Manchester City look to replace Craig Bellamy with Angel di Maria
Craig Bellamy's long-term future at Manchester City has been clouded by the club's growing interest in Benfica winger Angel di Maria.
Argentina international Di Maria and his Benfica team-mate, the Paraguay forward Oscar Cardozo, have emerged as targets at Eastlands with the Champions League hopefuls aiming to recruit rising stars alongside more established names as they attempt to evolve their transfer strategy this summer.
City are already close to finalising an £11 million deal for Hamburg’s Germany defender Jerome Boateng and, while no firm moves have yet been made to lure Di Maria and Cardozo from Benfica, City’s technical director, Mike Rigg, has admitted that the two players are under observation at Eastlands.
Rigg said: "Di Maria and Cardozo are two excellent players, very strong in their respective positions, and highly-rated in the international market.
"It is logical that a club like Manchester City have to be attentive to players with such potential. Di Maria and Cardozo are two fantastic players."
Di Maria recently signed a new contract until 2015 at Benfica, but the 22 year-old is understood to have an escape clause of £35 million at Estadio da Luz. Manchester United and Arsenal have also been linked with the player.
A traditional left-winger, Di Maria would appear to pose a threat to Bellamy’s position at City should the club follow up their interest by making an attempt to sign him this summer.
Manager Roberto Mancini has shown little reluctance to overlook fans’ favourites in favour of emerging talent, with Shaun Wright-Phillips struggling to oust Adam Johnson from the City first-team, and Bellamy’s position would be under the microscope if Mancini captures a new left-sided player while strengthening his squad.
Midfielder Stephen Ireland and defender Micah Richards could also face difficult decisions over their future at City having failed to secure regular starting positions under Mancini.
Manchester City set to swoop for Villa's Ashley Young
Ashley Young is a target for Manchester City as Villa manager Martin O’Neill battles to hold on to his top stars.
City are ready to offload Craig Bellamy, Martin Petrov and Shaun Wright-Phillips in the summer and want to link Young on one wing with England hopeful Adam Johnson on the other.
Bellamy’s future has been thrown into doubt after high-profile rows at Eastlands.
The 24-year-old Young has been one of Villa’s most consistent performers this season.
But City know that a number of Villa players are concerned that the club are more likely to sell this summer than beef up a squad that reached the Carling Cup final and last four of the FA Cup.
O’Neill insisted yesterday that he has had no official contact from City and also bristled at suggestions that they may move for James Milner.
Villa plan to open new contract talks with Milner at the end of the season.
He has two years left on his £45,000-a-week contract at Villa Park after arriving from Newcastle in August 2008 in a club-record £12m deal.
Manchester United have also been linked with Milner, but O’Neill said of the speculation: “It is irksome at this stage of the season.
“It doesn’t do anyone any favours particularly because the player has had a fantastic time and is enjoying his football immensely here.
“he has had a really brilliant time, particularly since moving into the middle of midfield and I am delighted for him.
“James is still under contract with us and it’s a case of dampening fires that weren’t there in the first place.
“We want the best players to stay here at Aston Villa so we can keep the momentum going.”
TRANSFER BOLLOX
AC Milan are planning a £20m summer swoop for Manchester United's Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov. The Sun
Liverpool are preparing to ruffle the feathers of city rivals Everton with a move for the Toffees' midfielder Steven Pienaar.Daily Mail
Portsmouth goalkeeper David James will snub a summer move to West Brom in favour of playing what he described as "real football" in the Championship next season. On 10 April the Baggies sealed their promotion to the Premier League, while Pompey were relegated from the top flight. The Sun
Striker Eidur Gudjohnsen wants to stay at Tottenham next season. The Icelander is currently on loan from French side Monaco. The Sun
Bolton will place a £17m price-tag on defender Gary Cahill if he makes it into Fabio Capello's World Cup squad for this summer's tournament in South Africa.The Sun
Birmingham and Blackburn are battling it out with Italian side Roma for Estudiantes striker Mauro Boselli. The Sun
West Brom, who recently sealed their promotion back to the Premier League, say they will resist any offers for highly-rated midfielder Graham Dorrans this summer. Daily Mail
Wigan striker Hugo Rodallega is set to snub a move to the Premier League's elite as he feels he has a better chance of playing by joining a team outside the top four. Daily Mirror
Bolton boss Owen Coyle is tracking Stockport's teenage defender Sam Barnes. Daily Mirror
OTHER BOLLOX
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes that Everton boss David Moyes is the man to succeed him at Old Trafford. Apparently, Ferguson is ready to step down as United manager after one more season. The Sun
Italian side Juventus are ready to give Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez until the end of the season to decide if he would like to take over as their new manager. They originally set a deadline for the end of this week. Daily Mirror
Celtic are considering a move to make Nottingham Forest boss Billy Davies their next manager after the former Rangers player intimated he would be interested in returning to Scotland. The Times
Former England boss Steve McLaren looks set to reject an offer from West Ham to replace Gianfranco Zola as manager this summer. McLaren is currently managing FC Twente, who are just one win from this season's Dutch title, but has only one year left on his contract.Daily Mail
Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has opened talks to extend the contract of manager Chris Hughton, who this season led the club to promotion back to the Premier League after a season in the Championship. Daily Mail
Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard says the club need to buy four "quality" players if they are to challenge for the Premier League title next season. Daily Mail
Portsmouth are expected to announce that their debts total £119m when their accounts for the last financial year are released later on Wednesday. The Times
Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti is unsure whether to risk exacerbating striker Didier Drogba's groin injury by playing him in this weekend's match against Stoke as the title chase nears its climax. The Blues hold a one-point lead over second placed Manchester United with three games to play. The Independent
Liverpool striker Fernando Torres rates England's starting side as the second best in the world and believes they could be ready to go all the way in the World Cup, which begins on 11 June in South Africa. (Press Association)
England goalkeeping legend Peter Shilton says keeper Ben Foster must leave champions Manchester United if he wants to save his international career. "Foster was on a par with [West Ham's Robert] Green a while back but he is not playing first-team football anymore and that is going to count against him," said Shilton. Daily Mail
Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce has given midfielder Morten Gamst Pedersen, whose contract expires this summer, until the end of today to decide if he wants to sign a new deal at Ewood Park.Daily Mirror
Developers of the official 2010 World Cup video game seem to think England may struggle during the tournament proper, which begins on 11 June in South Africa. Having factored in the high altitude conditions at certain venues, players of the game will discover that the England side have been programmed to feel the energy-sapping effects sooner than some of their virtual opponents.The Independent