Manchester City have a strong interest in Atalanta's Brazil midfielder Ederson, although Manchester United and Liverpool have also asked about the availability of the £50m-rated 25-year-old. (Caught Offside), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column
Barcelona are considering a move for Newcastle's 27-year-old Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, who is also of interest to Arsenal and Manchester City. (CaughtOffside), external
Image source, Getty ImagesNottingham Forest are winless in their past nine league games against Manchester City (D2 L7), since a 3-2 win at Maine Road in the second tier in December 1997.
Since the start of November, this is Manchester City's eighth Premier League game starting the day in the top four of the table. They have taken just one point from the previous seven in this run, conceding at least twice in each (19 in total).
Manchester City are tracking 27-year-old AC Milan and France left-back Theo Hernandez. (Caught Offside), external
Pep Guardiola's side also want to bring in Leicester City's Jeremy Monga but will have to go through a tribunal to agree a compensation fee for the 15-year-old English winger. (Sun), external
Finally, England attacker Jack Grealish, 29, could leave Manchester City this summer. (Mail), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column
Freddie Pye
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesPep Guardiola is right. FA Cup success would not represent a good season for Manchester City
Rewind to 2011 when the success over Stoke City ended a run of 35 years without a major trophy, it was a victory that started a new era at the football club.
Now in 2025, it would be almost unimaginable to suggest to any supporter present at Wembley on that day that another FA Cup success would not represent a good season for the club.
But that is the reality of the modern City - a team that has been an all-conquering behemoth in English football with their triumphs and records under Guardiola.
Everyone associated with the club is aware of this season's struggles. From early exits in the Carabao Cup and Champions League to the fall of their Premier League title challenge as early as November, as well as the widespread injury and fitness issues, there has been a significant drop-off in performances.
City face a monumental challenge to qualify for the Champions League so success in the FA Cup, where all the most stern challengers are already out, could arguably be viewed as the bare minimum.
Winning the competition would paper over the cracks in a season that has brought very little to smile about and that is a view that is shared by the head coach, with Guardiola recently saying the campaign would still be viewed as "not good".
And while City may be viewed as favourites to claim the world's most illustrious domestic knockout competition, Bournemouth away in the quarter-finals remains a firm challenge before they can even contemplate a place at Wembley .
But let's get things straight; while the FA Cup may not make it a good season as a whole for City, the idea of major silverware to end a campaign of disappointment remains a mouth-watering possibility.
And that is particularly for the players who may be featuring in their final matches for City over the final weeks of the season.
Find more from Freddie Pye at City Xtra, external
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is set to make a decision on the long-term future of forward Jack Grealish amid plans for a squad overhaul. (Football Insider, external)
Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column
We asked for your views on Manchester City's performance in beating Championship side Plymouth in the FA Cup fifth round.
Here are some of your comments:
Franek: I was at the Etihad and I would just like to take a moment to applaud the away fans. They were so loud, even at full-time. However, at the end of the day, a win is a win. I was surprised when Haaland assisted De Bruyne - it's usually vice versa! Nico O'Reilly really burst on to the scene with two crucial goals. I have a feeling about him. I don't know what exactly but it's certainly a feeling...
Steve: O'Reilly was excellent, but City's performance from corners was poor. Plymouth had one corner and scored, City had loads of corners before O'Reilly got the winner.
Sean: I thought it was a professional performance and eventually our quality shone through. We had a lot of the ball and they were always going to get tired. They defended well and made it difficult for us.
Andrew: Plymouth had one corner and four long throw-ins in 95 minutes. Other than that, they had all 11 players behind the ball. It was only right that City won the game for playing football. Leyton Orient created more chances in the previous round!
John: A tough game, despite the difference in league status, but City knew what they had to do. Although O'Reilly got two goals, the 'old timers' shone through with great performances from De Bruyne, Silva and Grealish. Bring on the next round.
Manchester City and Manchester United are keeping a close eye on Portugal winger Francisco Trincao, although Sporting hope to agree a new contract with the 25-year-old. (A Bola - in Portuguese), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column
The draw for the FA Cup quarter-finals has been made. Here are the four ties in the order they were drawn.
Games will be played over the final weekend of March.
Fulham v Crystal Palace
Preston v Aston Villa
Bournemouth v Manchester City
Brighton v Nottingham Forest/Ipswich
Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesManchester City manager Pep Guardiola flagged another defensive injury concern following his side's FA Cup fifth round win against Plymouth.
John Stones and Manuel Akanji are already on the sidelines, and Nathan Ake failed to return for the second half as Ruben Dias partnered youngster Vitor Reis.
The 19-year-old was making only his second appearance following his January transfer window move from Brazilian club Palmeiras.
No wonder Guardiola is grateful the club bought in Reis and Uzbekistan international Abdukodir Khusanov, who wasn't involved against the Championship strugglers.
"We have another central defender out for a long time," said Guardiola in his post-match news conference. "I'm so grateful for Khusanov and Reis, without them we don't have any chance to qualify for the Champions League next season or fight for FA Cup.
"We would have Ruben [Dias] and that would be it. It is a miracle they are here."
Image source, Getty ImagesManchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been speaking to BBC Match of the Day after his side progressed to the FA Cup quarter-finals: "I didn't take anything for granted when I saw how well they defended and the problems they created for Liverpool. They are an incredibly solid team.
"We created a lot and conceded little - the basics we have done for many years. We are happy to reach the quarter-finals and we are happy with the way we played.
"How many times in the last few years have we reached the semi-finals? When you arrive six times in a row to the semi-finals, it is because the FA Cup is important. When you play in this competition and you behave like the way we behave, I'm so proud – I love it. It shows how honest we are - and I like that.
"We are one game away from Wembley and we'll see what happens."
On Nico O'Reilly's performance: "He is not a typical academy player. He is a physical presence. He is a number 10, I would say. He can play in a few positions and he is a threat from set-pieces because he is strong. I'm really pleased for him because he helped us a lot."
On Plymouth's performance: "Defensively, they were incredibly well organised. They didn't press much and defended a little deeper, but they defended with solidarity. That's why I said I didn't take anything for granted."
What did you make of Man City's display? Tell us here
Image source, Getty ImagesManchester City have won 15 consecutive home games in the FA Cup since a fourth-round defeat to Middlesbrough in January 2015. It is their longest-ever run in the competition and the longest winning home run since Liverpool in January 1955 (16 games).
Since his FA Cup debut in January 2016, Kevin De Bruyne has been involved in more goals (first round onwards) than any other player (28 - 10 goals, 18 assists). This is the third time he has both scored and assisted in an FA Cup match.
Nico O'Reilly has scored three goals in his three FA Cup appearances this season, with no Manchester City player scoring more in this year's competition.
Image source, Getty ImagesManchester City goalscorer Nico O'Reilly has been speaking to ITV following the win: "Two goals - I wasn't expecting it, but I'm glad.
"Going into half-time at 1-0 down would've been tough, so it lifted the spirits and we were ready for the second half after that.
"They were a very good team - very physical and direct. Congratulations to them for getting this far."
On whether Kevin de Bruyne was playing at his best: "You can say so. He is an amazing player, it is a pleasure to play with him."
On the FA Cup's importance this season: "It is always important. It is a big competition. All the teams in England play and we want to win it.
"We want to do our best to win, and we are into the quarter-finals."
Were you at Etihad Stadium or following the game from elsewhere?
Tell us your thoughts on Man City's performance here
Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies
