The 22-year-old centre back arrived at the Bernabeu last summer in a £44million move from Porto, but has played just 13 games all season and has played a lot out of position at Real Madrid.

According to The Times, contingency plans to bring the beautiful game back to life is becoming a reality, with government ministers recognising that an injection of positivity and hope is sorely needed.

City Football Group (CFG) have been in negotiations with the Ligue 2 outfit about becoming the organisation's ninth team but the Coronavirus pandemic has put talks on ice.

Pellistri, 18, is currently plying his trade at Penarol, and has so far not left his home city of Montevideo during his fledgling career. He is now valued at £8m, and the big boys are taking a closer look.

Guardiola is still on the lookout for a new assistant to replace Mikel Arteta, who left to become Arsenal head coach in December last year, with Alonso a leading candidate for the position.

The 16-year-old is viewed as one of the best youngsters in Scotland and City, among other Premier League's leading teams, including Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea, are keen.

INTERVIEW BY PETE JENSON: As Pablo Mari clocked up miles on the stationary bike in his back garden during 47 days of lockdown, he never let the situation get to him.

This year Dortmund face another battle to cling onto Jadon Sancho, amid interest from Premier League sides, but how have past players from the German side fared in the English top flight?

It is sad that one of the Premier League's modern greats may leave our game this summer with the same lack of fanfare that greeted his arrival almost 10 years ago.

Wright-Phillips and Ashley Cole were subjected to monkey noises and insults during England's 1-0 defeat inside the Bernabeu, which saw the FA lodge a complaint to FIFA over the incident.

Both Premier League clubs have watched 17-year-old KV Mechelen midfielder in this season. Vranckx caught the eye when he scored the first and set up the second in a 2-0 win over Anderlecht. 

The winger has been a long-term target for the German giants and they were keen to bring him to the Allianz Arena last summer only for him to suffer a horror injury in the Community Shield.

Kamara has been one of Marseille's stars under Andre Villas-Boas, with the French side emerging as best of the rest in France behind runaway leaders Paris Saint-Germain.

City Football Group, who are majority owned by Abu Dhabi United and have involvement from China Media Capital, CITIC Capital and Silver Lake, will wipe out Lommel's debts of £1.75million.

The Belgium star joined City in 2015 a year before Guardiola arrived from Bayern Munich and has helped the club to win two Premier League titles over the last five years.

MATT HUGHES - AHEAD OF THE GAME: The Premier League may let TV cameras into dressing rooms and allow broadcasters to conduct interviews at halftime if the season is resumed.

The defender was highly sought after having impressed for Southampton and assessed his options, with aspects such as playing style and fan base taken into consideration.

Premier League and Championship clubs come into the second day of the January transfer window as the hunt to bolster their squad continues. Join Sportsmail for all the latest news.

TOM COLLOMOSSE AT PRIDE PARK: Wayne Rooney could not manage a goal on his return to English football but produced two moments of quality that showed he can still make an impact.

The FA Cup third round continues on Sunday with 11 ties taking place - including four Premier League teams. Stay up to date with those matches with Sportsmail HERE.

AMITAI WINEHOUSE AT SELHURST PARK: If Roy Hodgson was hoping for a favour from the man he made England captain, Wayne Rooney was not in an obliging mood.

Amid the ongoing criticism of the implementation of VAR in the Premier League this season, a referee finally used the pitchside monitor to aide a decision on Sunday.

Roy Hodgson was not surprised to see the pitchside monitor used during their 1-0 defeat to Derby in the FA Cup but is unsure if he wants it to become a regular occurrence.

After their humiliation at the hands of Manchester City in the Carabao Cup, Manchester United are among the teams actively looking to improve their side in January. Follow our live transfer blog here.

Following the long-term lay-offs of Harry Kane and Moussa Sissoko, Tottenham are scouring the market for replacements before the window closes. Follow our live transfer blog here.

We're halfway through the January transfer window with clubs across Europe battling it out for their mid-season targets before the end of the month. Follow all the latest news with Sportsmail.

It's day 18 of the transfer window with clubs across Europe battling it out for their mid-season targets before the end of the month.

It's day 19 of the transfer window with clubs across Europe battling it out for their mid-season targets before the end of the month. Follow our live transfer blog to find out all the latest news.

There are just 10 days of the transfer window remaining with teams now entering the realms of a late rush to finalise any deals before the deadline. Follow our daily live blog of all the latest news.

THE SECRET SCOUT: This week Sportsmail gets a low-down on 18-year-old Derby County midfielder LOUIE SIBLEY, who is valued at £600,000 and is the latest young talent to emerge at Pride Park.

ADAM SHERGOLD AT THE PTS ACADEMY STADIUM: Wayne Rooney was the centre of attention but Northampton proved themselves far from starstruck as they matched Derby blow for blow.

We are into the last three days of the transfer window and the pressure is ramping up on teams to avoid a last minute scramble to complete their January business. Follow our live transfer blog here.

MIKE KEEGAN - SPORTS AGENDA: Fed-up West Ham fans will stage a protest against the club's owners at Anfield on Monday night - although they will be fewer in number than hoped for.

The Wales international links up with former international colleague Carl Robinson, who was appointed Jets head coach earlier this month, until the end of the season.

Derby owner Mel Morris admits the ongoing coronavirus pandemic is likely to complicate his attempts to secure outside investment in the Championship club this summer.

EXCLUSIVE BY MATT HUGHES: Derby are close to agreeing a £30 million loan from MSD Capital, the investment company owned by American billionaire Michael Dell.

Everything around football is up in the air. The season has been suspended for weeks and it is unclear when - and if - it might return. As time goes on, there are more voices calling it to be called off.

Business Standard Opinion pieces for the day talk about various economic aspects of the pandemic

Business Standard opinion pieces for the day talk about the fiscal and other aspects of the pandemic.

Covid-19 continues in different parts of the world, including India. Among other things, the pandemic has significantly affected global financial markets

Business Standard Opinion pieces for the day talk about various aspects of the pandemic

The next crisis may be a climate one. Are we preempting it? Are we ready for it? Can technology help compensate for some of the downsides of social distancing? Alokananda Chakraborty sums up.

Here's a selection of Business Standard Opinion pieces for the day

Here's a selection of Business Standard Opinion pieces for the day

Here's a selection of Business Standard Opinion pieces for the day

Here's a selection of Business Standard Opinion pieces for the day

Here's a selection of Business Standard opinion pieces

Here's a selection of Business Standard opinion pieces of the day

Here's a selection of Business Standard opinion pieces of the day

Here's a selection of Business Standard opinion pieces of the day