City players turn on Tevez over striker's continuing transfer saga
Three senior players at Manchester City have told manager Roberto Mancini that they do not want Carlos Tevez to be captain of the side if he returns next season, delivering the first evidence that the interminable uncertainty over the Argentine's future is damaging his popularity.
Tevez's strongest public hint yet of his intention to return to Eastlands next season was accompanied at the weekend by a claim that he had been offered – and rejected – a staggering £250,000-a-week salary. Tevez is already City's highest paid player and the dressing room's questioning of why he should lead the side despite his apparent indifference about his future at the club suggests that he now needs to make a decision.
Though Tevez's contribution far outstripped that of any team-mate last season and the player has had to deal with an enforced separation from his daughters, who live with their mother in Buenos Aires, City's transfer-market activity this summer hinges on whether he will stay.
Vincent Kompany, the club's player of the year, who appeared with the FA Cup at the symbolic press conference which preceded City's open-top tour of Manchester two weeks ago, is seen as the more obvious choice as captain, though City's players have made no secret of the importance of Tevez to the side.
Even if he does return, Tevez has positioned himself at odds with the Eastlands board. He characterised himself at the weekend as a player with a direct line to the club's owner, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, whom he claims directly offered him the new deal to stay at Eastlands after the FA Cup final win over Stoke City.Independent
Bayern Munich remain confident they will be able to agree a fee with City for Jerome Boateng. Though City have signalled they do not want to sell, the Bayern chief executive, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, has confirmed the defender is on the club's radar and he hopes the clubs will be able to finalise a deal.
"I believe that there is a chance that we will come to an agreement. We will have to play a waiting game and this is not something which will be resolved in the next two or three days," Rummenigge said. City would want around €20m (£17.7m) for Boateng. They paid £10.4m to take him from Hamburg last year. Bayern's price is closer to €12.5m (£11m). Independent
Buying Tevez would cost a massive £100m
Carlos Tevez is tied to Manchester City with a £100million pair of golden handcuffs.
That staggering figure is the amount it would cost in transfer fee and wages to prise Tevez away from Eastlands this summer.
Tevez dreams of moving to Real Madrid, Barcelona or one of the Milan giants to be reunited with his family, who currently live in Argentina.
However, City are adamant they do not want to sell their skipper and would want a fee of around £50million if they were forced to admit they could no longer hang on to him.
The Blues feel that is the going rate for a world-class striker such as Tevez, after Chelsea splashed out that much to buy Liverpool's Fernando Torres in January.
Tevez, 27, is an even hotter property than Torres as he has been the Premier League’s top scorer over the last two seasons, bagging 43 goals in 66 appearances.
City committed themselves to spend over £64m to land Tevez two years ago and would not let him leave on the cheap.
They believe they are in a strong position because the Argentina international still has three years left to run on the five-year deal he signed when he joined from Manchester United in July 2009.
Tevez is understood to be paid around £250,000-a-week at Eastlands, which would set back any prospective buyer a cool £48million over the length of a four-year contract.
The £100m transfer package means Tevez's dream clubs would either be unable or unwilling to afford him - which is partly why City are relaxed about his latest claims from Argentina that he isn’t coming back.
Removal men have already cleared out his home in south Manchester, but it is understood this is merely because the 12-month lease on the property is up.
City can also now provide Tevez with Champions League football, which was a factor behind Juventus’ failed bid last month, and he admitted after winning the FA Cup that it was a tempting reason to stay.
The South American also knows he is City’s star player - a status he never achieved at Old Trafford despite all his goals - and that he is worshipped by Blues fans.
City’s £20m Mat
Midfielder Juan Mata could be heading for Manchester City in a £20m deal.
The Valencie wideman has been recommended to boss Roberto Mancini by fellow countryman David Silva.
Mata, 23, who began his career in Real Madrid's reserves, has played for his country at all levels from Under-16 to the senior side.
He has been tracked by a number of Premier League sides but City would have the edge in cash terms and also because of his friend Silva.
City could also rivals neighbours United for Arsenal’s French midfielder Samir Nasri, who has failed to convince the Gunners that he will stay at the Emirates.
Nasri, out of contract next year, would be a cheaper option than Mata and could be tempted by the bigger salaries on offer at Eastlands.
Arsenal and Manchester City go head-to-head in bargain battle for Lille's £8m Gervinho
Arsenal are locked in a straight fight with Manchester City for the bargain £8million signature of Lille forward Gervinho.
The 24-year old will decide his future after returning from international duty tomorrow and is known to favour a move to the Emirates.
But City’s late intervention has left Arsene Wenger fretting over whether he can secure his main attacking target.
Sportsmail understands an Eastlands delegation has travelled to France in the past fortnight to explore the possibility of landing a striker whose form has been closely monitored by Arsenal ever since he joined Lille two years ago.
With Roberto Mancini demanding reinforcements throughout his squad, in readiness for a Champions’ League campaign next season, City are prepared to go head-to-head with Arsenal for the Ivory Coast striker.
Gervinho has become one of Europe’s hottest properties, after inspiring Lille’s first French League title for over 50 years, and is on the market after refusing to renew a contract that has just 12 months to run.
Lille will reluctantly listen to offers of around £8million, and Wenger believed he had the field to himself after the free-scoring frontrunner stipulated he would only consider joining a club in the Champions’ League.
Newcastle, Everton, Liverpool and Tottenham had all enquired about him but were forced to withdraw after falling short of requirements.
City are lurking with ominous intent, though, and Arsenal fear their financial muscle could yet prove decisive.
Encouragingly for Wenger, sources close to Gervinho, who can also operate on the flanks, say he is an admirer of Arsenal’s free-flowing football and considers joining them his ‘dream’ move.
As he prepared for Ivory Coast’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier with Benin in Accra, he said: ‘I love the Premier League, but I have interest from Spain and Germany as well. There is a decision to be made, and I will make it in the next few days.’
With Liverpool out of the running, they could turn to a cheaper option in Cameroon’s Benjamin Moukandjo. The 22-year old, who can also play as a striker or winger, is available for less than £3million, following Monaco’s relegation from the top flight.
Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta has given his verdict on Argentina's controversial 4-1 defeat against Nigeria last week.
The left-back was named captain for Wednesday's friendly in Abuja which is under investigation by FIFA for irregular betting patterns, specifically relating to the scoring a fifth goal.
With Nigeria leading 4-0 in the 86th minute, it is understood that there was a surge of bets on a fifth goal being scored.
“
If FIFA do their research then they will take action
”There were five minutes of time added on, but the referee Ibrahim Chaibou eventually played more than that and awarded Argentina a penalty in the 98th minute, which was duly dispatched by Mauro Boselli.
Although Zabaleta would not be drawn on the issue, he admitted that he was baffled by some of Chaibou's decisions.
"I do not know, or want to get into this business of betting," said the 26-year-old. "If FIFA do their research then they will take action.
"I can only say that it was embarrassing - we are talking about a game between two big teams, which was very important.
"The referee did things that I could not understand and for a game of this point we need referees in very good condition."
Spain boss Vicente Del Bosque impressed with Manchester City star David Silva
Former Real Madrid boss is pleased with the midfielder’s performance last week and also believes that their wealth of options in attack is very good for Spanish football
Find the best odds and bet on the Premier League. Spain national team coach Vicente Del Bosque has expressed his delight at David Silva’s performance against the United States in an international friendly last week.
The Manchester City attacker provided two assists in the European and world champions’ comprehensive 4-0 victory on Saturday evening and had an impressive game throughout.
Silva, who joined City from Valencia last summer, has had a productive 2010-11 campaign at club level too, and Del Bosque is happy with the 25-year-old’s display in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
"Silva has been playing very well at Manchester City," the Spain boss is quoted as saying by PA.
"He has looked very comfortable, very active, which is what we ask of a player who plays in that position. He played an excellent match."
Spain’s next game is against South American nation Venezuela at the Jose Pachencho Romero on Tuesday.
Competition for an attacking berth is fierce, with David Villa, Fernando Torres, Fernando Llorente and Alvaro Negredo all in the frame, and Del Bosque is pleased at having so many talented goalscorers.
"Now we have much competition in the forward positions - Villa, Torres, Negredo, Llorente and other guys who could be here,” enthused the 60-year-old.
“This is a good time for Spanish football, for Spanish sport in general."
WAG OF THE DAY
OTHER BOLLOX
Manchester United have told Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho no amount of money could persuade them to part company with 23-year-old striker Javier Hernandez. Daily Mail
Inter Milan are in pole position to sign Brazilian midfielder Kaka, 29, from Real Madrid, though Chelsea remain interested. talkSPORT
Italy's World Cup-winning defender Marco Materazzi, 37, could be set for a one-season swansong at QPR. Metro
Tottenham are preparing to make a move for Real Madrid midfielder Lassana Diarra, 26. talkSPORT
Barcelona are trying to sign Cesc Fabregas, 24, in a cash-plus-player deal that is worth less than when they tried to buy him from Arsenal last summer. Daily Mirror
Aston Villa's Ashley Young, 25, will complete a £16m switch to Manchester United this month, but Villa will fight to hang on to Liverpool target Stewart Downing. Daily Mirror
Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson, 20, is edging closer to £20m move to Liverpool. The deal could be done before Henderson joins up with his England Under-21 colleagues on Wednesday. the Guardian
Liverpool are also set to move for Blackburn's 19-year-old centre-back Phil Jones, who has a £16m release clause in his contract. Manchester United and Arsenal are also interested in Jones. the Sun
Sunderland are willing to let Henderson go and aim to spend the money on Manchester United's Danny Welbeck, Darron Gibson and Wes Brown. Daily Mirror
The Black Cats are also lining up a £10m bid for Tottenham striker Peter Crouch who turned down a chance to move to Wearside two years ago. Daily Star
Everton are keen on signing United striker Welbeck on loan. The 20-year-old spent last season on loan at Sunderland. Footybunker.com
Wolves and QPR are leading the chase to sign West Ham's England defender Matthew Upson, 32. talkSPORT
Stoke are considering a move for Marseille's 23-year-old Burkina Faso midfielder Charles Kabore. talkSPORT
Turkey manager Guus Hiddink will return to Chelsea for a second spell as manager - and wants to hijack Manchester United's move for Inter Milan star Wesley Sneijder. Daily Mirror
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich will have to stump up £15m in compensation and wages to secure Turkey coach Guus Hiddink's services for next season. the Times
Former Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti, reportedly a target for Aston Villa, has declared that he intends to take a year off. La Stampa (in Italian)
Mark Hughes IS a possible future Aston Villa manager, just days after the club appeared to back away from him following his exit from Fulham.Daily Mirror
Former England manager Steve McClaren is also in the picture to succeed Gerard Houllier at Villa Park and could be given a £30m transfer pot. Daily Star
Fulham want Martin Jol and Chris Hughton to become their new management team. Daily Mail
Arsenal must commit to large-scale investment in the summer transfer market before playmaker Samir Nasri will commit to a new deal at the club. the Guardian
Tottenham defender William Gallas has claimed Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was wrong to let him leave the Emirates. Metro
England legend Sir Geoff Hurst fears "England will never win the World Cup again in my lifetime". Hurst, 69, who scored a hat-trick to help England win the 1966 World Cup with a 4-2 victory over West Germany, believes the players no longer see the national side as a priority.Daily Mirror
SUPEREJACULATING BOLLOX
Ryan Giggs: cheating Manchester United star 'could become UK's Tiger Woods'
Sponsors linked to Ryan Giggs could soon abandon the embattled Manchester United star, leaving him becoming Britain’s version of Tiger Woods, experts say.
The winger, 37, has been the subject of intense speculation about his private life in recent weeks after claims of extramarital affairs with two different women, including his sister-in-law, and his use of the controversial privacy injunction.
As the controversy continued amid unconfirmed reports Britain’s 20th-richest sportsman has been involved with a third unnamed woman, marketing experts claimed his career could follow that of the golf star.
Woods divorced from his wife, Elin Nordegren, after it emerged he had slept with several women, which also battered his clean-cut image and caused some sponsors to abandon him.
But while Woods’ career is still expected to continue, marketing experts warned Giggs’ £34 million fortune was under threat as he was in the twilight of his career.
At the weekend, Giggs’ injunction, taken out earlier this year, came under renewed scrutiny after allegations emerged that the married father of two, conducted an extra – marital affair with his sister – in – law, Natasha Giggs.
Mrs Giggs, 28, is married to the former Welsh international's younger brother, Rhodri.
A Sunday newspaper claimed that she met the footballer in a nightclub in March 2003, before she married his brother, and that the affair had continued until April this year.
She announced the alleged affair through Max Clifford, the publicist, after learning of Giggs' relationship with Imogen Thomas, a former Big Brother reality television star. He had not told his wife, Stacey about that affair.
It remains unclear if she was aware of the latest claims.
Marketing experts said firms would now be hesitant to become involved with him after building his reputation over a glittering career as being a happily married family man.
He is sponsored by Reebok, reportedly for £20m, Swiss watch firms Patek Philippe, Cyma, car manufacturer Citroen and phone company Saudi Telecom.
Nigel Currie, of the consultancy Brand Rapport, said the latest developments were “extremely damaging from Giggs’s point of view”.
“What he had going for him from a marketing perspective was his seemingly clean-cut personal image,” he told the Daily Mail.
“A little like Tiger Woods, he had this untouchable air about him, almost Mr Perfect – he was seen as a model professional and a really good guy.
“Once that image goes, he’s likely to find his whole unique selling point has gone, too.”
Giggs is set to sue social networking site Twitter after users leaked his identity of being behind one of the injunctions.
His identity only become came out after John Hemming, a Liberal Democrat MP, named him in Parliament, and his words could be reported under the rules of Parliamentary privilege.
The courts have refused appeals to lift the injunction, despite the footballer's identity circulating on the internet.
Despite his alleged infidelity, it has been reported that Giggs’ wife is standing by her husband.
