Douglas Luiz is willing to return to the Premier League less than seven months after his departure from Aston Villa, talkSPORT understands.
And the Brazilian isn’t short of interest, with two clubs in the English top-flight keeping tabs on his current situation in Turin.
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Luiz hasn’t had a happy time in Italy since he left Aston VillaCredit: Getty
Luiz joined Serie A giants Juventus from Villa last June for a cool £42.3million, with Samuel Iling-Junior and Enzo Barrenechea moving in the opposite direction.
However, Luiz’s transfer has not gone to plan.
Of the 26-year-old’s 16 appearances across all competitions this term, just three of them have been starts.
Juventus boss Thiago Motta has instead preferred a midfield pivot of Manuel Locatelli and Khephren Thuram while Teun Koopmeiners operates as the attacking midfielder.
As a result of his lack of game time, talkSPORT understands Villa and Manchester City are open to offering Luiz an exit route.
Speaking on talkSPORT Breakfast, chief football correspondent Alex Crook shed light on the transfer situation surrounding the Brazilian.
“He’s (Luiz) keen to come back to the Premier League,” Crook said.
“I think his old club, Aston Villa, are monitoring the situation.”
Crook added he checked some time ago whether City, who had Luiz on their books before selling him to Villa in 2019, were in the market for him.
The Premier League champions played down talk of a move, but Crook revealed the situation has changed.
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Luiz left Villa last summer, but could return to the club in a shock January switchCredit: Getty
“Since then, I have been told on good authority they are looking for a defensive midfielder,” Crook said.
Crook added: “I think it’s that midfield area Pep Guardiola himself admitted to me after they drew at Brentford that it’s a problem for them.
“If it’s an easy deal to do, then I can see that City would be interested. Certainly I think it’s one to keep an eye on.”
City have been in desperate need of defensive midfield reinforcements since Ballon d’Or winner Rodri tore his ACL against Arsenal earlier this season.
With the Spaniard gone for the season, Guardiola has had to rely on Mateo Kovacic as his primary option at the base of midfield.
Ilkay Gundogan is also on City’s books, but at age 34, the German is not the phenom he once was.
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Guardiola is keen to bring in a defensive midfielder in JanuaryCredit: Getty
Given City are still competing on three fronts this season, Guardiola is under no illusion he needs some fresh faces.
City have already made a big splash in the January window, as talkSPORT understands they are closing in on an agreement with Eintracht Frankfurt for forward Omar Marmoush.
Back in the top four, back in the old routine, Manchester City looked back to their old selves.
But this six-goal romp also said plenty about why Ipswich Town risk heading back to the Championship. There was a naivety and unexpected meekness to Ipswich’s performance that contrasted with the energy and expertise of City’s six-goal display.
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This was much more like it from the reigning Premier League champions in what’s been a tough season for themCredit: AFP
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They weren’t half helped by Ipswich’s naive tactics thoughCredit: Getty
Phil Foden is certainly back in form. He was man of the match, starting on the right but pushing inside as a No.10 behind Erling Haaland, scoring twice and assisting another.
With five goals in his last three Premier League games, Foden is hitting his stride after a slow start to the season affected by illness and injury, and perhaps fatigue following a gruelling 69-game 2023/24 for City and England.
This has been a strange season for City, full of doubts and defeats (nine in 32 all competitions).
It has been depicted as a full-blown crisis when really it was simply a lengthy dip in form, partly triggered by the absence of the talismanic Rodri.
City have too many good players like Foden, Haaland, Jeremy Doku, Ruben Dias, and Kevin De Bruyne, who ran the first half at 33 years old. They have too much wealth to reinvest in the squad, and recruits are arriving fast.
If City are in crisis, then many other clubs are, too.
City will really be plunged into crisis only if found to have breached Premier League financial rules, and they have consistently voiced their confidence they will be cleared.
If the state of City’s woes has been overplayed then they will still have welcomed this thumping win. There was an energy to City missing too often this season.
Maybe Haaland’s show of faith in the team and the club by signing that nine-and-a-half-year contract that spread confidence in the future.
Maybe it was the prospect of new signings in centre-backs Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis, as well as forward Omar Marmoush and potentially Douglas Luiz, their old midfielder, that focused some minds.
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Pep Guardiola’s men have endured plenty of setbacks of late but this performance suggests the future looks brightCredit: Getty
No place is safe. They have to deliver or others will step in.
Maybe they are relishing the reminder of their powerful financial muscle and enhanced capabilities of challenging again.
Life was certainly made far easier by their opponents’ approach. Ipswich were far too respectful of the champions, standing off too often.
They were far too risky with possession in their defensive third; City pressed and turned the ball over and went for the jugular.
Or Ipswich were loose in possession, and the jugular was exposed. This was Farmageddon.
City’s control was enhanced by Dias playing his first game since December 15.
He’s more than a very good defender who reads danger early and confronts it expertly. Dias is vocal, a leader of the back-line, and an organiser supreme. He demands high standards on and off the field.
Dias dealt well with Liam Delap, and the game probably confirmed why Ederson should be City’s first-choice keeper.
City were so in control that Pep Guardiola even made substitutions early, which he rarely does, and all five, which he almost never does.
Jack Grealish, James McAtee and Divin Mubama came on after 62 minutes for Haaland, Foden and De Bruyne.
Rico Lewis and Nico O’Reilly replaced Manuel Akanji and Kovacic ten minutes later. City’s strength in depth will soon be deepened further by arrivals. They finished with four young talents on the field. Crisis, what crisis?
Ipswich started promisingly, Jack Clarke went on a great run, Delap threatened, but then City took over.
talkSPORT studio left shocked over Erling Haaland’s new mega Manchester City deal
Foden’s first came after 27 minutes with a neat finish following good approach work from Doku and De Bruyne: 0-1. City were flying down the left, Doku playing some of the most effective football of his 65 games for the club.
City added a second within three minutes. Doku again powered forward, Foden touched the ball right to Mateo Kovacic, who placed his shot past Christian Walton: 0-2.
City didn’t ease up. Doku again went down the left, De Bruyne crossed, and Foden played the poacher again: 0-3.
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Foden has six Premier League goals this season, two of them coming against IpswichCredit: Getty
City were late appearing for the second half, but when they arrived they merely deepened Ipswich’s pain. Within four minutes, Doku got the goal his industry and invention deserved, his effort deflecting in off Dara O’Shea: 0-4.
City were presented with their fifth after 57 minutes. Clarke played a crossfield ball blind, Doku picked it off, and Haaland’s left foot despatched it firmly past Walton: 0-5.
Guardiola began making his changes, and his withdrawal of a certain celebrated Belgian was marked by loud tributes from the away contingent of ‘Oh Kevin De Bruyne’.
He’s 33 and has a decision to make on his future. De Bruyne’s contract expires this summer and the Saudi Pro League or MLS provide options. But on this form – and with this fitness – De Bruyne remains elite level. It’s simply about staying fit for De Bruyne.
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De Bruyne is getting good momentum too having provided four assists in his last three Premier League outingsCredit: AFP
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Haaland celebrated his massive new contract with City’s fifth and his 17th goal of the seasonCredit: Getty
Guardiola tweaked the team, Doku went right, Grealish arrived on the left, and it was good to see Mubama getting a run-out.
Formerly of West Ham, the 20-year-old went to the same school as Jermain Defoe. He’s a completely different type of striker, more physical, and occupied Ipswich’s defenders busily.
Mubama’s presence distracted Ipswich with 21 minutes remaining, allowing McAtee to ghost through Town’s defence, pointing exactly where he wanted Kovacic to deliver the ball.
It duly arrived and McAtee elegantly guided it with his head over Walton: 0-6.
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McAtee, who scored a hat-trick in City’s FA Cup win last weekend, rounded off the win with City’s final goal of the gameCredit: Getty
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Guardiola gave a number of City’s academy graduates a run-outCredit: Getty
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Being in the top four and still in the FA Cup and Champions League doesn’t seem like much of a crisisCredit: Getty
Crisis? What crisis? City still have to maintain this against far superior foe, starting against Paris St-Germain on Wednesday.
Manchester City fans could not resist poking fun at Manchester United during their latest win.
The Premier League champions cruised to a 6-0 thrashing of Ipswich on Sunday afternoon.
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City’s fans took aim at their bitter rivals as they thrashed IpswichCredit: Getty
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Inner-city rivals United were beaten by Brighton earlier on SundayCredit: Getty
Phil Foden scored twice, while goals from Mateo Kovacic, Jeremy Doku, Erling Haaland and James McAtee helped the visitors maintain their upturn in form.
It is the 13th time City have scored six or more goals in the Premier League under Pep Guardiola.
That tally draws the Spaniard level with Arsene Wenger at Arsenal and he is now just one behind Sir Alex Ferguson’s record as United boss.
City’s comfortable victory came just a couple of hours after another defeat for their bitter rivals.
With City already in control at Portman Road shortly after the start of the second half, the travelling fans could be heard taking aim at the Red Devils.
Chants of ‘you’re going down with United’ were sang towards the hosts after Doku stroked in a fourth for his side.
Meanwhile, ‘City’s staying up’ also rang around the away end as supporters made light of their own struggles this term.
Guardiola’s side endured a run of one win in 13 matches across all competitions earlier in the campaign.
However, City’s latest win has extended their unbeaten run to six and lifted the champions back into the top four.
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City cruised to a 6-0 win to the delight of their travelling fansCredit: Getty
There is no such good fortune for United, though, although a first relegation since 1974 remains unlikely.
The defeat to Brighton leaves the Red Devils 13th in the table after a tenth loss from 22 league matches.
With a ten-point gap to the bottom three, however, they are closer to the drop zone than the top four, which is 12 points away from their grasp.
As four City, their win sees them leapfrog Newcastle into fourth place on goal difference.
The champions remain 12 points adrift of league leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand on those below them.
Both City and United are in European action in midweek before their attention returns to the Premier League.
Darts World Champion Luke Littler serenaded by the Manchester United fans at Old Trafford as he shows off his trophy
The Red Devils host Rangers in the Europa League on Thursday night.
Beforehand, City travel to France to face Paris Saint-Germain in their penultimate Champions League league phase fixture on Wednesday.
With four months left to play, this season’s Premier League title race is far from decided… surely?
Many fans may believe that this is very much the case, but Thomas Frank believes there is one clear winner for the crown.
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Two Nunez goals boosted Liverpool’s title hopesCredit: AFP
Liverpool travelled to Frank’s Brentford on Saturday and won 2-0 in dramatic fashion thanks to their substitute hero Darwin Nunez.
He netted in the first and third minutes of stoppage-time to hand a massive boost to the Reds’ title credentials.
A draw was an increasingly likely prospect as the minutes ticked down but Liverpool held firm to leave west London with the three points.
Arne Slot‘s side have lost just once in the league all season and left rivals including Manchester City and Arsenal playing catch-up.
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Given their dominance so far, Frank believes that Liverpool will be the ones who lift the coveted Premier League trophy in May.
“I think we did a lot of things right against a fantastic Liverpool team that I think is very complete is many ways,” he told reporters after.
“Probably the best team in the world right now. They are big favourites to win the Premier League, in my opinion.
“We just faced [Manchester] City, Arsenal and now Liverpool in close succession and I think they, right now, are a level above the two others all the way around.”
“They are a fantastic team,” he later added, before also claiming: “I’m convinced they will win the title.”
Liverpool’s win put them seven points clear of Arsenal, who had the chance to reduce this gap to four against Aston Villa in the evening.
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Liverpool remain in control of the title race ahead of City and ArsenalCredit: Getty
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Frank can’t see anyone but the Reds winningCredit: Getty
However, despite earning a two-goal lead at the Emirates Stadium, they had to settle for a 2-2 draw and therefore earn just one point.
Although it means Liverpool are six clear of the Gunners, they can go even further and extend this to nine thanks to their game in hand.
The Merseyside derby against Everton at Goodison Park last month was postponed due to Storm Darragh.
It has now been rescheduled for February 12, by which time Liverpool could be even further in front in the title race.
Reigning champions City may already be out of the question as they sit in eighth and 15 points behind the Reds.
Champions League, Carabao Cup and FA Cup fixtures will coincide with their league campaign in the coming weeks.
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Liverpool will be delighted with their six-point lead and game in hand
However, Liverpool have so far shown that they not only have the quality to win the title, but also the resilience to overcome their tests.
Frank saw that on display on Saturday as his team were the latest to be swept aside by the Slot revolution.
Pep Guardiola says he offered praise for Stefan Ortega despite screaming at him after Manchester City surrendered a two-goal at Brentford.
Phil Foden scored two goals in the second half in west London to set the reigning Premier League champions on course for three points.
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Christian Norgaard’s late goal saw City crumble at BrentfordCredit: Getty
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Guardiola appeared to be raging with OrtegaCredit: @OptusSport X
However, Yoane Wissa reduced the deficit late on before Christian Norgaard levelled the scoring in stoppage-time.
City goalkeeper Ortega got a hand onto the Brentford man’s header but was unable to keep it out of his goal as the points were shared.
The 32-year-old, who filled in for the benched Ederson, appeared to be on the receiving end of a frustrated rant from Guardiola.
Footage shows the City boss shouting and screaming at Ortega at the full-time whistle.
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Guardiola screamed and then hugged the goalkeeper three times in what was a contrast of emotions.
One angle shows the Spaniard looking particularly incensed but he and Ortega calmly walked away from each other at the end.
However when speaking afterwards, Guardiola revealed what he said to Ortega and insisted it was praise: “[Josko Gvardiol] played incredible! I was satisfied! The same with [Ortega].
“I said how good he played, the actions with the ball, the pass to Erling [Haaland], how happy and satisfied I am, especially with these two players and what they have done…”
After a dismal run of form towards the end of 2024, City appeared to turn a corner with recent results thanks to three-conservative wins.
However, their attempts to climb further up the Premier League table have taken another hit with the result at Brentford.
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Guardiola did also hug the goalkeeper despite his frustrationCredit: @OptusSport X
A win would have taken them fifth and level on points with Arsenal, who have a superior goal difference.
But they will now rue their late mistakes away at the Bees, with the draw denting their title defence hopes even further.
Foden offered an explanation for their collapse when he told TNT Sports after: “We just looked tired at the end, the last 20, 30 minutes. We looked leggy and they put the pressure on and put longer balls into the box.
“We didn’t cope with the physicality at the end. It’s one of the toughest places to come and they give you different challenges.
“I was happy with the performance up until we went 1-0 up and then after that we let our performance slip and gave the ball away. It’s something to learn from. They gave us a challenge today and we did the best we could.”
City will hope to return to winning ways in the Premier League on Sunday then they travel to Ipswich Town.
Graham Potter believes Jarrod Bowen is ahead of schedule in his return from injury at West Ham.
The Hammers captain suffered a fractured foot in their 5-0 defeat to Liverpool at the end of 2024.
There were initial fears that Bowen could sidelined for a lengthy period of time, but there appears to be positivity over his recovery.
On Monday, Potter said: “I think if you speak to Jarrod, he will try to tell you he’s ahead of schedule, for sure.
“He’s doing everything he can to get on the pitch as soon as possible. We just need to make sure it’s in a safe way and it’s [in] a good way for him, because we want to get him back and we want him to stay back.
“But you know Jarrod, he wants to be out there, he wants to play and we’re trying to pull the reins on him rather than the other way around. He’s fantastic to have around the place.”
Potter added: “He’s just champing at the bit and he wants to get out and help. But he just has to take his medicine at the moment and just do his rehab properly.
“He was out jogging today with the individual physio, so it’s positive. I think if I’m looking at it now, Jarrod will be ahead of schedule rather than behind schedule.
“It’s not a rocket scientist prediction, that is it really.”
Manchester City are closing in on an agreement with Eintracht Frankfurt for forward Omar Marmoush, talkSPORT understands.
The two clubs held advanced talks on Saturday and there is confidence that the deal could go through next week.
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City are close to signing Marmoush from FrankfurtCredit: Getty
Frankfurt are looking for a total package worth north of £60million for the Egypt international.
Marmoush scored in their 1-0 win over FC St Pauli on Saturday to extend his Bundesliga goal tally to 14 for the season.
This is one behind Harry Kane, who has netted 15 for Bayern Munich and sits top of the scoring charts in Germany.
Marmoush is set to be one of two new arrivals at City as they have also agreed a deal worth £33m plus add-ons for Abdukodir Khusanov.
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The 20-year-old centre-back will join from Lens and sign a four-and-a-half year contract with the option of another 12 months.
City have been missing Ruben Dias and John Stones in the centre of defence recently, with both players nursing injuries.
They could be without another experienced player this month as Pep Guardiola revealed that Kyle Walker has asked to leave the club.
“He said to the club two days ago that he wants to explore going abroad,” he told talkSPORT after their 8-0 FA Cup win over Salford City. “He wants to finish his career in another place.
“He asked two years ago and I tried to convince him to commit to stay and he signed a contract and he was really important and won the Premier League last season as a captain.
“Now he’s saying that he would like to go to another country in this transfer window.
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Marmoush is the second highest scorer in the Bundesliga this seasonCredit: Getty
“He’s a player who when he’s fit and he’s focused with the attitude as a player he can play one, two, three more years. I’ve never seen a physical condition like he has in my life.
“All the success we’ve had in the eight years belongs a huge part to him and the guys almost had 100 games with the England national team.
“I don’t need to tell you how important he’s been but now he’s said to the club that he wants another experience – to explore was the word – and we will see what happens.”
City will hope their heavy January spending inspires an upturn in form during the second half of the season.
Their Premier League title hopes hang by a thread as they are sixth in the table and 12 points behind leaders Liverpool.
Kyle Walker is the perfect Trent Alexander-Arnold replacement – Liverpool should make a move for the Manchester City star this month.
That is the view of ex-Reds striker Dean Saunders, who has urged Arne Slot to make a raid on their Premier League rivals.
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City right-back Walker is keen to leave the Etihad before the winter window slams shutCredit: Getty
It comes amid City boss Pep Guardiola revealing that the 34-year-old has asked to leave the Etihad in the January transfer window to finish his career abroad.
talkSPORT understands that the defender, who was left out of the City squad that beat Salford City 8-0 in the FA Cup third round, is a target for Saudi Pro League clubs who are able to offer the player a mega-money salary.
But Serie A giants AC Milan are also keen to secure Walker’s services in a shock swoop.
The Italian outfit also remain keen on bringing in Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford as they look to expand their ever-growing collecting of Three Lions stars.
Currently, Fikayo Tomori, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Tammy Abraham are all on the books at the San Siro.
However as it stands, there has been no direct talks between Milan and City regarding a move for Walker.
While many believe that the ex-Tottenham man is no longer at the standard to play Premier League football, talkSPORT presenter Saunders is of the opinion that he remains just as good as ever.
Speaking on the FA Cup GameDay Phone-In alongside former Chelsea defender Jason Cundy, Saunders claimed Walker would be the ideal replacement for Real Madrid target Alexander-Arnold.
Despite Walker pushing for a move away from England, Saunders said: “Do you want me to chuck a spanner in the works?
“So it looks like Trent is leaving, why don’t Liverpool sign him?
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Walker is regarded as one of the Premier League’s best-ever right-backsCredit: Getty
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Walker has won 17 trophies at the Etihad since joining from Tottenham in 2017
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Saunders believes Liverpool should sign Walker – a view not shared by CundyCredit: talkSPORT
“There you go, he’d be a good signing for Liverpool if Trent goes.
“I know they’ve got the young kid [Conor Bradley] coming through…”
Interjecting, an almost speechless Cundy replied: “Deano, why have you done that? Why have you thrown that in?”
Explaining himself, Saunders stated: “By the way, he’s still quick – and if Trent is leaving…”
Later in the show, Saunders doubled down on his view, before then pointing he would be starter at each of City’s ‘Top Six’ rivals.
He remarked: “He’d get in Spurs’ team, he’d get in Liverpool’s team.
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Walker has come in for criticism from fans and pundits over his performances this seasonCredit: Getty
“He’d get in Man United’s team, he’d get in Chelsea’s team.
“Would he get in Arsenal’s team? He’d get in Arsenal’s team. He’s better than [Ben] White!”
Saunders then posed the question whether Saudi Arabia would be a good move for Walker, to which Cundy insisted he can still do a job in Europe.
He said: “Of course he could [make switch to Saudi Arabia], I just don’t think he is ready yet.
“If he gets offered £600,000-a-week to go and play in Saudi, I’m not going to criticise him, that to me makes sense.
“But if I’m a club in Italy or in Spain watching Kyle Walker… the pace of the English game, it’s the quickest league in the world.
“Yes, he’s lost a yard of pace, but Kyle Walker’s pace is still a match for most in this league.
“I think the fact that he [Guardiola] said he wants to go abroad, he’s done it in England, he’s won everything there is to win, go and do something abroad.
“I get that, I see that, that shows bravery that he wants to go abroad and prove himself.”
Khusanov is set to become City’s first signing of the transfer windowCredit: Getty
Khusanov will now undergo a medical ahead of signing a four-and-a-half year contract with the option of an extra year in what will undoubtedly be the biggest deal of the January window so far.
The Uzbekistan international was previously a target for Tottenham but will now join their Premier League rivals this month instead.
He is set to be City’s first signing of the January transfer window and will be a welcome boost given their injuries in defence.
John Stones is currently nursing a foot injury whilst Ruben Dias is dealing with a muscle problem.
Khusanov was a youth player for Uzbek club FC Bunyodkor before he moved to FC Energetik-BGU Minsk in Belarus.
He scored four goals in 37 appearances for the club to earn a transfer to France with Lens.
The defender became the first Uzbek player to ever feature in the French top flight when he made his debut in September 2023.
At international level, he has made 18 appearances for his country and featured at the AFC Asian Cup last year.
City could also be set to make another addition in January to help revive what has been an underwhelming season as defending champions.
Eintracht Frankfurt star Omar Marmoush is of interest to the club but talkSPORT understands they’ll need to pay £50million for him.
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The centre-back will help ease their problems in defenceCredit: Getty
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Marmoush could also be on his way to the Premier League championsCredit: Getty
Marmoush has netted 13 goals in the Bundesliga this season, which is one behind leading scorer Harry Kane of Bayern Munich.
Pep Guardiola chose not to comment on his potential arrival when he spoke to the media before their FA Cup clash against Salford City, live on talkSPORT.
“I was clear in my answer, I’m not going to talk,” he insisted.” He’s a player from another club, I’m not saying an answer.
“You can say in every single press conference to talk about the transfer window until the end, I’m not going to answer one question!
“In the past, the same happened. I was clear. You can try it any time you want, no problem at all, but you know my answer. It’s easy. No comment.”
Meanwhile, Frankfurt’s director of football Markus Krosche has previously commented on the club selling players.
Man City put on red alert as Eintracht Frankfurt’s asking price for Omar Marmoush revealed
“For us, we don’t want to lose so many key players,” Krosche said.
“I have to honestly say that no Eintracht player is unsellable, but we want to keep the team together.
“I talk about Marmoush after every game. But that’s a good thing. Omar gives our game an incredible amount.”
A Marmoush arrival for £50million would become the biggest deal of the January window so far as clubs strengthen for the final months of the season.
