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MANCITY AGREE DEAL TO SELL FERRAN TORRES TO BARCELONA FOR €55 MILLION

Manchester City have agreed a £46.7million (€55 million) fee with Barcelona for the sale of Ferran Torres, the PA news agency understands.

The 21-year-old Spain forward is now set to move to the Nou Camp when the transfer window formally opens in January.

The deal, which is subject to the agreement of personal terms, could also be worth a further £8.5million to City in add-ons.

With £5.9million of that contained in clauses likely to be activated, the Premier League champions feel the transfer represents good business for a player they signed for £20.9million last year.

City were not looking to sell, and nor is Torres thought to be unhappy at the Etihad Stadium, but he became keen on the move after learning of the Catalan giants’ interest.

Torres has scored 16 goals – including a hat-trick at Newcastle last season – in 43 appearances in all competitions for City since joining from Valencia in the summer of 2020.

He was signed primarily as a winger but has also impressed as a makeshift centre-forward in Pep Guardiola’s side.

He was part of the side that won the Premier League last season but has played just seven times this season after breaking a metatarsal while on international duty in October. He is expected to be sidelined until the new year.

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Manchester City score 500th Premier League goal under Guardiola in record time

Manchester City scored their 500th Premier League goal under Pep Guardiola in Tuesday’s clash with Leeds United.

Phil Foden put City ahead against Leeds at the Etihad Stadium as they reached the landmark figure in record time under a manager.

Foden made the eighth-minute breakthrough when he finished off from the edge of the penalty area after Rodri was beaten in a dash to the ball by Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier.

City required just 207 games to score the 500 goals, bettering the 234 games it took Liverpool to net that amount under Jurgen Klopp.

Next on that list is legendary Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson (265 games), followed by Arsenal great Arsene Wenger (271).

Sergio Aguero, who departed City at the end of last season, has scored the most goals for City during Guardiola’s five and a half year tenure with 82 to his name.

Raheem Sterling has been responsible for 76 of the goals, Gabriel Jesus 52, Kevin De Bruyne 37 and Ilkay Gundogan 31 among those to have netted 30 or more.

City’s highest-scoring season under Guardiola was in 2017-18 when finding the net 106 times.

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Kevin De Bruyne leads rout as Guardiola’s City dazzle

Kevin De Bruyne turned on the style with a brilliant double, and you could only marvel as Manchester City savaged Leeds 7-0 in the Premier League.

Long-time friends Pep Guardiola and Marcelo Bielsa watched with contrasting emotions from the touchline as City inflicted the biggest defeat Leeds have ever suffered in the competition.

Guardiola’s City were sensational, with Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Riyad Mahrez, John Stones and Nathan Ake joining De Bruyne on the scoresheet, City passing the 500-goal mark in the Premier League under their Spanish boss.

The pick of the goals was De Bruyne’s second and City’s fifth, as his land-to-air missile from 25 yards left Illan Meslier helpless, with City surging four points clear of Liverpool at the top of the table.

Foden made the eighth-minute breakthrough when he finished off from the edge of the penalty area after the rampaging Rodri was beaten in a dash to the ball by Leeds goalkeeper Meslier.

By that stage Bernardo Silva had already missed a sitter from in front of an open goal. Leeds were in disarray and trailed 2-0 inside 13 minutes when Grealish headed in Riyad Mahrez’s whipped cross from the right – his first headed goal in his Premier League career.

De Bruyne made it 3-0 in the 32nd minute, a classy finish on his left foot from Rodri’s throughball. Foden then shot fractionally wide of the right post, with Meslier beaten, before seeing another shot blocked by Luke Ayling, as City looked to boost their goal difference.

Mahrez gave City a fourth in the 49th minute, a deflection off Junior Firpo diverting the Algerian’s skidding shot wide of the unlucky Meslier and into the left corner.

Foden prodded in from Mahrez’s pass but was inches offside; however, a fifth City goal arrived emphatically in the 62nd minute when De Bruyne smashed high and handsome into the net from distance.

Stones lashed in the sixth and fellow defender Ake headed goal number seven as City outclassed despairing visitors.

Guardiola, whose team had scored 499 goals in 206 Premier League games during his reign leading up to this game, fielded essentially a front five here. Silva was the one who missed out on a goal, as the quintet swarmed a Leeds defence that had no answer to their collective quality.

In the 568th game of his club managerial career, Leeds boss Bielsa saw a team under his charge concede seven goals for the first time. City’s goal difference took a major boost, and they are now just two behind Liverpool in that regard.

Leeds pulled off one of the all-time opportunist smash-and-grabs in this game last season, scoring with their only two shots to snatch a 2-1 victory, winning despite the expected goals (xG) count favouring City by 2.2 to 0.1.

Yet Leeds had not won consecutive away league games against City since 1987, and this could be filed under ‘payback’. The hosts led the shot count 31-6, while Leeds had just 35.6 per cent of possession, by far their lowest share this season.

De Bruyne’s second of the night was his 20th Premier League goal to be scored from outside the penalty area – no player has scored more such goals in the competition since De Bruyne’s September 2015 City debut, with Harry Kane next in line with 19 for Tottenham.

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BERNARDO SILVA HITS BRACE AS MANCITY TAKE TOP SPOT WITH WATFORD WIN

Manchester City moved to the top of the Premier League as Bernardo Silva scored twice in a 3-1 victory over Watford at Vicarage Road.

City made the most of Chelsea’s defeat at West Ham earlier in the day with a seventh straight win in all competitions.

Silva struck twice either side of half-time to put the game firmly beyond the Hornets and climb back above Liverpool, who had won 1-0 at Wolves.

The in-form Portugal star weaved past two defenders before slotting the ball past goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann to add to City’s advantage following Raheem Sterling’s opener.

The 27-year-old then followed up his first-half strike with a clever curled effort into the top corner for his side’s third.

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GUARDIOLA VOWS NOT TO MANAGE ANOTHER ENGLISH CLUB

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has all but ruled out ever taking charge of another club in England.

The Spaniard is contracted at the Etihad Stadium until 2023 and could extend that, but expects to work elsewhere at some point in the future.

Although he has expressed an interest in international football, the 50-year-old admits he has no clear vision of where his long-term future lies.

One thing he is sure about, however, is that he cannot see himself being employed by another Premier League club and he has even hinted he would rather take on another role at City.

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss said: “I’ve said many times when we’ve finished our part here, for the pleasure to live in a European Championship, a World Cup, I would like to live it but I know it is not easy to find it because normally there are few positions.

“I think it is difficult for it to happen. I would like it but, at the same time, if it does not happen I will train a club. That is not a problem.

“In England, being here, I think I will always be at Man City. If I had to come back I would come back to Man City, if they want me. I don’t think I am going to train another club in England. I’m a part of this club.”

Despite that desire to lead a country to a major tournament, he is adamant that Gareth Southgate’s position as England manager is not something he has his eye on.

“Gareth has done an incredible job, reaching the final of the Euros and the semi-finals of the last World Cup,” said Guardiola ahead of Sunday’s home Premier League clash with West Ham.

“This is a huge success for English football. He has extended his contract and what I want is after that (for him) to extend for more years, if he is happy to do it.

“I am not here to take anyone’s position. It is not my target. As long as it is possible to be here, as much as my energy is there and my love for what I am doing is here, (I will be). After that I don’t know what is going to happen.”

Guardiola has revealed City could travel to Abu Dhabi, home of their owner Sheikh Mansour, for a warm-weather training camp in January.

For the first time since 2017 – in Guardiola’s first season in charge – City will not be involved in the Carabao Cup semi-finals and could have a suitable gap in their schedule.

Guardiola said: “Maybe it is possible. Just being together there – getting out a bit, changing the routine, training in good weather conditions and a good environment, being close to our chairman, spending time together, good dinners together, pool, sun.

“We are not going for a holiday, but to work. Rather than stay here, do it there.”

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MANCHESTER CITY COME FROM BEHIND TO BEAT PSG TO REACH LAST 16

Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus struck as Manchester City came from behind to sink Paris St Germain 2-1 and reach the Champions League last 16.

The Premier League champions produced a superb response after falling behind to a goal from Kylian Mbappe against the run of play early in the second half at the Etihad Stadium.

Sterling levelled just after the hour and substitute Jesus popped up to claim a winner 14 minutes from time that also confirmed City as winners of Group A.

It was a disappointing night in Manchester for PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino in a week that has seen him heavily linked with the managerial vacancy across the city at United.

Yet City’s victory was thoroughly deserved as, despite lacking three of their most inventive players in Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish and Phil Foden, they produced an energetic and dominant display.

PSG’s much-vaunted forward trio of Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar were also denied the chance to wreak havoc by City’s disciplined defence.

There was still some consolation for PSG, however, with Leipzig’s victory over Club Brugge meaning the French side would still go through.

City had early opportunities when Rodri’s powerful header was cleared off the line by Presnel Kimpembe and Riyad Mahrez fired into the side-netting.

Mahrez went even closer with a curling effort that looked destined for the top corner but Achraf Hakimi did brilliantly to get back and divert the ball over the crossbar.

Ander Herrera almost turned the ball into his own net as he stretched to intercept a Bernardo Silva cross but Keylor Navas saved, as he did again shortly afterwards to keep out another Mahrez attempt.

As the first half drew to a close, City were completely dominant and at their fluid best but the ball would still not go in. Ilkay Gundogan hit a post, although a flag suggested it may not have counted.

PSG were restricted to occasional counter-attacks but Neymar and Nuno Mendes both failed to get any power behind shots.

Mbappe, who overcame a fitness test to start, had their clearest chance but leant back and blazed over after being played through by Neymar.

The World Cup-winning striker made amends for that miss five minutes into the second half as the visitors suddenly burst into life.

Messi and Neymar were both involved in a slick attack but a deflection off a City defender presented Mbappe with a chance he did not waste, firing through Ederson’s legs.

PSG immediately went looking for more but Ruben Dias blocked from Messi and another promising attack was also snuffed out.

City manager Pep Guardiola responded by sending on Jesus for Oleksandr Zinchenko and the hosts were soon back in the ascendancy with Navas sticking out a glove to deny Mahrez.

Pressure paid off just after the hour as Rodri’s deep cross into the box was cut back by Kyle Walker and Sterling poked home after a deflection off Jesus.

PSG almost hit back as Neymar played a clever one-two with Angel Di Maria but shot wide.

City made them pay for that miss by claiming the lead 14 minutes from time.
Mahrez picked out Silva with a deep ball into the box and the Portuguese neatly laid off for Jesus to turn home first time.

It was enough to ensure City, last season’s runners-up, will be in the knockout stages for a ninth successive year.

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SUPERB RODRI STRIKE HELPS CITY RETURN TO SECOND

Raheem Sterling, Rodri and Bernardo Silva were all on target as Manchester City beat Everton to leapfrog Liverpool into second in the table.

City dominated the opening 45 minutes at the Etihad Stadium, Bernardo being denied one-on-one and Ilkay Gundogan heading on to the bar after 27 minutes.

Sterling eventually broke the deadlock a minute before the interval, latching onto Joao Cancelo’s exquisite outside-of-the boot pass to fire past Jordan Pickford on the half-volley on his 300th Premier League appearance.

Rodri doubled their lead 10 minutes after the break with a wonderful strike, driving the ball powerfully into the top-left corner from 25 yards out.

Pickford denied Sterling his second before Bernardo wrapped up the victory with a close-range finish.

Back-to-back victories take City’s points tally to 26, three fewer than leaders Chelsea.

Everton are 11th with 15 points

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Real boost for City and Chelsea in Haaland race

Manchester City and Chelsea have been handed a huge boost in the race to sign Erling Haaland.

Spanish giants Real Madrid have reportedly accepted the Norwegian is destined to move to the Premier League.

Haaland, 21, has a £64million release clause that comes into play at the end of the season.

And with Europe’s biggest clubs all interested in signing him, Borussia Dortmund expect to lose their star striker.

But The Sun say the feeling at the Bernabeu is Haaland will likely end up playing English football.

Real are clear favourites to sign Kylian Mbappe on a free when his contract at Paris Saint-Germain expires next year. 

But their dream of pairing the two hottest young stars in football alongside each other in the Spanish capital appears to be over.

And that will be music to the ears of the bigwigs at the Etihad, Stamford Bridge and maybe even Old Trafford.

Like City and Chelsea, Manchester United have previously been linked with a move for Haaland.

Pep Guardiola heaped praise on the forward before the Citizens faced Dortmund in the Champions League quarter-finals last season.

He said: “To score that number of goals at his age is not easy. The numbers speak for themselves.

“When that happens it’s because he can score with the right, the left, via counter-attacks, in the box. He’s a fantastic striker, everyone knows it.”

Haaland has 13 goals in 10 games this season but has missed time with injuries and is expected to remain on the sidelines until next month, 

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MAN CITY’S MENDY APPEARS IN COURT OVER NEW RAPE ALLEGATIONS

Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy has appeared in court charged with two more counts of rape.

Mendy (27) now faces a total of six allegations of rape and one of sexual assault after initially being charged with five offences in August.

The French international has been in custody since August after a number of bail applications were refused by judges.

He appeared by video-link at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday afternoon charged with two further counts of rape.

During the five-minute hearing, which was delayed due to technical issues, Mendy, who appeared wearing a cream-coloured sweatshirt, spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth.

The court clerk told the hearing that Mendy was charged with two counts of rape, which are alleged to have taken place in Macclesfield in July and August this year.

The footballer was initially charged on August 26 with three counts of rape relating to an alleged incident in October 2020, one count of raping a woman in August this year and the sexual assault of a woman in early January 2021.

Those alleged offences relate to four women over the age of 16 and are alleged to have taken place between October 2020 and August 2021 at his home address on Withinlee Road, in Prestbury, Cheshire.

Mendy appeared alongside his co-accused, Louis Saha Matturie (40), who has also been charged with two additional counts of rape and one of sexual assault.

The court heard that Matturie, of Eccles, Greater Manchester, is accused of sexually touching a woman in Sheffield in 2016, raping a woman in March this year and another count of rape in Macclesfield in July.

He now faces six counts of rape in total and one of sexual assault.

District Judge Margaret McCormack told the defendants: “The charges that you face will be sent to Chester Crown Court and you will appear there tomorrow morning and that’s to tie in with existing matters.”

No application for bail was made at Wednesday’s hearing. Both men are due to go on trial on January 24, 2022.

Mendy has played for Manchester City since 2017, when he joined from Monaco for a reported £52 million.

He was suspended by the club after being charged by police, pending an investigation.

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DOMINANT MANCITY CLAIM DERBY VICTORY WITH WIN AT OLD TRAFFORD

Manchester City delivered a dominant performance as an Eric Bailly own goal and a Bernardo Silva strike earned the champions their first Manchester derby victory in five Premier League attempts over their local rivals at Old Trafford.

Pep Guardiola’s side went ahead on seven minutes when Bailly diverted Joao Cancelo’s cross into his own net.

United briefly rallied when Cristiano Ronaldo’s shot was saved by Ederson and Mason Greenwood scuffed the rebound wide.

David De Gea made five big saves in the first half to deny Gabriel Jesus, Kevin De Bruyne, Cancelo, twice, and a Victor Lindelof deflection before City beat the Spaniard’s resistance again on the stroke of half-time.

Cancelo set up the second goal when his cross was turned in at the far post by Bernardo, who sneaked in at the far post behind a hesitant Luke Shaw.

The hosts improved in the second half but also lost Shaw to a head injury.

City, who move second with 23 points, almost scored again late on as Phil Foden clipped a post.

A fourth consecutive home match without a win drops United down to sixth with 17 points