS claims Barcelona are eyeing a move for Spain and Chelsea star Cesar Azpilicueta. The 32-year-old is out of contract at season's end.
- Gazzetta dello Sport claims Milan are accelerating their efforts to sign Lille and Portugal star Renato Sanches. It comes amid uncertainty over soon-to-be free agent Franck Kessie, who is tipped to leave Milan following reported interest from the likes of Manchester United, Barca, Paris Saint-Germain, Tottenham and Inter. Sanches has also been suggested as a target for Liverpool and Wolves.
- Calciomercato claims City, Liverpool, Juventus and Roma are targeting Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Denis Zakaria.
- Serie A champions Inter are pushing to sign Eintracht Frankfurt's Filip Kostic, per Gazzetta dello sport. Inter tried to prise the winger from Eintracht at the start of the season.
Real Madrid are trying to offload a pair of veterans to Tottenham.
Eden Hazard and Gareth Bale could be on the way out at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Spurs are reportedly only interested in one of them.
TOP STORY – SPURS WEIGH BALE REUNION
Gareth Bale could be headed for a permanent return to Tottenham, El Nacional reports.
Real Madrid have offered Bale and Eden Hazard to Spurs but head coach Antonio Conte is not interested in his former Chelsea player.
However, Spurs may pounce for Bale at a reduced price before he is out of contract following the season.
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- Manchester United are interested in adding France defender Jules Kounde to replace Harry Maguire, says Todofichajes, which reports Sevilla will demand €80million (£68m) in return.
- Donny van de Beek wants out at United, according to the Metro, and Birmingham Live says Wolves will make a strong push to sign the Dutch midfielder, with Everton and Newcastle United also rumoured suitors.
- Fiorentina are willing to sell Dusan Vlahovic in January if an interested club like Manchester City or Tottenham will pay £70m for the Serbia international, says the Sun. Vlahovic has also been linked with Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, Juventus, Inter and Arsenal.
- Milan have joined Chelsea and Atletico in pursuit of 17-year-old Angers striker Mohamed-Ali Cho, according to L'Equipe.
- Barcelona will extend 17-year-old Spain sensation Gavi's contract for five years, reports Fabrizio Romano.
- Dean Smith's appointment at Norwich City is expected to become official Monday, says The Guardian.
Rafa Mir has completed a full transfer to Sevilla from Premier League side Wolves.
The Spain youth international had been attracting reported interest from LaLiga giants Barcelona and Atletico Madrid after starring for Spain at Tokyo 2020 but it is Sevilla who have won the race for his signature.
Mir has signed a six-year deal with Julen Lopetegui's side and will wear the number 12 shirt. He played in all of Spain's fixtures at the Games as La Roja reached the final where they were beaten by Brazil in the gold medal match.
The 24-year-old, who has been on the books at Wolves since 2018 but has spent each of the past three seasons out on loan, scored hat-trick in a 5-2 win over the Ivory Coast.
He had spent the previous season-and-a-half on loan at Huesca, scoring nine goals in a successful promotion push in 2019-20, before netting 13 times in LaLiga last term.
Mir is Sevilla's fifth signing of the transfer window, after Erik Lamela, Gonzalo Montiel, Marko Dmitrovic and Ludwig Augustinsson.
Manchester City's interest in signing Tottenham's Harry Kane is widely known but a deal appears no closer to materialising.
The 28-year-old forward was absent for the two sides' Premier League game on Sunday, when Spurs took the points.
City have reportedly bid up to £125 million to sign the England international, who reportedly requested a move late last season.
TOP STORY - KANE FRUSTRATED AS SPURS REJECT CITY BID
Kane has grown frustrated with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy and thrown down the gauntlet with a proposed move to Manchester City, reports The Telegraph.
According to the report, the England forward feels that Levy has not honoured their meeting at the end of the 2019-20 season when he requested to leave Spurs if they underachieved.
Kane is also frustrated that Levy's tactics have seen fans turned against him and that the chairman is also refusing to sell or even accept calls from City.
The report claims that City have submitted a fresh £125m bid for Kane, which Spurs have turned down.
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- El Larguero claims that Paris Saint-Germain director Leonardo has informed the players that Kylian Mbappe will stay to see out the remainder of his contract, due to expire in mid-2022, scuppering Real Madrid's hopes of signing him this month or in January.
- Samuel Umtiti, Martin Braithwaite and Miralem Pjanic are all on the chopping block at Barcelona, according to Diario AS, which claims the Catalans must sell three players this month to reduce their salary bill despite Lionel Messi's exit.
- Martin Odegaard is set to re-join Arsenal on a permanent deal from Real Madrid, says Fabrizio Romano. Talks are at their final stages with a deal until 2026.
- Tottenham are keen on Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma, reports Sky Sports. The Blues would demand a £25 million fee for the Frenchman.
- Internazionale are in talks to sign forward Marcus Thuram from Moenchengladbach, claims Sky Sport Italia.
- The Sun reports that Wolves are talking to Olympiacos about signing Portuguese defender Ruben Semedo on a one-year loan.
Everyone wants Lionel Messi but few have the resources to sign him.
Paris Saint-Germain appear to be strong favourites to land the Argentina international.
A deal could happen in the coming days.
TOP STORY - PSG CLOSE IN ON MESSI
PSG believe they are close to a deal to land Lionel Messi.
ESPN reports PSG have been in contact with Messi's father and agent Jorge "for some time" and are set to offer a three-year contract.
Sky Sport Italia says the deal is more likely to be for two years with an option to extend it to a third.
The ESPN report said adding Messi would make it more likely Kylian Mbappe would stay with the club rather than leave when he is out of contract next year, though it would end PSG's pursuit of Paul Pogba, partly due to FFP concerns.
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- Chelsea are set to pay about £95million for Romelu Lukaku as Inter prefer a cash-only deal, the Daily Mail reports. Calciomercato says the Blues offered Davide Zappacosta and Marcos Alonso in a swap deal but the Nerazzurri were not interested.
- Inter are looking within Serie A to replace their outgoing striker, Sky Italia says, with Atalanta's Duvan Zapata and Roma's Edin Dzeko their preferred options.
- Barcelona are trying to come to an agreement with Lille on midfielder Renato Sanches, Le10 Sport reports.
- Rafa Mir is set for a move from Wolves to Atletico Madrid, with Fabrizio Romano reporting personal terms have been agreed.
- West Ham have offered €14m (£12m) to Marseille for Duje Caleta-Car, L'Equipe reports, saying the Ligue 1 side are holding out for €20m (£17m).
Jack Grealish has been holidaying following Euro 2020, but it is now decision time on his club future.
Speculation has mounted over the past few days about a potential move to Manchester City.
City manager Pep Guardiola is a long-term admirer of Grealish, and a big-money bid has apparently been sanctioned by chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak.
TOP STORY - GREALISH SET FOR MONDAY TALKS WITH VILLA
Grealish has returned from his off-season holiday and will hold showdown talks with Aston Villa on Monday as a move to City looms, reports The Mirror.
Grealish has been linked with a £100million move to the English champions and is expected to inform Villa of his intention to leave.
Villa have reportedly offered Grealish a bumper new deal worth £200,000-a-week.
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- Tottenham have turned their attention to Wolves winger Adama Traore, according to the Daily Mail. Wolves reportedly want £45m for the Spain international, who would be re-acquainted with manager Nuno Espirito Santo. Goal claims Leeds United are also interested in Traore.
- Atletico Madrid are preparing for Kieran Trippier to exit the club as links with Manchester United intensify, with the Spanish champions lining up a move for Roma's Alessandro Florenzi, claims AS.
- Atletico are also pursuing Inter's Lautaro Martinez and have moved ahead of Arsenal in the race to sign the Argentina international, according to Tuttosport.
- Borussia Dortmund's Denmark international Thomas Delaney is being pursued Southampton, Norwich City and Crystal Palace, reports Ruhr Nachrichten.
- ABC claims Real Madrid will offer forward Karim Benzema a new one-year contract extension.
It seems clear that Paul Pogba will not remain at Old Trafford for the long haul.
Also clear: Paris Saint-Germain's interest in the France midfielder.
The big question that remains to be answered is the timing of a potential move for the Manchester United man.
TOP STORY – PSG WEIGH UP POGBA OPTIONS
Paris Saint-Germain are interested in a move for Paul Pogba but are still debating when to make their bid.
According to The Athletic, PSG have begun discussions to determine Pogba's interest in a move but have not made a formal approach to United.
While the report says a bid is expected within the next few weeks, it remains a possibility that PSG could wait until Pogba is out of contract in 2022 and deal with the player directly.
Jack Grealish has been linked with a move away from Aston Villa in the past, and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is a known long-term admirer.
Grealish is currently on holidays after Euro 2020, but talks of a huge transfer to City have not gone away.
Could the Premier League champions be about to make their move?
MAN CITY SET TO TABLE GREALISH BID
Manchester City are set to officially commence their move for Aston Villa's Jack Grealish with a £75m bid, claims the Daily Mail.
According to the report, Villa will hold out for £100m for their star England international.
Villa have no desire to sell Grealish for anything less and will know Guardiola is keen to secure his services.
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- Chelsea have opened talks with Sevilla about potentially signing French centre-back Jules Kounde, according to The Guardian. The 22-year-old has a release clause worth €80m (£68.4m).
- Arsenal have enquired with Inter about star forward Lautaro Martinez, reports the Telegraph. It is believed Inter may be willing to sell the Argentina striker for €90m (£77m).
- Eurosport reports that West Ham are interested in a move for Manchester United defender Phil Jones who has struggled with injury in recent times.
- Newcastle are closing in on a deal for Arsenal's Joe Willock, and it could be finalised within the next 48 hours after his loan stint last season, claims Mail Online.
- Liverpool may sign Wolves' Spanish winger Adama Traore in a cut-price £30m deal, according to the Star.
Manchester City's search to replace Sergio Aguero is well known.
Spanish reports have linked Pep Guardiola’s side with Barcelona's Antoine Griezmann.
So, could City - who won the Premier League but lost the Champions League final to Chelsea – be set to bring in the France international? Possibly not...
TOP STORY – GRIEZMANN NOT ON CITY RADAR
Manchester City are ready to ramp up their move for a new striker during the transfer window but will not pursue Barcelona forward Griezmann, claims The Sun.
Pep Guardiola's side will instead set their sights on Tottenham's Harry Kane, while Borussia Dortmund's Erling Haaland is another possibility.
The Sun's report denies Spanish links between City and Frenchman Griezmann, with Barcelona understood to be keen to reduce their wage bill to free up funds to re-sign Lionel Messi.
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- The Daily Mail reports that Atletico Madrid's signing of midfielder Rodrigo De Paul from Udinese will pave the way for Liverpool's proposed move to sign Saul Niguez. De Paul's arrival means Atleti are free to sell him off, with the Reds and Barcelona reportedly interested.
- Juventus are homing in on a transfer for Manchester City's Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus, while they are also keen on bringing back Moise Kean to Turin, according to Tuttosport.
- Manchester United are edging closer to agreeing terms with French defender and long-term target Raphael Varane for a move from Real Madrid, reports the Mail.
- Jadon Sancho's move from Borussia Dortmund to Manchester United will be confirmed this week with a medical before his post-Euro 2020 holiday, claims The Sun.
- Fabrizio Romano claims that Wolves goalkeeper Rui Patricio will become Jose Mourinho's first signing at Roma imminently.
Paul Pogba's future at Manchester United has drawn speculation.
The France international has one year left on his United contract and is yet to re-sign with the Red Devils.
The 2018 World Cup winner has numerous big-spending admirers and impressed at Euro 2020.
TOP STORY - PSG PLOT CUT-PRICE POGBA DEAL
Paris Saint-Germain are lining up Manchester United's French mdifielder Paul Pogba for a cut-price £50million (€58m) deal, claims the Daily Star.
Big-spending PSG have already landed Achraf Hakimi and Georginio Wijnaldum this off-season and will need to sell players to fund the deal.
L'Equipe reports PSG are confident they can land Pogba on a cut-price deal given his contract status.
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- Denmark's Euro 2020 star Mikkel Damsgaard is set for a Premier League switch this off-season with interest from Tottenham, Liverpool, Leeds and Leicester City reports HITC. However, Gazzetta dello Sport claims Sampdoria will not sell the Danish talent for less than €40 million (£34m).
- Atalanta want €60million (£52m) for Manchester United target Cristian Romero, who has also been linked with Tottenham and Barcelona according to Calciomercato.
- Sport claims Philippe Coutinho will leave Barcelona this off-season, with Leicester City, Inter and Milan among the top contenders to sign him.
- Football Insider reports that Liverpool have approached Wolves about Spain winger Adama Traore.
- New Everton manager Rafa Benitez wants to sign Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet, reports Fichajes.
- Hector Bellerin is ready to leave Arsenal to join Italian champions Inter, claims FourFourTwo.
- Tottenham are mulling over a move for Wolfsburg defender Maxence Lacroix according to The Boot Room.
Sergio Ramos' Real Madrid contract is due to officially expire on June 30.
The 35-year-old defender has been with Los Blancos since 2005.
There appears to be no shortage of suitors lining up for Ramos' signature.
TOP STORY – RAMOS WEIGHING UP POWERHOUSE TRIO
European heavyweights Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich have all approached Sergio Ramos about a potential move, ESPN reported.
Ramos, who will leave Madrid as a free agent this off-season, is said to be assessing the interest.
Family considerations are a big part of Ramos' decision-making, while it is claimed City could offer him a two-year deal.
ROUND-UP
- Jose Mourinho's new club Roma are closing in on a deal to sign Wolves' Portuguese goalkeeper Rui Patricio , reports Sky Sports.
- Arsenal target Aaron Ramsey has opted to stay with Juventus following the appointment of Massimiliano Allegri, claims The Sun.
- Uruguayan prospect Martin Satriano is attracting attention from Premier League clubs Arsenal , Everton and Tottenham , claims the Daily Mail. Satriano is currently on the books of Inter.
- Turkey international Merih Demiral wants to leave Juventus but the Serie A club have set an asking price of €40million (£34m), according to Calciomercato.
- Chelsea are close to agreeing a loan deal with Norwich City for Billy Gilmour , reports Sky Sports.
European champions Chelsea and French powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain have both been in hot pursuit of Achraf Hakimi.
Morocco international Hakimi, 22, helped Inter win the Serie A title.
The former Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid full-back is a star on the rise.
TOP STORY – HAKIMI AGREES TO CHELSEA MOVE
Chelsea appear to have won the race for Inter defender Hakimi after he "verbally agreed" to join the European champions, according to Calcio in Pillole journalist Ekrem Konur.
Konur claims Inter want £43million (€50m) and full-back Marcos Alonso from Chelsea as part of the deal.
Footmercato reports PSG will table a second bid for Hakimi worth €70m.
ROUND-UP
- Manchester United have made their move for Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane with a £50m (€58m) bid for the French defender, claims the Manchester Evening News. It is alleged Madrid want £80m (€93m) for Varane.
- Roma will turn their attention to Aston Villa's Brazilian midfielder Douglas Luiz should they fail to sign Arsenal's Granit Xhaka, claims Gazzetta dello Sport.
- Football Insider reports Everton are keen to pursue Wolves defender Conor Coady.
- Wolves are weighing up a move for ex-Chelsea forward Diego Costa , who is a free agent, according to UOL.
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