Manchester City finally ready to announce Manuel Pellegrini as their new manager
Deal will be confirmed in the next 24 hours - then Mancini's successor will be asked whether Carlos Tevez should stay or go
Manuel Pellegrini is set to be confirmed as Manchester City boss in the next 24 hours – and his first job will be to decide Carlos Tevez’s future.
Deposed Premier League champions City are finalising the remaining details of Pellegrini’s contract and will be ready to announce his appointment as the sacked Roberto Mancini's successor imminently.
Club chiefs have been speaking to Pellegrini for weeks and have been hammering out the length of his deal, with City believed to favour an initial two years with the option of a third.
Pellegrini has been brought up to speed on City’s summer transfer targets and will be given the final say on what happens with Tevez.
The 29-year-old has just 12 months left on his current £196,000-a-week deal and City have put talks about his future on hold until former Real Madrid coach Pellegrini is appointed.
Tevez, also linked with Liverpool as a potential replacement for Luis Suarez, is away on holiday.
He is due to have talks with City’s new manager and their sporting director Txiki Begiristain when he returns later this month.
Pellegrini will decide whether to cash in on Tevez now, with AC Milan and Italian rivals Juventus both keen, open talks with him over a new deal or merely keep him for the remainder of his contract.
Tevez, who fell out spectacularly with Mancini, is believed to be open minded about those talks with Pellegrini.
The former City skipper has scored 58 goals in 107 Premier League appearances in his four years at the Etihad and would consider staying if Pellegrini feels he still had a big part to play.
The Tevez camp have not held any concrete talks with Milan or Juve, despite intense speculation in Italy he will head to Serie A this summer.
AC Milan back in for 'nasty' Manchester City forward Carlos Tevez, ZZzzzzzz
AC MILAN vice-president Adriano Galliani says the club have renewed interest in Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez.
Tevez, 29, has a year left on his contract and City have yet to open negotiations with him over an extension.
“Carlitos won’t betray me,” said Galliani, who rejected talk that Stephan El Shaarawy could move in the opposite direction.
“I like Carlitos a lot, because he’s a ‘nasty’ player. His wages? There will be no problems with Tevez.” Express
Manchester City Eye Move For Borussia Dortmund Forward Robert Lewandowski
The Premier League runners-up are looking to add the Polish striker to their squad this summer.
Manchester City have entered the race to sign Borussia Dortmund’s want away striker Robert Lewandowski according to Goal.com.
The Polish striker has become a target for Manchester City after moves to Bayern Munich and Manchester United have reportedly stalled.
Yesterday, Borussia Dortmund announced that Lewandowski would not be allowed to join Bayern this summer and will instead have to honour his contract.
Lewandowski has only one year remaining on his contract and it was thought that the Champions League runners-up would have cashed in on him this summer.
However, Dortmund’s stance has let in the likes of City, who was looking for a new striker following the departure of Mario Balotelli in January.
City see the search for a striker as this summers top priority and Napoli striker Edison Cavani is seen as their number one target.
However, the striker is one of the most sort after players in Europe at the moment, with Chelsea and Real Madrid also looking into signing Cavani.
The Uruguay international is said to favour a move to Real Madrid or Barcelona over a move to Premier League, meaning City may have to step up their attempts to sign Lewandowski.
GOLDEN BOLLOX 11-6-1971
Ian Bowyer, so long the target of the Maine Road boo-boys joins Leyton Orient after five years with City. Despite Bowyer coming through the club’s youth ranks, for many, his face just didn’t fit, which was a pity for the player and, considering the successes he later had with Nottingham Forest, a shame for City. His goal-scoring record from midfield was phenomenal with 17 in 57 starts as good a record as anyone to play for the club in that position. What he may have gone on to achieve for the Blues can only be guessed.
Take your pick: Edinson Cavani must choose between City and Chelsea
The £50m Napoli striker must decide between Manchester and London, Pellegrini and Mourinho, The Etihad or Stamford Bridge.
It’s a straight shootout between City and Chelsea for Europe’s most wanted hitman Edinson Cavani.
The £50m Napoli striker must decide between Manchester and London, Pellegrini and Mourinho, The Etihad or Stamford Bridge.
Here MuEN Sport weighs up the key factors that will be crossing Cavani’s mind – and discovers why it will be such a difficult decision.
Wages
Cavani would have the chance to be among the top earners in Premier League at either club.
Players like Yaya Toure and Carlos Tevez are on in the region of £250,000 a week at The
Etihad, while John Terry and Frank Lampard have always been among the highest earners in England.
Money is of little object to either Sheikh Mansour or Roman Abramovich, so the finances on offer to Cavani should have little bearing on where he decides to go. Rather it could be a case of who is willing to pay more when it comes to his fee, with Napoli sure to want to spark a bidding war.
Potential
Both clubs will be expected to challenge for the Premier League title – and Cavani’s
decision on where to go could ultimately have a bearing on who is crowned champions.
Along with United, City and Chelsea will be in competition for all the leading domestic prizes.
Perhaps the deciding factor will be potential in Europe. While City have disappointed in the Champions League in recent years, Chelsea have won back-to-back European trophies.
But Manuel Pellegrini is expected to improve City’s
fortunes in Europe and came within seconds of leading unfancied Malaga to the Champions League semi finals last season.
Manager
The 26-year-old has already revealed he would be interested in working with both men.
The question is which one will suit his game more?
Mourinho has traditionally liked to build a team around a powerful target man and sees Cavani as the ideal successor to Didier Drogba, who is still to be replaced at Chelsea.
The Uruguayan need only look at the way Drogba’s game developed under Mourinho to know what he could do if working with the Special One.
But Pellegrini has earned an impressive reputation in Spain for his attacking approach – and the signings of Fernandinho and Jesus Navas point to City’s intent to play with flair next season.
Squad
It’s another close call. Both City and Chelsea have squads that are among the best in Europe and are only set to get better this summer.
City have already added to a stellar line up with Fernandinho and Jesus Navas. If they could make Cavani their third signing of the summer it would be an ominous statement of intent for their Premier League rivals.
With players like David Silva, Sergio Aguero and Yaya Toure already at the Etihad, Pellegrini would expect to have the resources available to challenge in all competitions.
Chelsea look like more of a work in progress – but they had the Premier League’s outstanding midfield trio Juan Mata, Oscar and Eden Hazard last season.
What they lacked was a truly world-class forward to finish off much of their good work.
Location
It’s a case of the north/south divide and there can be no denying the lure of the capital for foreign imports.
Cavani will have heard all about the bright lights and culture of London, but perhaps not so much of what Manchester can offer.
Still, he only need look at players like Aguero, Silva and Yaya Toure to see that there is more to England than just one city.
Manchester has its own thriving music and cultural scene, as well as the beautiful scenery of its leafy suburbs, which have been more than enough for some of the world’s leading players.
One for the Future: Karim Rekik – Manchester City
In the latest of our ‘One for the Future‘ series here at Touchline Talk, we profile a Manchester City youngster who looks set to make his breakthrough.
It’s difficult for young players to make an impact at Man City.
After all, the club is so wealthy that it can go out and sign almost whichever player it wants each transfer window.
City’s academy, which at one time was lauded as one of the most productive in the country, has not been represented on the Eastlands pitch enough over recent years, but all that may be about to change.
Technically, Karim Rekik is not a graduate of City’s youth system.
He joined the club at the age of 16 from Dutch side Feyenoord, but he has been developed over the last two years in Manchester and if he unlocks his potential, the Citizens will have to take much of the credit.
One of the benefits of City’s riches for talented young players is that they are not thrust into the limelight too soon.
There is a plethora of big name stars to take the weight off their shoulders, meaning the club can introduce the youngsters as and when they see fit, without too much expectation placed on them.
However, one of Roberto Mancini’s failings in his trophy-laden spell in Manchester was the lack of young players who came through under him.
He was seemingly unwilling to give them a decent chance, with the likes of John Guidetti, Denis Suarez and Rekik among those sidelined.
One of Manuel Pellegrini’s main tasks upon replacing Mancini will surely to be ensure the path is open for the young players to make their breakthrough at City, which is easier said than done.
He will have to find the right time to introduce them, and find the right balance between ensuring the team continues to win and the youngsters continue to develop.
City are desperate to bring through young players, though, as their acquisition of Rekik proved.
Many pundits have heavily criticised their decision to hoover up some of Europe’s best talent over recent years, but it could save them a lot of money over the next few years.
Rekik was signed for a small fee as a 16-year-old, and immediately slotted seamlessly into Man City’s development teams.
The Dutchman of Tunisian descent was never going to break straight into the senior set-up, but he was earmarked very much as a star of the future by the Citizens.
As a ball-playing centre-back with composure and who could also play at left-back, Rekik was always going to be appealing for City, who relished the opportunity to further develop this rough diamond.
Over recent years, they have done that.
Rekik is now a confident 18-year-old, and although he lacks first-team experience, he seems ready to make the step up.
He has consistently impressed for City’s development sides, and even made his first-team debut within months of joining, against Birmingham City in the League Cup.
Rekik has only played once so far in the Premier League – against Reading last December – but he is still physically developing and just waiting for his big chance.
He now stands at 6ft 1in, and has enjoyed Championship loan spells with Portsmouth and Blackburn Rovers over the last two seasons.
Next season, he may need another loan away from Eastlands in order to get into a regular rhythm of first-team football, and the Championship is his most likely destination.
Despite all the Dutchman’s promise, he remains very much one for the future, with City’s resources meaning they do not have to rush him.
At international level, he has represented Holland’s under-17 and under-19 sides, while he won the European Championships with the under-17s.
His youth career couldn’t have gone much more smoothly, but now is the chance to force his way into the senior reckoning.
A strong display against Reading may have speeded up that process, and now he will have to prove himself all over again to Pellegrini and prove he does not need to strengthen in his position.
Whether it will all work out for Rekik remains anyone’s guess, but his talent can not be questioned and he should be a star of the future.
Many questioned his wisdom in moving to City as a 16-year-old, none more so than Feyenoord general manager Eric Gudde.
After it appeared highly likely the Citizens would see off the likes of Juventus and AC Milan to land the teenager, Gudde was reported by the Daily Telegraph as saying: “Even players who leave Holland when they have built a career here and played for the national side find it difficult abroad.
“Signing a 16-year-old is simply stupid, for all involved.”
Rekik will be hoping to ram those words down Gudde’s throat in the coming years, but next season will be a huge one for the Dutchman as he looks to prove his doubters wrong.
New Man City signing Navas excited by Silva link-up
New Manchester City signing Jesus Navas is thrilled about the prospect of linking up with Spain team-mate David Silva to bring more silverware to the Etihad Stadium.
The winger sealed his move from Sevilla to City last week for a total of £22.9m and is currently in New York with the national side, preparing for a friendly with the Republic of Ireland tomorrow.
The world and European champions will then travel to Brazil to compete in the Confederations Cup, which begins on 14 June.
Navas told reporters: “I really wanted to complete the move. They showed a lot of interest in signing me and I’ve always wanted to play there. I was certain I wanted to move there and I’m very happy it’s done.
“I’m going to a great team full of world-class players that plays a style of football I love. I like the way football is played in England, the speed, the style of play, the high rhythm.
“I’m going to play with David Silva and I’m excited about winning important trophies.”
The 27-year-old has only ever played for Sevilla and said he would love to return to his long-time home ground in the future while playing for City.
“I hope that one day I will be able to play with City at the Sanchez Pizjuan in a Champions League game, it would be an incredible experience,” he said.
Spain scraped a 2-1 victory over Haiti last Saturday but Navas does not think fans should be concerned about the team’s form, ahead of the Confederations Cup.
He said: “It was a strange match because of the heat and the humidity. Even though they finished they game better than us, it was another opportunity for us to get in the right shape for the Confederations Cup.
“I think we’re going to be firing on all cylinders when we get to Brazil.”
Jack Rodwell's England handling shames Roy Hodgson, Stuart Pearce and the Football Association
When England’s troubled power brokers gather for the post-mortem on the stiffening cadaver of the Under-21s’ brief and traumatic stay at the European Championship in Israel, the revealing case of Jack Rodwell must pepper their conversation and shape their conclusions.
Rodwell represents many of the hopes and fears, missed opportunities and misuse that define a generation.
England will not improve in the short term or long term unless they learn the lesson of Rodwell.
For all Stuart Pearce’s anger at losing players to the England first team, the Under-21s manager could have selected the Manchester City player, who was eventually scrambled for senior duty by Roy Hodgson only when Tom Cleverley fell lame.
So England went into action in Israel with less accomplished midfielders like Jason Lowe and Jonjo Shelvey partnering the captain Jordan Henderson in the first Group A challenge against Italy, a game when England’s inability to keep the ball was painfully highlighted.
Rodwell would have done better. He certainly could not have done any worse.
Nobody can deny the talent of a fit, in-form Rodwell: two-footed, a fluid force from box to box, decent tackler and blessed with a good shot and huge natural stamina.
Still only 22, his career has been stymied partly by nature’s cruel tricks, notably a succession of hamstring injuries, which most recently ambushed him at Villa Park on March 4. He had just played well against Chelsea, and was shining against Villa.
The Football Association’s medical people need to work more closely with City’s in devising a programme that tackles Rodwell’s problem.
Pooling knowledge of Rodwell, who has played through the England age groups, would be a start.
Injury’s maddening interruption is only one reason for Rodwell’s arrested development.
His progress as an international player has not been handled well.
Somebody at the FA, Hodgson really, should have sat down with Rodwell a year ago and talked of his international “pathway” to use the FA’s beloved buzzword.
Work hard for more first-team action at City, play in this Under-21 competition, and push on for a possible place in the 23 for the 2014 World Cup – if England qualify.
Instead, one of the most gifted midfielders around plays only seven minutes for his country this summer, coming on for Theo Walcott in Rio.
Seven minutes. A 22-hour round-trip on a plane for seven minutes.
How can that help Rodwell’s maturing as a player? He could have had 270 minutes in Israel.
Before deciding who gets an international cap, somebody at the FA needs to put on a thinking cap.
Many oft-stated problems bedevil England, including flaws in the academy flair factory, the wasteland from 18 to 21 for many English players, to a lack of hunger in some starlets softened by an over-generous first contract and certain coaches’ distrust of inventive risk-takers.
But the lack of proper planning behind Rodwell’s international deployment borders on the scandalous.
There remains an amateurish streak at the FA, a lingering “it’ll be all right on the night” credo that ensures stage-fright when the curtain rises at tournaments.
The FA needs to consider the timeline of England’s snubbing/selecting of Rodwell.
In late April, Pearce contacted Rodwell as he finished his hamstring rehab.
Pearce asked him: “How you going? What are your thoughts?”
Rodwell replied: “I’m available if you need me.”
On May 14, Pearce announced his squad, and was quizzed about Rodwell’s exclusion.
“Rodwell might have made us stronger but it’s that gamble,” Pearce said.
“Jack’s been really stop-start with his injury this season and the last thing we want him to do is take him to a tournament and that it gives up on him again.
"I think it was a wise call but a tough call because I know what Jack can do for us.
The likes of Lowe have done well for us, Henderson especially and Nat Chalobah and Josh McEachran have emerged this season.”
Neither Chalobah nor McEachran started against Italy.
Rodwell had ended the season encouragingly.
In the fortnight preceding his Under-21 omission, he appeared for City against Swansea from the bench, started against West Bromwich Albion, playing 76 minutes, and came on for 21 minutes against Wigan at Wembley in the FA Cup final.
Five days after Pearce’s cold shoulder, Rodwell began against Norwich. He scored twice.
To confirm the desperately uncoordinated nature of England’s approach, on May 16 Hodgson announced his squad for the friendlies with the Republic of Ireland and Brazil.
Rodwell was overlooked. His season seemed over but he kept himself in shape.
Four days later, Hodgson called him up because of doubts over Cleverley.
Rodwell went from unwanted by the Under-21s to summoned by the seniors.
Rodwell could be forgiven for feeling confused.
A “good guy, good player” to borrow Roberto Mancini’s phrase, Rodwell sometimes looks weighed down with lack of belief.
David Moyes did not always use him enough at Everton. Mancini too. Pearce ignored him here.
Hodgson disregarded him then granted him 420 seconds at Maracana.
English football boasts too few home-grown individuals of substance to be so casual in its handling of such a genuine prospect as Jack Rodwell.
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[/spoiler]GOLDEN BOLLOX 11-6-2010
Benitez to launch £35m bid for Manchester City star Tevez
According to The Sun this morning, new Inter Milan coach Rafa Benitez will look to sign Manchester City talisman Carlos Tevez .
The Argentinian was outstanding for Manchester City last season and scored 23 Premier League goals as Roberto Mancini's side narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification.
There have been rumours that the disappointment of ending the season empty handed would prompt the 26 year-old to consider his future. According to The Sun, Benitez will try to tempt Tevez with the promise of Champions League football as Inter look to defend their title.
Benitez apparently attempted to sign Tevez for Liverpool last summer when it was clear that the striker would leave Old Trafford. However, Liverpool could not compete with cash-rich Manchester City ’s £25.5m bid.
With the backing of Inter president Massimo Moratti, Benitez is unlikely to face similar financial constraints this time round and The Sun speculates that the European champions could offer City £35million to prize Tevez away from Eastlands where he has become a fans’ favourite.
Chelsea Consider Move for £12m Premier League Playmaker
Ancelotti Eyes Up Move for Manchester City Man Ireland. Stamford Bridge boss looks to beat off rivals to Eastlands man.
Chelsea are rumoured to be ready to make a move for Manchester City playmaker Stephen Ireland as the west London club looks for midfield reinforcements after releasing Michael Ballack and Joe Cole. Carlo Ancelotti is known to be a fan of the Irish international and may believe he can beat off competition for the 23 year old who has made it clear he wants to leave Eastlands.
The likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham have all been linked with a move for the talented flair player who doesn’t appear to be part of Roberto Mancini’s first team plans. Problems off the field as well as some average performances on it had left the Cork born former Cobh Rambler having to convince the Italian boss of his worth but he appears to have failed to change the City boss’s mind.
Ireland has proven his ability to perform with class in the Premier League and was voted player of the season at Man City the season before last so clearly he has what it takes to play at the very top and Ancelotti may feel he is able to utilize the abundant flair he possesses and could be just the man to make him a more consistent performer.
Its easy to see why there are so many interested parties vying for his signature and it will be interesting to see if the Blues can secure a deal to bring the £12m rated midfielder to the club.
Toure's transfer hits a snag
Yaya Toure's agent is unhappy with the price-tag Barcelona have placed on the Ivory Coast international midfielder.
Toure has been linked with a host of clubs including Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal after slipping out of the first-team reckoning at the Camp Nou.
However, Toure's agent, Dimitri Seluk, is becoming increasingly frustrated by the lack of progress in a potential transfer, saying: "The problem is that Barca are asking for too much money because Yaya's demands are totally within reach of the clubs that want to sign him.
"The problem is what Barca are asking for. I would prefer him to play for Chelsea because they are a very strong team who have been in the elite for many years and who always aspire to be the best, but they won't pay so much money.
"As things stand, it is possible there is no definitive agreement before the World Cup. The ball is in Barcelona's court."
Kolarov snubs Manchester City, agrees terms with Real Madrid
Left-back Aleksandar Kolarov has agreed terms with Real Madrid , according to Spanish daily Marca, ending interest from Manchester City and Inter Milan.
The 24-year-old has been at Lazio for three seasons, alerting interest from clubs including Manchester City by chipping in with four goals and two assists in a solid campaign last term.
Lazio President Claudio Lotito was recently quoted saying, "15 million doesn't even buy Kolarov's boots, because he is the best defender in the world.”
However, it now appears that Kolarov has matched Lotito’s determination by agreeing terms with Real Madrid . Marca reports that Italian agent Ernesto Bronzetti has brokered a deal between the Serbian defender and Real Madrid and now will try to negotiate an agreement between the clubs themselves.
Lotito had claimed that Manchester City were also interested in Kolarov, although whether this was genuine or rather a tactic to raise the player’s value is unclear.
Manchester City 'in talks' with Valencia over £30m David Silva but big spenders face fight with Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Barcelona and Juventus
Manchester City have stepped up to bid to sign Valencia midfielder David Silva in a bid to see off increasing interest from Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Barcelona and Juventus.
City chief executive Garry Cook reportedly had face-to-face talks with Valencia president Manuel Llorente on Wednesday and another meeting is planned.
The Barclays Premier League big-spenders are not believed to have submitted a formal offer yet, but would hope to do a deal for less than Valencia's price tag of about £30million.
Real Madrid had lined up a move for the 24-year-old, only for new boss Jose Mourinho to identify more pressing targets and leave the deal in limbo.
However, reports in Italy suggest there is serious competition from Inter Milan and Juventus. New Inter boss Rafa Benitez is a confirmed admirer of his former Valencia student and hopes to pair him at the San Siro with Liverpool's Javier Mascherano.
And now Juventus have entered the race, but are seen as outsiders. They have just clinched a deal for Sunderland target Simone Pepe and Milos Krasic - another wide man - is on the way from CSKA Moscow, while free agent Joe Cole is an alternative to Silva.
Manchester City have swooped to capture highly-rated Swindon teenager Alex Henshall for an undisclosed fee.
The 16-year-old, who made two substitute appearances for Danny Wilson's side last season, is part of the England youth set-up and regarded as one of the country's most promising youngsters.
Liverpool had also been interested in the youngster, Robins chairman Andrew Fitton confimed.
Barcelona have also re-entered the race for a player they looked at last summer. The Spanish champions have Silva lined up as a contingency following increasingly difficult negotiations to land Cesc Fabregas from Arsenal.
Barca will not give up on the Gunners captain for some time and City could see off the Catalans by moving quickly for Silva, though Spain's imminent departure for the World Cup in South Africa could put everyone on hold until after the tournament.
City are also said to have enquired about 25-year-old Valencia Pablo Hernandez, another international right winger, who failed to make the World Cup squad.
Manchester United are increasingly confident they can bring Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas, 26, and Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski, 24, to Old Trafford this summer after being given private encouragement from both players. DSSC
United boss David Moyes has also launched a £15m bid to sign Spain Under-21 captain Thiago Alcantara from Barcelona. The midfielder is also being linked with a move to Manchester City. Daily Mirror
Meanwhile, Moyes will try to sign Southampton's 17-year-old left-back Luke Shaw if he fails to lure Leighton Baines from Southampton. Daily Star
Juventus have been told they must wait until Real Madrid have appointed a new coach before they begin negotiations for Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain. Arsenal are also interested in signing the 25-year-old. Guardian
New Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has been told a reunion with Galatasaray midfielder Wesley Sneijder will cost £12.75m. The 29-year-old Dutchman played for Mourinho at Inter Milan as they won the Italian domestic double and the Champions League three years ago. Daily Mirror
Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina will not be joining former boss Rafa Benitez at Napoli or moving to Spanish giants Barcelona, according to his agent. The 30-year-old has been linked with a move but is keen to remain at Anfield. Daily Express
Real Madrid confirm they will not baulk if Tottenham demand £85m for Tottenham's 23-year-old midfielder Gareth Bale. Sun
Sunderland are keen to sign Siena midfielder Alessandro Rosina, with the 29-year-old former Italy international seen as a possible replacement for Stephane Sessegnon, who is expected to leave the club this summer. DSSC
Real Madrid are stepping up their interest in Chelsea target Edinson Cavani. The Spanish club held talks on Monday with the 26-year-old Napoli striker's representatives in Madrid and are known to be the player's preferred option if they can meet the £53m buy-out clause. DSSC
Tottenham target Bernard has been urged to join Borussia Dortmund instead by his Brazil international team-mate Dante. The White Hart Lane club are desperate to tempt the 5ft 4in 20-year-old attacking midfielder to join them, but Dortmund have also targeted the Atletico Mineiro star as a possible replacement for Bayern Munich-bound Mario Gotze. Daily Mirror
Jose Mourinho has dropped a heavy hint that Chelsea will welcome 27-year-old striker Wayne Rooney to Stamford Bridge if he leaves Manchester United. Daily Express
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is planning to sign forwards Sevilla's Luis Alberto, 20, and Celta Vigo's Iago Aspas, 25, for a total of £13m this week. Daily Star
Jose Mourinho is said to be also interested in bringing Schalke's Julian Draxler, 19, to Stamford Bridge. The German midfielder recently signed a contract extension with his club, but Chelsea may consider triggering his 45m euros (£38m) exit clause. Kicker
Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski, 24, says he expects the club to change their mind over their refusal to let him move to Bayern Munich this year. Bild
Real Madrid have signed Brazilian midfielder Casemiro, 21, on a four-year deal worth an estimated £5m. El Mundo
Nice manager Claude Puel has said he would like to see outgoing Barcelona defender Eric Abidal, 33, in his team. Catalan Radio Cope
Portuguese side Benfica have signed Serb striker Lazar Markovic, 19, from Partizan Belgrade. Diario de Noticas
Wigan chairman Dave Whelan is expected to name the club's new manager within the next week. Guardian
Liverpool forward Luis Suarez admits that he "completely lost it" before biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic last season. Sun
Manchester United fans who want to get the name Cantona printed on the new home strip have been left baffled after the club's official shop refused to print the iconic Frenchman's name on the back of replica jerseys because of image rights issues. DSSC
