The striker suffered an ankle injury in his country’s 2-0 win over Serbia on Thursday, and the national team doctor, Ola Sand, had stated the Manchester City star will have to carry out tests to find out the extent of the damage.

After consulting with Norway manager Ståle Solbakken and Sand, Norway have now made a decision to leave the 23-year-old out of the squad for Sunday’s fixture against Scotland. The doctor, however, has insisted Haaland’s injury isn’t serious.

“The injury isn’t serious, but he is in so much pain and somewhat restricted function that the Scotland game unfortunately comes a little too early,” he said.

Meanwhile, Solbakken has stated he’ll not bring in a replacement for the frontman for the weekend clash.

On November 25th, Manchester City will host Liverpool in the league clash and the latest news about Haaland would certainly not please both Pep Guardiola and the treble winners.

The Citizens are leading the league table and are one point ahead of the Reds, who are in the second spot. The former Borussia Dortmund man’s absence could be a big blow for Guardiola’s side.

Haaland has scored 17 goals and registered four assists from 18 games this season.

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That’s according to Sport, who say Barcelona are ‘going to have a difficult time’ trying to get the Portuguese star on a permanent basis.

The newspaper explains that the first polls with Manchester City have taught the Catalans that their English counterparts are not willing to sanction another loan and want €50m for the player.

They ‘aspire to a good sale’, although early signs are that they would be willing to lower the price in order to achieve it.

Cancelo’s arrival at Camp Nou this summer was not easy because City were offering him around and several teams were interested but the footballer’s determination to play for Barcelona, and willingness to lower his salary, sent him there instead.

Barcelona had been ‘betting on the continuity’ of his loa for one more season and on paper Manchester City could accept that as he has a contract until 2027 but they want to sell as Cancelo is not a part of their plans.

Only a loan with a mandatory purchase option worth €35m would be considered but Barcelona can’t afford that, particularly as they’d have to assume Cancelo’s salary in full as well.

The player’s comfort in Barcelona and determination to continue ‘can be decisive’ in the negotiations but Barcelona already expect them to be tough.

If Cancelo remains firms, then they and Manchester City are ‘obliged to reach an agreement’ but at what figure remains to be seen.

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That’s according to journalist Eduardo Inda, relayed by Bernabeu Digital, who has revealed information from his sources regarding a possible disagreement at the Etihad.

They explain that Madrid continue to look at forward options for their squad and, other than Kylian Mbappe, the other big standout name is that of Haaland.

He is currently the best striker on the planet and that’s not gone unnoticed by anyone, particularly the power brokers at Real Madrid.

Signing the Norwegian has always looked difficult because the play is ‘very comfortable’ at Manchester City where he is winning titles and the undisputed star.

However, according to Inda, the garden is not that rosy and there is actually a disagreement bubbling away between Haaland and Pep Guardiola.

“They tell me from the player’s entourage that there has been a certain disagreement with Guardiola since before the Ballon d’Or gala,” he claimed.

“Pep grandly praised Messi, saying that his worst season ‘Leo coincided with the best of Haaland.’

“(He) praised both of them, but he put in that phrase and Haaland was not amused. There is a certain distance from the coach. The relationship is not in a good moment. What you have to say is that the Ballon d’Or has to go to your star and not Leo Messi.”

That ‘tension’ could be something for Real Madrid to ‘take advantage of’ to bring their position and Haaland’s closer, at least according to Bernabeu Digital’s understanding. Whether that’s the case in reality, though, is another matter.

First and foremost, we have to admit that Inda is not the best source for this kind of thing and something of a wild rumour merchant, so you have to take his claims with an enormous barrel of salt first.

Then there’s the fact it’s being covered by a Real Madrid fan website, who are naturally going to put a positive spin on it from their own club’s perspective.

Both of those things make these claims easily dismissible but any more comments from the Manchester City coach, or little discussions with Haaland on the pitch, and you should expect more to be said in future.

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Earlier this month, the 23-year-old twisted his ankle in the Citizen’s league win over AFC Bournemouth. He’s sustained another injury on the same ankle while in action with the national team.

Norway doctor Ola Sand told TV2 that there would be more clarity on the Manchester City star’s injury situation on Friday.

“He gets a slight twist in his ankle, where he is a bit vulnerable. It hurts a lot right away, and then it goes away pretty quickly. Then we’ll see tomorrow how he is then,” he said.

Norway will take on Scotland at the weekend and TV2 questions whether the striker will be fit in time for the European qualifier on Sunday.

In his post-match press conference, Norway manager Ståle Solbakken admitted he isn’t aware if the player has had contact with Manchester City after the latest setback.

“I’ve hardly visited the dressing room. It’s because it was Mario [Pafundi, Manchester City sports therapist] who treated him the last time he had that injury against Bournemouth,” Solbakken explained.

“Yes [it’s right to have talks quickly with Manchester City], as long as Ola is there, that’s it. Mario is usually with us.”

Solbakken claims it was agreed in advance Haaland wouldn’t play more than 45 minutes against Faroe Islands.

“There was no drama in it. In relation to the match plan he is in, he felt 45 minutes was the best. We actually agreed on that,” he added.

“It means that you keep a certain momentum without getting tired. Injuries can occur at any time during any training session and close contact sports.”

The coach has stated there’s never been conflict between Norway and Manchester City with regards to Haaland, and he also stated he hasn’t received any request from Pep Guardiola so far.

“Never during my time with the national team have I had a request from Pep Guardiola if he wants us to do this or that. Erling is very hungry to play for the national team,” the Norway manager said.

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That’s according to Girona midfielder Aleix García, who says the two managers are in contact and regularly talking.

Girona are the surprise package of European football at this moment in time, currently sitting at the top of La Liga with 34 points from 13 games so far and just one defeat to their name.

It’s been a staggering improvement from a side who finished tenth in the table last season and 39 points behind eventual title winners Barcelona.

They’re on course for an exceptional campaign and a potential defining one for them and manager Míchel, who has so far managed Rayo Vallecano and SD Huesca in his career.

It’s a position that he, and Girona, are very much not accustomed to at this moment in time, something that certainly cannot be said of Manchester City and Pep Guardiola.

They’re accustomed to dominating the Premier League at this point in time, with them there again at this moment in time a year after a historic treble last year.

And it seems Míchel is looking to take advantage of that, with García revealing he’s in contact with the Manchester City manager as the two clubs are connected in the City Football Group.

“Pep we all know who he is, what a great coach he is and everything he has won,” he said.

“Míchel is trying with the City Group, with a lot of contact with Pep, to learn from him. He has brutal football concepts.

“And when you are comfortable in a club like Girona, where things are going well for you, it allows you to show your personality with the tranquillity that accompanies you outside.”

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The 21-year-old has been speaking to Voetbal International about his career, with comments relayed by FC Twente Insite.

The youngster has had something of a varied career up to this point, starting with Saprissa in his native Costa Rica before being scooped up by the City Football Group in 2020.

That saw him move to Belgian club Lommel as they tried to establish him in Europe, but he struggled with them and instead was sent on loan to Twente in 2021.

He soon settled at the Dutch club and started to impress, so much so that they elected to pay €4m to sign him on a permanent basis in July this year.

He’s been steadily impressing since then, with three goals and three assists in 12 games in the Eredivisie this season and a goal and an assist in six games in the Europa Conference League.

He appears to be settled in the Netherlands and admits everything got better for him once he joined Twente, but that doesn’t mean he still doesn’t have dreams of Manchester City.

“My agent called to say he had a few options for me. One of them was the City Group. What is that? I asked him,” he said regarding him joining the City Group.

“The scouts had painted him the whole picture, about players who can grow in a network of clubs. I was quickly convinced. My goal naturally became to reach the highest step. Manchester City, Aguero’s club.

“I knew that a lot of talents are attracted to the City Group every year, that not everyone the Premier League, but every player will board the plane with the same dream.”

“Everything has become easier since I started playing at FC Twente. My teammates, the staff, the supporters; from the first day I came here as a loan player, they have taken care of me so well. I am grateful to them all for that.”

“Oh well, I know how it works. City have so many players to choose from. They can buy whoever they want. They already have Haaland in my place. He’s also a nice striker. Maybe one day, in a roundabout way, I can still join City. But I am very happy that I am now at FC Twente.”

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That’s according to COPE and journalist Miguel Ángel Díaz, who says Spain boss Luis de la Fuente has decided not to risk the Manchester City star on this occasion.

They report that Spain, who have already qualified for next summer’s Euro 2024, will be without Rodri and defender José Luis Gayá for the clash with Cyprus at least.

The Manchester City man, who is the undisputed star of the side reportedly ‘has discomfort’ and Spain have decided they aren’t going to take risks with him or his teammate.

A plan is already in place to replace the pair, with Martin Zubimendi likely to start in midfielder and Alejandro Grimaldo, who would be making his international debut, at left-back.

Whether the unidentified issue for Rodri also keeps him out of the clash with Georgia remains to be seen but with Spain already qualified, there’s no need to risk him at that juncture.

That’s presumably also the sentiment shared by Manchester City, who will be hoping the midfielder isn’t out for an extended spell given how sorely they missed him when he was suspended for three games earlier this year.

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Last month, Barca president Joan Laporta admitted an effort will be made to retain the right-back beyond his loan spell. Earlier this week, their sporting director, Deco, talked about the Catalan club’s desire to keep the 29-year-old at the Camp Nou.

Marca have relayed Deco’s comments and then discuss how Barca can make Manchester City owned player’s stay permanent.

Despite expressing desire to retain the Portugal international and João Félix [on loan from Atlético Madrid], the newspaper states deals for the duo would depend on their own financial situation next summer.

It’s said that deals to buy both Cancelo and the forward are ‘certainly complicated’, more so because Barca have to negotiate with Manchester City and Atlético respectively. This seems to be not an easy task.

Among the duo, the report states it would be ‘easier’ for them to buy the right-back.

Manchester City sporting director Txiki Begiristain and CEO Ferran Soriano haven’t yet set a valuation for the defender, but Marca say they will ask €30m for him.

Félix, on the other hand, would cost Barca around €70m. In addition to this, their salaries should also be taken into account.

Marca say the fullback’s wages are ‘much more affordable’, and ‘everything indicates’ that the option to buy the Manchester City man is ‘much more likely’ than Félix.

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Despite playing in all of Barcelona’s game in La Liga and the Champions League to date, the midfielder wants to sign for Galatasaray.

That’s according to Sportcell journalist Burhan Can Terzi, who revealed what the former Manchester City midfielder told his agent.

This happened after the recent game between Bayern Munich and Galatasaray, when the Turkish club ‘held a meeting’ with the player.

Following said encounter, it’s added that the player called his agent and told him: “I am approaching the end of my football career. I don’t want to leave football without wearing the Galatasaray shirt.”

That will come as a surprise to many, considering how much he has played for Barcelona, but it seems that all has not been roses and rainbows for the player after his exit from Manchester City.

As you might recall, we covered an article a few weeks ago where it was stated that Gundogan ‘expected more’ from Barcelona, and this could be why he is now eyeing up a move to Galatasaray just a few months after his arrival.

Burhan Can Terzi (@burhancanterzii): Galatasaray, Bayern Münih maçı öncesi İlkay Gündoğan ile görüşme gerçekleştirildi. İlkay menajerini yanına çağırıyor. İlkay'ın dediği şu: "Ben artık futbol hayatımın sonuna yaklaşıyorum. Verimli halimle Galatasaray forması giymeden futbolu… pic.twitter.com/AKKbDxRfKI

— Sportcell (@sportcelltr) November 15, 2023

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In the summer window, the 21-year-old returned to the La Liga side for a third spell, signing on another loan deal. Operating as a right-back and a right wing-back, he has managed a goal and three assists from 12 league games this season.

Girona are leading the league table and, two points ahead of Real Madrid and four ahead of Barcelona.

Mundo Deportivo had a chat with the Manchester City owned player to discuss Girona’s flying start to the season. Towards the end, he also talked about his plans beyond this season.

The Brazil international’s deal at Manchester City runs until 2025 and when asked if he thinks about his future, he said: “Obviously I have hopes and I think about my future.

“I want to be at the highest level and I am very happy to be at Girona, but I also want to play in the Champions League, I don’t know if here or at Manchester City, although I love Spain. I see myself playing more in La Liga, but we have to see what options we can consider for next year [season].”

Mundo then asked the defender whether he would be open to extending his stay at the La Liga side, if they were to qualify for the Champions League next season.

Responding to that, Couto explained: “We have to talk about it, why not be here another year? I think it is also a City Group plan and will be discussed at the time, although we will leave it until the end of the season.”

Manchester City signed the player from Brazilian side Coritiba in 2020 and he’s yet to make an appearance for them.

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