Marseille in surprise move for Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor
With Mario Balotelli looking likely to arrive at Eastlands, Manchester City will likely have to offload some strikers and Marseille are reportedly keen to take Emmanuel Adebayor at least on loan.
Marseille won the French title last season and are keen to keep the momentum going with a solid Champions League campaign. Coach Didier Deschamps is searching for quality recruits and French daily L'equipe reports that Manchester City striker Adebayor is high on his list of targets.
The Togo front man endured a troubled season last term, including the fatal attack on the Togo team at the African Nations Cup. Nonetheless, the 26-year-old still scored an impressive fourteen goals in 26 games for Manchester City .
However, City boss Roberto Mancini will come under pressure to send some players packing, given that he must announce a 25-man squad by September 1. There is enormous competition in attack with the likes of Carlos Tevez , Craig Bellamy, Robinho and Roque Santa Cruz already on the books before the possible arrival of Balotelli.
L'equipe reports that although Marseille are interested in taking Adebayor even on a loan deal, his 5.5 million euros per year wages could prove to be an obstacle.
Manchester City unwilling to meet £35 million asking price for Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko
Manchester City are on the verge of conceding defeat in the race to sign Edin Dzeko because of the refusal of Wolfsburg to reduce their £35 million asking price.
City, along with Juventus, have pursued the Bosnia international for much of the summer but have been unable to come to a compromise with the Bundesliga team, managed by the former England coach Steve McClaren, on their valuation.
The Premier League side are believed to be willing to pay no more than about £25 million for Dzeko, who has scored 56 goals in 94 games and helped Wolfsburg to the league title since moving to Germany three years ago.
Milner and O'Neill hold talks City are now preparing to turn to other targets — possibly including the Liverpool forward Fernando Torres and Barcelona’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic — despite expecting to complete a deal for the Inter Milan forward Mario Balotelli this week.
Talks between the two clubs over his £25 million move are expected to gather pace when both travel to Baltimore on Thursday, where the sides are due to meet on Saturday.
Hodgson says Fernando Torres will stay at Liverpool, Tevez wants him at Manchester City
Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson is confident that star striker Fernando Torres will stay an Anfield, while Carlos Tevez has called for the Spaniard to join him at Manchester City .
There has been constant speculation over whether 26-year-old Torres will stay at Liverpool with Manchester City and Chelsea rumoured to be ready to pounce on any sign of discontent.
However, Torres met with Hodgson earlier this week and the new Reds' boss commented, "He's told us he's looking forward to Monday.
"Looking forward to getting back to work and looking forward to playing for Liverpool next season.
"He's enjoying a well-deserved holiday, his first in three years."
However, Manchester City star Carlos Tevez has tried to rock the boat and urged Torres to join him at Eastlands. The Argentinian believes that City are on the verge of big success and wants Torres to be a part of it.
Fans' favourite Tevez told The Sun, "Torres would definitely make us better. He's one of the top strikers in the world and I would love to have him as a team-mate.
"Last year we ended up contesting the Champions League places. I have no doubt that this year we will achieve that aim and fight for the title.
"The club will pick up reinforcements and this will make us stronger.
"I know I've never regretted coming to City. It's the best decision I ever made."
Benfica have slapped a £33m price tag on Brazilian central defender David Luiz, who is wanted by Chelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid.Daily Mail
And it is City who are believed to be leading Real Madrid in the bidding war for Luiz. imscouting.com
Meanwhile, the Eastlands club will end their pursuit of Aston Villa midfielder James Milner and concentrate on offloading Craig Bellamy, Stephen Ireland and Roque Santa Cruz. Daily Star
City are ready to sell Santa Cruz to Marseille for less than half of the £18m they bought him for. Daily Mirror
Striker Jo could also be on his way out of Eastlands, with Blackburn eager to snap up the City striker.
Daily Mirror
BOLLOX OF THE DAY
Chelsea and Manchester United look set to miss out on Sami Khedira, with the Stuttgart midfielder on the verge of a Real Madrid move. imscouting.com
Former Real Madrid striker Raul will disappoint Tottenham and Newcastle by joining German side Schalke 04. imscouting.com
Maxi Rodriguez is ready to join the exodus from Liverpool, with his old club Espanyol keen to take the winger back to Spain in a bargain deal. Daily Mirror
Luke Young's exit from Aston Villa is a step nearer after the defender was omitted from the club's latest touring squad, putting Liverpool on alert. Daily Mirror
Ex-Portsmouth keeper David James is to meet Celtic this weekend to discuss a move to the Scottish giants, with Fulham also interested in the England player. Daily Mirror
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez is ready to snap up Dutch right-back Ronnie Stam in a £2m deal from champions Twente Enschede. Daily Mirror
Blackpool are losing their fight to sign Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley on loan - but boss Ian Holloway will make Maccabi Haifa defender Dekel Keinan his first summer signing. Daily Mirror
Monaco striker Eidur Gudjohnsen, who was on loan at Tottenham last year, is a target for Birmingham and Fulham. Daily Mirror
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will turn his attentions to German international central defender Per Mertesacker after being beaten to Sol Campbell's signature by Newcastle. The Gunners are confident a £10m offer can persuade Werder Bremen to part with the 25-year-old. Daily Mirror
West Bromwich Albion have had a £3m bid for midfielder Cheick Tiote rejected by the Ivorian international's Dutch club FC Twente. Daily Mail
Arsenal are poised to move for Italy's first-choice goalkeeper Federico Marchetti after Cagliari put the 27-year-old up for sale. The Sun
Several Premier League sides are tracking New York Red Bulls striker Macoumba Kandji after he played impressively against Tottenham and Manchester City in pre-season friendlies. (Daily Star)
Queens Park Rangers are set to make a bid for Reading winger Jobi McAnuff, with the Royals hoping to get £1.45m for the 28-year-old.Daily Mail
Leeds striker Luciano Becchio could be on his way out of Elland Road after the Championship club opted not to offer the Argentine an extension to his deal, which runs out next summer. Daily Mail
Derby boss Nigel Clough is ready to battle Bristol City and Burnley to sign Wigan striker Jason Scotland on loan. Daily Mirror
Sheffield United boss Kevin Blackwell is set to sign French right-back Jean Calve from French side Nancy. Daily Mirror
OTHER BOLLOX
Italian Roberto Donadoni has emerged as a surprise contender for the vacant Fulham manager's post. Daily Star
Sam Allardyce wants to end his managerial reign at Blackburn in two years' time and finish his career in charge of a national team. Daily Star
West Ham have offered midfielder Scott Parker a new contract worth £20m over five years in a bid to keep their prize asset at the club. Daily Mail
Kanu's agent is claiming Portsmouth want to give the veteran Nigerian forward a deal for another three years. Daily Mirror
In a list of unusual baby names over the last 10 years, Rooney is the 13th most popular, with parents choosing to pay tribute to Manchester United striker Wayne.
Daily Star
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