'Medical booked' with Man City deal 'approved' as Liverpool 'open talks' with Man Utd 'target'

Manchester City missed the chance to gain some ground on Premier League leaders Liverpool as they threw away a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with Brentford on Tuesday. Nottingham Forest held Arne Slot’s side to a 1-1 draw at the City Ground as Pep Guardiola’s men were also forced to settle for a point.

Phil Foden scored twice in the second half to put City 2-0 up in West London but Yoane Wissa scored in the 82nd minute with Christian Norgaard heading in an equaliser during stoppage time. The result had echoes of the Manchester derby as Manchester United scored twice late on to clinch victory in December.

Guardiola said: “We have the situation we have, I think it’s a little different to games like the United game but it’s true and I need to think about it. We were close and we had chances, we didn’t take the right decisions. At the end they put a lot in the box and he (Norgaard) was there. Between 2-1 and 2-2 it was good, we controlled but after that they put players in the box, they are stronger than us in that department and they equalised.

“They put six or seven in the box for crosses and (in that area) they are better. They are taller, they are stronger with the head. Of course we were tired but we couldn’t close the cross, our holding midfielders don’t have the skills to defend these type of balls because we have other types of players right now and we couldn’t defend that situation.”

United are in action on Thursday as they host Southampton at Old Trafford. As both sites continue their respective campaigns, the transfer talk around both clubs is rumbling on with City close to completing a deal for a defender while Liverpool have joined the race for an in-demand United target.

City medical booked for Reis

Man City are close to securing a move for a defender with a medical scheduled for 19-year-old centre back Vitor Reis. It emerged earlier this week that the club had reached an agreement with Palmeiras to sign the player. Pep Guardiola is keen to revamp his squad after admitting he neglected to do so during the summer window.

Providing updates on the proposed move, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano said on X: “The centre back will join the club immediately as revealed yesterday, not staying at Palmeiras until July. Medical booked and contract approved. Transfer fee around €35m plus sell-on clause included.”

The defender celebrated his 19th birthday on Sunday and has represented Brazil at youth level. He has made 24 appearances for Palmeiras’ senior side and was reportedly the subject of interest from Brighton and Hove Albion - who have had plenty of success in recent years when signing players from South America.

Liverpool ‘open talks’ with United target

According to Sky Germany, Liverpool have opened discussions with 1. FC Nuremberg about a summer transfer for in-demand striker Stefanos Tzimas. The player is on loan from PAOK Saloniki but Nuremburg have the option to buy the player for £15m. The German side are prepared to complete a permanent deal before selling the player on this summer. Chelsea, Brighton and Hove Albion and Aston Villa are among the other Premier League sides interested in the player while reports relayed by Manchester World have claimed there is also interest from Manchester United and Arsenal.

The talented teenage forward has scored eight goals in 14 matches this season in 2. Bundesliga for Nuremburg this season. Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg reports Nuremburg, who sit 11th in the 2. Bundesliga table are aiming to keep Tzimas on board until the end of the season to help aid their play-off push before then looking at allowing him to leave in the summer.