The German midfielder has proved to be an influential figure of Pep Guardiola's team over the last couple of seasons as they went on to claim back-to-back Premier League titles.

The World Cup is almost upon us, as footballers around the globe prepare to pit abilities against each other on the biggest stage. With big moves up for grabs, Sportsmail looks at those in the shop window.

With its orange rays and the unmistakable figure of Lev Yashin, Russia has produced a piece of artwork that lives up to a great tradition of World Cup posters. Here is every one, from 1930 onwards...

Thunder rumbled as the players boarded the team buses but it would take more than another mighty storm crashing ashore from the Black Sea to clear the air.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic appears to be ready to hold up his end of the bargain he has with David Beckham after his beloved Sweden were knocked out of the World Cup by England on Saturday.

The 33-year-old former Wigan Athletic centre-back has been key to Sweden 's impressive defensive record and captained his country at the World Cup forming a partnership with United's Victor Lindelof.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has played for European giants across the biggest leagues, including Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United.

LAURA LAMBERT AT EASTBOURNE: Jo Konta sailed through the opening round at the Eastbourne International on Sunday to keep her Wimbledon preparations on track.

Heather Watson is part of a new crop of players that have recently re-energised the British game. Katie Nicholl meets the British tennis star who's aceing it on and off Centre Court

It's another exciting day of action at Wimbledon - and Sportsmail is once again on hand to guide you through everything. Day four includes the likes of Rafael Nadal, Jo Konta and Andy Murray!

Most of us appreciate the value of a good night's sleep, but how much would you pay to wake up feeling refreshed and restored each day?

Labour was last night accused of betraying the Union to get Jeremy Corbyn into No10 after it crawled over to the SNP and offered them a second independence referendum.

Labour looked set to stop Boris Johnson's plans for an early election last night following talks with the SNP. The parties are thought to have agreed an election can only come after a Brexit extension.

Jeremy Corbyn met Ian Blackford, the Scottish nationalists' Westminster leader, yesterday to agree an election should only be held after Britain has secured another Brexit delay from the EU.

RICHARD LITTLEJOHN: Just imagine the reaction if a bunch of pro-Brexit English MPs had got onto their hind legs in the Commons and started singing Land Of Hope And Glory.

The Scottish Labour leader today fired a public broadside at Jeremy Corbyn as he warned him not to agree a back room deal with the SNP to get into power.

The scale of infighting within Labour was underlined last night when more than 100 of Jeremy Corbyn's own MPs ignored his orders to back holding a snap election.

Ian Blackford said today the SNP will draw up a 'wish list' of demands ahead of potential post-election cooperation talks with Labour as he hinted scrapping Trident could be one of the party's red lines.

Nicola Sturgeon today confirmed she would demand the UK's Trident nuclear deterrent be scrapped as the price of SNP support for a minority Labour government led by Jeremy Corbyn.

Labour's leader in Scotland, Richard Leonard, today suggested that if would only require 'the election of parties into a majority' to provide a mandate.

Lord Kerslake said the Labour party would 'need to have conversations' with the Liberal Democrats and SNP if the election produces a hung parliament. Labour played down the comments.

In a dramatic intervention, Dominic Cummings said the General Election was 'much tighter' than the polls suggested and warned of a 'very real possibility of a hung parliament'.

Heather Anderson took up her seat on Tuesday to replace Alyn Smith, who had served as an MEP for 15 years but had to step down after being elected MP for Stirling in the recent general election.

The Labour leadership challenger made the comment at a hustings event last week and provoked fury from the party as she labelled its members 'Tories wrapped up in nationalist clothing'.

Georginio Wijnaldum admits Holland's recent absence from major tournaments has been 'painful' as they look set to end that exodus at Euro 2020 next summer.

Cristiano Ronaldo led Portugal to glory in 2016 despite injury and is one of a number of greats to write his name into the glittering history of the Euros since they were introduced in 1960.

The former X Factor judge, 67, celebrated her theatre stint for Nativity! The Musical with her daughter Kelly, 35, during a gala night, held at Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, London, on Thursday.

The X Factor judge, 41, opted for a glamorous look as she donned a chic red fur coat, which no doubt kept the chill off in the chilly climes.

The legendary rocker, 71, walked with the help of a cane while his X Factor star wife, 67, lent a helping hand, as they made their way home following dinner Mr. Chow in Beverly Hills on Friday.

The X Factor star, 67, was every inch the doting wife as she helped her husband, 71, after they had dinner at San Vicente Bungalows in West Hollywood on Friday.

Phillip Blackwell has been accused of a series of sex offences which reportedly took place in Nuneaton and Birmingham and involved five alleged victims.

Alyssa, from Ballymoney, Northern Ireland, wanted to hear Hello My Love by Westlife but ended up with Alexandra Burke's version of Hallelujah when her Amazon Echo Dot speaker didn't understand.

Colourist Natalia Maxwell, artistic director at Malcolm Murphy Hair, says people should look to other products while self-isolating, saying they'll cover roots just as well and won't damage hair.

British dressmaker Angela Kelly, who has worked with the Queen for 25 years, revealed the monarch is just like the rest of us when it comes to getting her money's worth.

Singapore Airlines is one of the most lauded carriers in the world, with more awards than you can shake a designer amenity kit at. But the scores from these experts are far from perfect...

The voyage, called 2020 World Cruise, is taking place on Princess Cruises' Pacific Princess, with the cheapest ticket $22,999. It will take in 42 destinations in 26 countries across five continents.

Vincent and Jane Hee will also be chauffeured around in a Rolls-Royce, receive a rose-gold platinum ring set with a rare 2.08-carat diamond and spend the night at the Raffles Singapore hotel.

A Chinese man diagnosed in Queensland with coronavirus also spent time in Melbourne, and four fellow travellers are now ill and being tested for the disease.

The 46 sq m carport at Little Graham Street in Albert Park, Melbourne has caught the eye of buyers in Singapore and England.

The 46 sq m property at Little Graham Street in Albert Park, Melbourne sold on Saturday after it attracted international attention from buyers.

Detectives probing the 'racially aggravated' assault of 23-year-old Jonathan Mok on Oxford Street, central London, today issued a series of images of the suspects.

It comes as several countries have placed travel restrictions and limits on large gatherings that have led to the likes of Stormzy, Avril Lavigne, and Slipknot postponing shows.

ANU economist Professor Warwick McKibbin said the idea would not work for all sectors but could increase productivity in some areas. He spoke at the AFR business summit.

Virgin Australia's board made a last-minute plea for $100 million from the Federal Government to pay its bills for the next fortnight but the request was refused and it has gone into administration.

An Australian Government smartphone app has been launched on Sunday to track the spread of coronavirus, but some see the new controversial software as intrusive.

The British and Irish Lions are in talks about staging a bumper international match against a top Test-playing nation at Twickenham ahead of the 2021 tour of South Africa.

Joe Schmidt has suffered a World Cup injury blow with veteran flanker Seán O'Brien ruled out of the tournament in Japan with a hip injury. His set for six months on the sidelines.

RORY KEANE IN TOKYO: Ireland have a shot at history here on Saturday, with the All Blacks standing in the way of a place in the World Cup semi-finals.

There is an irony that 20 minutes after Barry Geraghty thought that his Champion Hurdle hopes might have been dashed on the final Saturday in November a bright new chance emerged.

Chosen Mate was victorious in the sixth of Friday's races at Cheltenham after seeing off Us and Them and Maracuja in a packed field to take home the Grand Annual Handicap Chase.