Xabi Alonso on three-man shortlist for Manchester City if Pep Guardiola leaves, Arsenal among three clubs in for Sandro Tonali - Paper Round

The January transfer window has closed in the Premier League but the reports persist, starting with an exclusive from the Telegraph claiming ex-Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso would be on a shortlist to replace Pep Guardiola should he leave Manchester City this summer. Elsewhere, there is talk of two other clubs joining Arsenal in the pursuit of Sandro Tonali - and Cristiano Ronaldo is not happy.

Man City plan post-Guardiola shortlist

Xabi Alonso is set to be joined by Enzo Maresca on a three-man shortlist as Manchester City make contingency plans should Pep Guardiola leave at the end of the season, the Telegraph reports.

There is reportedly a growing belief this could be Guardiola’s final year in charge, after a decade at the club, with Alonso and Maresca – who recently left Real Madrid and Chelsea respectively – along with a face familiar to the Premier League and beyond, among the contenders to replace him.

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The Telegraph adds: "City sources have dismissed such claims as "pure speculation", but that has not stopped suggestions from gathering pace that the club are putting together contingency plans.

"City are expected to draw up a shortlist of at least three possible successors to Guardiola with one of the Spaniard’s former players, Cesc Fabregas, gaining admirers in England and across Europe for his work at Como who are sixth in Italy’s Serie A.

"Fabregas, who became Como’s head coach in July 2024, is expected to leave the Italian club only for one of the biggest jobs in the Premier League or Europe."

Three-way summer battle for Tonali?

A transfer tug-of-war could take place for Sandro Tonali in the summer after Newcastle United quickly rubbished reports of Arsenal’s interest in the midfielder on Deadline Day, The Sun reports.

Arsenal are one of three Premier League clubs interested in the ex-AC Milan midfielder, with Manchester City and Chelsea both said to be admirers as well.

The Sun adds: "SunSport does understand that Tonali and wife Juliette, who recently welcomed a baby boy named Leonardo to the world, are both happy in the North East and are not actively looking for an exit.

"And there is no suggestion, and little chance, that he would follow Alexander Isak’s antics by going on strike in order to try and force a move.

"Tonali enjoys a close relationship with Newcastle boss Eddie Howe and remains grateful for the club’s backing during his 10-month betting ban shortly after his £55 million arrival in 2023."

‘It’s a black and white eruption!’ - Tonali puts Newcastle ahead against Chelsea inside two minutes

Video credit: TNT Sports

Ronaldo and Saudi Pro League ‘on collision course’

Cristiano Ronaldo is said to be on an "extraordinary collision course" with the Saudi Pro League, according to the Telegraph, given Karim Benzema is set to join Al-Hilal from rivals Al-Ittihad.

That move is casting doubt on Ronaldo’s own future, with the Portuguese said to be frustrated with the lack of investment at his own club, Al-Nassr.

The Telegraph adds: "It remains to be seen how the situation is resolved, how far Ronaldo is prepared to go in his protestations and whether he will be fined. The development has caused huge upheaval in the SPL.

"All three of those clubs are controlled by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) which also controls Newcastle United, and which had initially sanctioned Benzema’s move.

"The 38-year-old French striker is out of contract at Al-Ittihad in June, with the Jeddah-based club attempting to create room in their squad, and finances, to be in the bidding to sign Mohamed Salah should he leave Liverpool at the end of the season. N’Golo Kante is also expected to leave Al-Ittihad for Turkish club Fenerbahce."

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