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Thursday Kickoff: Man City given Sergio Aguero boost; Xherdan Shaqiri headed for Inter; and more

SergioAgueroManCity1-Sunderland2014 (Getty)

By DAN KARELL

Manchester City welcomed a familiar face back to full team training on Thursday morning.

For the first time since Dec. 6, Sergio Aguero took part in his team’s training session, along with fellow forward Edin Dzeko, who has missed the better part of the last four weeks with a calf injury.

It’s unknown whether Aguero will be available to feature for Man City in their upcoming trip to Everton but he could be fit for Man City’s Jan. 18 trip to the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal.

Aguero went down on Dec. 6 inside the first five minutes against Everton with a knee injury, leaving the field in tears. Despite missing the last month of action, Aguero still leads the English Premier League in scoring with 14 goals in 15 games, and he has scored five goals in UEFA Champions League action.

Here are some more stories to start off your Thursday:

SHAQIRI HEADED FOR INTER

Inter Milan have beaten out Liverpool and Juventus to sign one of the top available players in the January transfer window, according to reports in Germany.

German newspaper BILD reports that Bayern Munich have accepted an €18 million transfer bid from Inter for midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri. The 23-year-old Swiss international will join Inter this month initially on loan until the end of the season, and then the Italian club will complete the purchase in the summer.

Shaqiri was close to leaving Bayern last year but decided to stay one more year to try and break into the starting lineup. However, he’s found it harder than expected and after making only 15 appearances in all competitions this season, Shaqiri has decided to look for greener pastures.

RODRIGUEZ SIGNS WOLFSBURG EXTENSION

One of the world’s best left backs is seemingly off the market.

Wolfsburg FC announced early Thursday morning that Swiss left back Ricardo Rodriguez has signed a contract extension through 2019. Rodriguez originally signed a four-year contract when former Wolfsburg boss Felix Magath bought him from FC Zurich in 2012 for a reported €7.5 million.

Only 23-years old, Rodriguez has been capped 18 times for Switzerland and starred for his nation at the last World Cup, marauding up and down the left wing.

According to German sports newspaper Kicker, Rodriguez had a €25-30 million release clause under his old contract, but it’s unclear whether a similar clause exists in the new contract.

QUICK KICKS

The Asian Football Confederation claim that they will support Sepp Blatter in the upcoming FIFA presidential elections, instead of Jordanian and AFC vice president Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein. (REPORT)

Barcelona midfielder Xavi is doubtful for Sunday’s match against Atletico Madrid after suffering a hamstring injury. (REPORT)

Schalke 04 are close to signing Manchester City’s Serbian defender Matija Nastasic. (REPORT)

Oldham Athletic have decided at the last moment not to sign convicted rapist Ched Evans due to threats from the general public and sponsor pressure. (REPORT)

Burnley have secured the permanent transfer of 21-year-old former Manchester United defender Michael Keane. (REPORT)

Arsenal are closing in on signing 17-year-old Polish defensive midfielder Krystian Bielik. (REPORT)

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What do you think of these reports? Do you see Aguero featuring this weekend against Everton? How do you see Shaqiri fitting in to Inter’s squad? Do you see Rodriguez staying with Wolfsburg through 2019?

Share your thoughts below.

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