Tevez agents set for talks over Russian move
Carlos Tevez may yet get the move away from Manchester City he craves, because the Russian transfer window is still wide open.
Sources close to the AWOL striker suggest his representatives are now pursuing the possibility of a deal involving a Russian club, to get him playing again before the summer.
Wealthy FC Anzhi have money to burn as they are backed as they are by oil-industry millions, and Tevez’s agent will hold talks over the possibility of a move.
The Russian league's transfer window doesn’t close until February 24, and Anzhi are ready to test the market in England in pursuit of some glamorous signings to join the likes of Samuel Eto’o and Roberto Carlos.
Anzhi have already expressed an interest in Arsenal’s unsettled Andrey Arshavin, though the player himself is thought to be against any such move.
Tevez, though, is desperate to go, and Anzhi would be prepared to pay wages in excess of £250,000 a week to secure such a coup for the club.
The sticking point would be the fee of around £20million, with City insisting they will not allow the player to go out on loan.
If a deal can be struck, the striker could go to Russia before looking to switch to an Italian side in the future.
Tevez himself has appealed the latest fine slapped on him by his club, for failing to turn up to training.
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City admit they want "enormous talent" Hazard
Belgian superstar Eden Hazard wants to move to the Premier League this summer – and will choose between Manchester City and Chelsea.
The Lille forward has decided to knock back Arsenal’s interest, while Manchester United are not ready to meet the £30million-plus price tag.
Although Real Madrid are also still in the picture, it looks set to be a scrap between City and Chelsea as Hazard feels the English game suits his style of play best .
City manager Roberto Mancini has reportedly confirmed his interest in Hazard, one of the hottest prospects in Europe.
Quoted in French newspaper Le 10 Sport, Mancini said: “Hazard has an enormous level of talent and is able to play at the maximum level.
“But we know there is interest from the big European clubs and any deal will not be easy.”
Chelsea have had Hazard watched TWENTY times in the last 18 months and French scout Guy Hillion says the reports he's filed have been glowing in their praise of the player.
Hillion said: “I was at the Lille-St Etienne match and the player has interested Chelsea since Frank Arnesen was at the club.
“Personally, my reports have been excellent and I do think he can succeed in the Premier League.”
Arsenal started to track Hazard nearly three years ago but it appears the club may now struggle to land him, even though he was quoted recently as saying they had “more history” than some interested clubs.
Real Madrid are also watching developments, with French football legend and director of football Zinedine Zidane championing Hazard's cause.
But Real face uncertainty with boss Jose Mourinho set to quit Spain summer, with his sights set on a return to England.
Mancini has also admitted that he is keeping an eye on a number of players in French top division, Ligue 1, with Paris Saint-Germain defender Mamadou Sakho, 21, one the Italian has picked out.
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David Pizarro’s arrival at City looks set to be the first nail in the coffin of Owen Hargreaves’ career at the Etihad Stadium.
The Chilean midfielder completed his surprise loan move from Serie A side Roma on deadline day and will be with the Blues until the end of the season.
The 32-year-old international, who had also been linked with Juventus and Zenit St Petersburg, could also join on a £1m permanent deal in the summer.
Pizarro had a medical at the Bridgewater Hospital in Whalley Range yesterday, the same hospital where Hargreaves was pictured in August to trigger talk of a shock move to City.
It came after the former England midfielder had attempted to prove his fitness by posting a video on You Tube following Sir Alex Ferguson’s decision not to take the former England midfielder up on his offer to play for free after three injury-ravaged years at United.
Mancini, however, was convinced to take a gamble after a tip-off from Fabio Capello’s assistant Paulo Bandini.
And Hargreaves, who turned 31 last month, didn’t disappoint, announcing himself in spectacular style with a stunning 20-yard strike on his debut against Birmingham in the Carling Cup.
Mancini was suitably impressed with Hargreaves’ first 57 minutes in a City shirt to tip him for an England recall. But just three appearances since then – totalling 100 minutes in games against Aston Villa, Arsenal and United – has raised question marks over his long-term future at City.
And with his contract due to expire in the summer, the signing of Pizarro, who can play as a holding midfield or further forward, is a clear sign that Mancini doesn’t trust Hargreaves to be fit enough to step into the Blues midfield if the need arises in the hectic title run-in.
Mancini knows all about Pizarro from their time together at Inter Milan.
Born in the Chilean coastal city of Valparaiso, he started his career with Santiago Wanderers before moving to Europe with Udinese as a 19-year-old.
After helping them qualify for the Champions League in 2005, Mancini paid 10m euros, plus Goran Pandev, to take him to Inter.
He won the Serie A title, the Italian Super Cup and the Coppa Italia in his time at the San Siro.
But a lack of first-team opportunities prompted Luciano Spalletti, his coach at Udinese, to sign him for Roma for 6.5m euros a year later.
But injuries have restricted Pizarro, who has a contract at the Stadio Olympico until 2013, to just seven appearances this season prompting Mancini to turn to his former charge after missing out on top January target Daniele De Rossi.
Pizarro won’t, however, have happy memories of Manchester having played 90 minutes in Roma’s 7-1 defeat to United in the Champions League at Old Trafford in 2007.
Real Madrid plot swoop for City striker Aguero by selling Higuain to Chelsea
Real Madrid want to fund a multi-million pound bid for Sergio Aguero by selling Gonzalo Higuain to Chelsea this summer.
President Florentino Perez is desperate to sign the Manchester City striker and is willing to part with whatever money it takes to lure the Argentine to the Bernabeu.
To fund the ambitious offer, which City would be very reluctant to accept, Real want Higuain to move to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea had a £33million bid accepted for the 24-year-old after he was recommended by senior players in Andre Villas-Boas's squad but he rejected the move.
Higuain has scored 17 goals this season but Perez wants a marquee striker and is determined to go back for Aguero, who he missed out on in the summer.
Aguero has been a sensation form for Roberto Mancini's side, scoring 18 goals in his 28 games so far as City aim to win the league title for the first time in 44 years.
One potential pitfall could be that Atletico Madrid, who sold Aguero to City, asked for assurances that he would not be sold to rivals Real within two years. If their bold bid fails, Real are also considering Athletic Bilbao's Fernando Llorente.
It is likely to be a summer of change for Real, with manager Jose Mourinho likely to leave the Bernabeu, even if he beats Barelona to the title. Cristiano Ronaldo's future is also unclear, with Madrid fans frustrated by his attitude and recent performances.
OTHER BOLLOX
Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, 25, has emerged as a surprise transfer target for Juventus. The Italian giants want Suarez to replace 37-year-old veteran striker Alessandro Del Piero, who will leave the club in the summer. Daily Star
Manchester United target, 20-year-old Basel midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri, is still wanted by Zenit St Petersburg.
talkShite
Arsenal striker Andrey Arshavin, 30, is poised to turn down a Russian return with Anzhi Makhachkala, opting to remain at Arsenal.
Daily Mail
Striker Andre-Pierre Gignac, 26, claims he turned down a move to Everton during the transfer window, and insists he would only consider leaving Marseille for a club like Manchester United.
Metro
Jose Mourinho is ready to make a return as Chelsea manager - but he would want full control of team affairs. the Sun
Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas says he allows player power at the club because he is such a young coach. Daily Star
Alex Ferguson has been handed a boost before Manchester United's game against Chelsea on Sunday with Wayne Rooney, Nani and Phil Jones all likely to return. the Times
West Ham and Millwall have been told to cool celebrations on Saturday - or risk a repeat of the trouble at their last clash at Upton Park. the Sun
Liverpool may have let the January window pass them by but Kenny Dalglish already has plans in place for the summer, having been in contact with Udinese over a deal to bring Chile international utility man Mauricio Isla, 23, to Anfield.
talkShite
Wolves captain Roger Johnson says changing manager Mick McCarthy is not the answer to end the club's current bad run of form.
Birmingham Mail
Midfielder Andrew Surman, 25, admits the belief that has turned Norwich into a Premier League outfit will be key when they step out against a rejuvenated Bolton side at Carrow Road on Saturday.
Eastern Daily Press
Striker Louis Saha, 33, says Everton manager David Moyes saved his career by believing he could still perform in the Premier League despite being dogged by injuries.
Striker Nikica Jelavic, 26, insists he did not force his transfer to Everton despite claims from Rangers chairman Craig Whyte that he had no choice but to sanction their top goalscorer's exit on transfer deadline day.
Daily Express
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez believes the Latics have enough strength in their squad to drag themselves clear of relegation danger after deciding not to draft in reinforcements on transfer deadline day.
Wigan Observer
Arsenal fans are planning to use bin-bags to protest against the club's poor run of results. Fans will highlight the number of empty red seats at Emirates Stadium during Saturday's match against Blackburn by covering them with black bin liners.
Daily Mirror
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