Mario Balotelli (left) gave a rare interview and opened up on how a deal to take him to Turin to play for Juventus after Manchester City collapsed as he chose not to ignore an offer from his boyhood AC Milan.

Shaun Wright-Phillips has admitted he planned to spend his whole career at Manchester City before he was caught off guard in being sold to Chelsea in the summer of 2005.

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.

Antonio Rudiger feels the season should be ended immediately due to the dangers posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Chelsea defender feels that Liverpool must still be crowned champions.

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.

MARTIN SAMUEL: It is no doubt why Steve Bruce sees his departure from Newcastle in the coming months as close on inevitable. He's been around long enough. He knows how this works.

The Premier League holds a pivotal meeting this morning to decide on the details of 'Project Restart', with plans to resume the season to be ironed out before they seek Government approval.

Club captain Jordan Henderson, full-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson and goalkeeper Alisson were the other members of Jurgen Klopp's side to make the 20-man squad.

The Premier League held a virtual meeting on Friday to finalise plans for 'Project Restart' with clubs determined to finish the 2019-2020 campaign but Laporte insists football must listen to the experts.

The Argentine's contract at the Etihad Stadium runs until June next year having signed a one-year extension in 2018, but it means he is close to entering the final 12 months of his deal.

The Argentine has revealed how his diet did not agree with his body, with regular barbecues and steaks leading to the striker putting on weight and suffering dizzy bouts during games.

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has heaped praise on Virgil van Dijk, admitting the Liverpool defender's physical attributes make him extremely tough to play against.

A Saudi regime with bottomless pockets on Tyneside could signify a changing of the guards when it comes who will be challenging for Premier League titles in years to come.

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?

Amid unhappiness amongst relegation-threatened clubs on home advantage being lost, the Premier League made it clear last Friday that all 20 grounds could be used next season.

Adebayor, who is currently isolating in his native Togo, refused to give money to help battle the deadly virus before expressing his desire to be able to do as he pleases with his wealth.

The midfielder, who will be 29 next month, admitted at the weekend that he might have to consider his future if City's two-year Champions League ban is upheld.

West Ham attacking midfielder Lanzini has become the latest top-flight star to publicly voice concerns about resuming playing, joining the likes of Aguero and Rudiger.

EXCLUSIVE: Premier League clubs could offer an app to fans which would send virtual cheers or jeers from their homes to stadiums, in an attempt to generate an atmosphere for matches.

The former France international enjoyed a renaissance with Sevilla under Argentine Sampaoli in the 2016-17 season after spells with Arsenal and Manchester City.

Reports in Argentina have claimed that Martinez, who has been capped by Argentina and has made 64 appearances for River since his debut in 2016, is a target for City manager Pep Guardiola.

Semedo arrived at Barca for £32m from Benfica in 2017 and has since impressed to become the club's first choice right-back. However, Barca are desperate to freshen up their first team.

The worrying projection comes with leagues across Europe grappling with how to restart their campaigns, with France's Ligue 1 having already been forced to cancel.

He's already broken the 20-goal mark for the third consecutive campaign but that is not enough these days. Scoring every other game is not deemed prolific enough and Sterling wants more.

The Premier League's biggest clubs face a further financial headache and the risk of breaking sponsorship agreements over the cancellation of this summer's pre-season tours.

EXCLUSIVE BY JACK GAUGHAN: Marsh was up at 3am on Sunday, busy juggling Tupperware. The Premier League needs feeding and a fair number of its big names are relying on the personal chef.

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 26-year-old has drawn comparisons to Atletico Madrid shot-stopper Jan Oblak and Manchester City's Ederson. However, Benfica will only sanction a sale if Vlachodimos' £53m release clause is met.

Wayne Rooney has set his sights on playing as long as he can as he prepares to make his debut for Derby County.

Wayne Rooney impressed on his Derby County debut as he provided a stunning assist in a 2-1 win over Barnsley at Pride Park. Rooney was handed the captain's armband for his first appearance for club.

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 34-year-old, who made his debut for Derby this week, has described how he was 'sucked in' by initial success with gambling before ending up losing money and then 'chasing his bets'

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.

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.

EXCLUSIVE BY MATT HUGHES: Derby County are being investigated by the Charity Commission over links between the club's community programme and main sponsor 32Red.

With the large majority of Premier League clubs now having played their final top flight fixtures before deadline day, attention may now turn towards grabbing a late January deal in the transfer market.

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.

It is thought the 21-year-old will initially train with the Rams' Under-23 group as he looks to step forward with his career after he was at League One club Tranmere for the first part of the campaign.

Newcastle United survived a stunning Oxford United comeback as Allan Saint-Maximin struck an extra-time winner, while Liverpool's kids set up a fifth round tie at Chelsea after beating Shrewsbury.

Bournemouth fell to a 2-1 defeat at high-flying Sheffield United despite taking a early lead through Callum Wilson. Billy Sharp equalised before John Lundstram got the winner with six minutes left.

Nahki Wells scored his first goal for Bristol City as they held off a spirited comeback from Derby to claim a thrilling Sky Bet Championship victory at Ashton Gate.

EXCLUSIVE: Derby players boycotted the BBC following Friday night's match with Fulham - and may do so again on Tuesday night at QPR. The club's squad are 'furious'.

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.

JACK BEZANTS AT LOFTUS ROAD: London has been a miserable place for Derby to visit this season and an error from captain Wayne Rooney compounded their travel sickness against QPR.

CHRIS WHEELER AT PRIDE PARK: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was right about Wayne Rooney. There is still fight in the old dog. The problem for Rooney is that Man Utd have a bit of bite themselves.

While Manchester City's clash with Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough took place on Wednesday night, United's game at Derby County was the last of the eight ties on Thursday.

Fixture congestion has become the go-to excuse for managers when their team under performs and the injury list mounts, with Jurgen Klopp, Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola taking swipes.

Jesse Lingard has had his fair share of detractors to deal with over the years, but even he would have been taken aback by the abuse he received trying to board the team bus at Derby County.

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.