Juve got a chance Mancini
JUVENTUS have put Roberto Mancini on their shortlist to lead them into next season.
The Manchester City boss joins Napoli's Walter Mazzari and Zenit St Petersburg chief Luciano Spalletti.
Mancini may be keen on returning to his homeland to take charge of one of the Serie A's biggest clubs.
The Italian giants, who have fallen on hard times in recent years, wanted England boss Fabio Capello but he inists he will see out his contract which runs till Euro 2012.
They are certain to replace current manager Gigi Del Neri at the end of a season that promised much but delivered little.
Juve's shortlist could be down to two as Spalletti says he will see out his contract at Zenit.
The Italian giants lie seventh in Serie A - a whopping 11 points behind a Champions League spot and struggling even for a Europa League berth.
But promise of big investment ahead of a move to a new stadium could lure Mancini away from City even if the season ends on a high.
Mancini is under enormous pressure to deliver silverware as well as a top-four spot - anything short of that and he is almost certain to be axed. Sun
Bayern Munich to offer Manchester City defender escape route
Bayern Munich want to offer Manchester City defender Jerome Boateng a return to Germany, according to talkSPORT.
Boateng, who has endured a succession of injuries during his first season in England, joined Manchester City from Bundesliga side Hamburg last summer.
However, reports now say that Bayern want to take the £10m right-back and turn him into a central defender, something which may interest the 22-year-old.
The German international has started 14 league games for Manchester City so far this campaign.
AC Milan plotting £12m raid on Man City
Manchester City full-back Alexander Kolarov is a £12million target for AC Milan.
The Serbia defender, 25, has been a regular at City since his £18m move from Lazio last summer. But Kolarov has not been the huge success the club were hoping for and Milan believe they may be able to whisk the player back to Italy.
Sporting director Ariedo Braida has been monitoring developments and is believed to have watched City's Europa League game with Dynamo Kiev.
Kolarov is a renowned dead-ball specialist, but his defending has sometimes let him down in the Premier League.
City do have the millions to absorb losses on players and sell them on if they feel they can strengthen the squad.
Kolarov's fellow left-back Wayne Bridge has been on loan at West Ham, who want him permanently, and it may mean City will look to buy again this summer if Milan can tempt the Serb.
With Kolarov believed to want assurances he still has a big future at Eastlands, Milan are planning to try to lure him away at the end of the season. Mirror
Espanyol and Manchester City strike partnership deal
Espanyol and English side Manchester City have agreed a partnership deal which could see many co-operative ventures between the two sides in the near future. Although finer details of the agreement have been kept under wraps from public viewing at this current time – with both parties refraining from openly discussing the terms – there has been a deal signed which was set in motion in late 2010.
Over the coming months more details are set to emerge from official sources, but early indications are from the Spanish side of the deal that a player could be arriving as soon as the summer, while a friendly game – to be held in El Cornellà El Prat – has also been mooted.
The English side had been discussing for sometime at boardroom level about a potential partnership with a club based in Spain, and though there had been no indication as to which exact team, information gathered by the Manchester club led them to the City of Barcelona, and Espanyol.
It’s understood that the first agreement arrived between the two teams on a sporting basis, with City keen to detract technical information from Espanyol’s coaching setup which has been extremely prosperous in recent years – with the fruits of such labour ripening this season. City had actually been heavily linked to Víctor Ruiz prior to his Napoli move, while the clubs have professional knowledge of each other regarding the transfer of Pablo Zabaleta in 2008. It was in 2005 when Espanyol brought the player to Spain, after he impressed in the FIFA World Youth Championship’s playing for Argentina as captain – a similar deal in the future could have heavy involvement from City, in terms of finance and at a footballing level.
As talks between the clubs progressed over recent months Espanyol insisted in an option whereby they would have preference over any potential outgoing from City – be it loan or permanent transfer. In turn City requested similar, and will also retain a first option on any Espanyol players who prosper. As well as big money transfers, City are looking to increase their profile in scouting circles around the world and it could be seen as an ideal move for both parties that any players on City’s books who perhaps need further education in a footballing sense could move to the Spanish side for experience.
The first knowledge set to be shared is the clubs current bases; with City handing over details of their current youth setup and burgeoning stars while Espanyol will comply by offering information on the current Spanish player market as a whole.
The English team are said to be extremely keen in offering their own players the opportunity to play abroad, as they’ve forged relationships with clubs in all different continents – namely South America – an area also known well to Espanyol, though now with the financial backing of the English side targets potentially out of reach are now viable acquisitions.
Though talks of a friendly have been tentative, there is an eagerness to have a get together of youth sides in Sant Adrià – the sports city in which several of Espanyol’s ‘Juvenil’ squads play.
Both managers, Mauricio Pochettino and Roberto Mancini, have obtained knowledge of the agreement and will be heavily involved in the footballing side of the process.
Though news of the deal may initially be of underwhelming nature for some City fans, they can be assured Espanyol’s youth system is one of the brightest in Spain at this current moment. The first team is scattered with fantastic potential ranging between 17 and 24, while the Cantera is blossoming at a rapid rate. Only recently Real Madrid amongst many others have shown an interest in Carlos Clerc, a hugely exciting left-sided winger who has been converted from a full-back in the ‘Juvenil’ section of Espanyol.
OTHER BOLLOX
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson hopes to add "two or three" players to his squad this summer, with Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, 25, Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder, 26, Bolton centre-back Gary Cahill, 25, and Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell, 19, likely to be his top targets. the Sun
Manchester United are tracking Ajax's Belgian centre-back Jan Vertonghen, 23, who is also being watched by Arsenal. Daily Mirror
Chelsea want to sign Dutch international right-back Gregory van der Wiel from Ajax for £12m. Daily Mirror
Newcastle are weighing up a move for Aston Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker, who is out of contract at the end of the season and has yet to agree an extension with the Midlands outfit. Daily Mail
Meanwhile, Aston Villa's French midfielder Robert Pires, 37, is considering offers from Australia, Qatar and the United States when his contract expires in May. Daily Mail
Birmingham midfielder Lee Bowyer, 34, is a summer target for Queens Park Rangers and Derby, with his contract due to expire at the end of the season. Daily Mail
Wolves are considering a move for free agent Jeremie Aliadiere, 28, to cover for the injured Kevin Doyle. The French striker was released by Middlesbrough last season and has been training with Arsenal while he tries to secure a new club. Daily Mail
Former Manchester United goalkeeper Roy Carroll is ready to sign a short-term deal with League Two strugglers Barnet. The 33-year-old, who played in Barnet reserves' 2-1 defeat by Tottenham on Tuesday, is a free agent after returning from Odense in Denmark. Daily Mail
Tottenham defender Jonathan Woodgate has suffered another setback after limping off during a friendly against Barnet with a calf problem. The 31-year-old is out of contract in the summer and the latest injury could leave his Spurs future in doubt. the Sun
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger faces an anxious wait to discover the extent of an injury suffered by Robin van Persie. The Gunners striker was forced off with a knee problem before half-time during the Netherlands' 5-3 win over Hungary in their Euro 2012 qualifying tie on Tuesday. Daily Mail
Liverpool's 20-year-old right-back Martin Kelly is unlikely to play again this season after suffering a recurrence of the hamstring injury that has kept him out of action for a month. Daily Mail
German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann endured a torrid time on his Arsenal return on Tuesday. The 41-year-old, who was coaxed out of retirement by Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, made a string of errors as Arsenal's reserve side lost 2-1 at Wigan. Daily Express
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