Friday's B*ll*x

[Chinners]

Eager Joe Hart flies to Manchester City's pre-season US tour a week early to stake No 1 claim
Joe Hart has cut short his holiday as he begins his bid to become first choice keeper for Manchester City and England.
Hart has chosen to fly out to join Manchester City’s pre-season tour of the US a week ahead of schedule.
City told Hart and England teammate Gareth Barry they did not have to return until the New York leg of the tour next weekend.
But Hart is desperate to prove himself to Roberto Mancini and with Shay Given set to miss the start of the season through injury, the 23-year-old is heading for Portland, where City play a practice match this weekend.
Putting in the hard graft: Hart has cut his holidays short
City sent Hart on loan to Birmingham last season where he enjoyed an outstanding season.
He was part of the England squad for the World Cup Finals in South Africa but was the only one of Fabio Capello’s three goalkeepers not to play during the tournament.
But the Italian is a huge admirer of Hart and plans to give him the chance to establish himself as England’s undisputed first choice.

Robinho fits the bill for Shakhtar Donetsk as billionaire Ukrainians line up £20m bid for Manchester City flop
Shakhtar Donetsk's billionaire owner has confirmed he is keen on Manchester City outcast Robinho.
Sportsmail revealed the Ukrainian giants were considering a £20million bid for the Brazilian in an attempt to build a side competitive enough for the Champions League.
The club are also tracking Ajax hot shot Luis Suarez and Benfica's Oscar Cardozo, though convincing any of the World Cup stars to industrial Donetsk will be difficult.
World Cup star: Robinho looked rejuvenated for Brazil at South Africa 2010
Goodbye? Robinho is not expected to wear a City shirt again
However, Shakhtar chairman Rinat Akhmetov said: 'I do not eliminate the possibility of an acquisition. There is a discussion between me and Mircea (Lucescu, the coach) on how to strengthen the squad.
'But if we rose to the level when our fans were discussing the possibility of acquisition such players as Suarez or Robinho - our supporters have a perfect football taste, I should say. I like them both.
'We need a help now, in the Champions League. That is why I will respect Mircea Lucescu’s opinion. I myself would probably buy some of strong forwards. But if he says we do not need them, I will consider his opinion. I would prefer to create a sound competition in attack.'
Shakhtar believe Paraguay striker Cardozo would be the most achievable signing and would command just a third of the £100,000 a week after-tax wages demanded by Robinho.
The City forward would prefer to extend his loan at Santos and has already been lukewarm about a bid from Besiktas, while interest from AC Milan and Barcelona has failed to materialise into a formal offer.

Aleksandar Kolarov seals £17m Manchester City switch as Real Madrid stalk Nemanja VidicManchester City’s amazing summer spree continued last night when they had a £17million bid accepted for Lazio left back Aleksandar Kolarov.
The Serbia defender is set to become Roberto Mancini’s fourth signing of the close
season and take City’s outlay so far to £75m, following the arrivals of David Silva (£24m), Yaya Toure (£24m) and Jerome Boateng (£10m).
On the move: Aleksandar Kolarov (right) tussles with Thomas Muller during Serbia's 1-0 victory over Germany
And while City carry on spending, their fiercest rivals Manchester United could be in danger of losing Kolarov's Serbian team-mate
Vidic has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford since last year after reports emerged that his wife was unhappy living in Manchester, and new Real boss Jose Mourinho is said to have put the 28-year-old at the top of his list as he aims to add some defensive steel to his collection of Galacticos at the Bernabeu.
Iron man: Nemanja Vidic is wanted at the Bernabeu to shore up a defence that conceded 35 league goals last season
Vidic's agent Paolo Fabbri has refused to confirm that the defender will definitely be at United next season, and suggested only last month that a transfer might take place once the World Cup had finished.
'We have requested some time from Manchester United to think about things,' said Fabbri. 'Nemanja does not want to look at things now. Any eventual transfer will only take place after the World Cup.'
Jumping ship: Ashley Cole unleashed a foul mouthed-rant about his hatred for England before the World Cup - could Kolarov's transfer hasten a move to Spain?
Another knock-on effect from City's latest deal could be the transfer of Ashley Cole to Real Madrid.
The Spaniards had previously been linked with Kolarov and may now step up their efforts to prise England star Cole from Chelsea.
Kolarov impressed at the World Cup this summer, even though Serbia finished bottom of their group behind Germany, Ghana and Australia.
The tall, powerful defender can also play in midfield and is renowned for his long distance shooting and willingness to attack.
Nicknamed the Serbian Roberto Carlos due to his fondness for spectacular strikes,
Kolarov came to prominence as part of the Serbia team that reached the European
Under 21 Championship final in 2007.
His stunning long-range winner in the semi-final against Belgium helped win him a move to Serie A, where he earned hero status among Lazio fans.

TRANSFER BOLLOX
But Manchester United could be in danger of losing Kolarov's Serbia team-mate Nemanja Vidic, with the centre-back believed to be the subject of serious interest from Real Madrid. Daily Mail

Arsenal and Tottenham are set to lock horns in an £8m battle over 17-year-old Ipswich striker Connor Wickham. Daily Mail

Sevilla's Brazil international striker Luis Fabiano has welcomed talk of a summer move to Tottenham. the Sun

AC Milan are offering their Dutch striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar to Tottenham and Aston Villa as they try to raise money to scupper Manchester City's bid for Wolfsburg's Edin Dzeko. Daily Mail

Villa are weighing up an £8m bid for Dinamo Zagreb striker Mario Mandzukic. the Sun

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish is hoping to bolster his attacking options with the acquisition of AZ Alkmaar striker Moussa Dembele. Daily Mail

West Ham will complete a £1m deal for Lyon striker Frederic Piquionne on a three-year deal worth £40,000 a week. The Hammers also hope to land Nice forward Loic Remy on Friday after failing with an initial £11.5m bid. the Sun

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is close to sealing a 12-month loan deal for Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck.Daily Star

OTHER BOLLOX
Former Tottenham boss Martin Jol, who is now in charge at Ajax, has emerged as a late contender to take over at Fulham. Daily Mirror

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney will be offered an extra £30,000 a week at Old Trafford as part of a five-year contract, taking his weekly salary to £130,000. Daily Mail

Ex-United forward Eric Cuntona says he is "sure England will not qualify" for Euro 2012 or the 2014 World Cup because there are not enough English players competing in the Premier League. the Sun

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has revealed that many of his new players are "disenchanted" following a disappointing 2009-10 season. Daily Star

The ball used in the World Cup final between the Netherlands and Spain has sparked a bidding frenzy on eBay. By Thursday night the price had soared from £99 to £52,100, with the auction ending at 1700 BST on Friday. (the Sun)

[john@staustell]

That Huntelaar fella was one who made a big speech last summer about City being not big/good enough for a man of his own calibre (despite the fact no-one here wanted him). Now that everyone has realised he's shite, Real are trying to palm him off on Spuds and Villa FFS. Wonder how proud he is now?

[Goaters 103]

That Huntelaar fella was one who made a big speech last summer about City being not big/good enough for a man of his own calibre (despite the fact no-one here wanted him). Now that everyone has realised he's shite, Real are trying to palm him off on Spuds and Villa FFS. Wonder how proud he is now?

Somebody on here, can't recall who, very succinctly pointed out that Huntelaar would regret that statement.