Sunday's B*ll*x

[Chinners]

OFFICIAL CLUB BOLLOX
Spring is here, the sap is rising and the Sunday scribes are busily planting transfer seeds in the minds of fans everywhere.
Of course most of the speculation will wither away before it sees the light of day but at least it provides a few talking points over the Sunday roast.

The fact that our owners are clearly amongst the most solvent of men who own football clubs - is there a reason why women don't? - is a boon to writers who as a result have carte blanche to link us with an A-Z of big money purchases.

Today is not the exception that proves the rule. So take a deep breath, strap yourself in and here we go on a couple of laps of the transfer merry-go-round.

Let us start with the Sunday Express which proclaims the following:

‘Manchester City will be in the running for Europe's elite footballers this summer. Names include Valencia's David Villa, Atletico Madrid's Sergio Aguero, Inter Milan's Maicon and Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery.’

As if landing that little lot will not take up enough time and money the Daily Star on Sunday also has us eyeing up some Turkish delight.

‘Manchester City has been linked with Galatasaray pair Arda Turan and Kader Keita,’ they tell their readers.

The Mail on Sunday, meanwhile, reckons that Barcelona’s Ya Ya Toure, brother of our skipper Kolo, is a summer target for both Roberto Mancini and Arsene Wenger while the News of the World returns to a familiar theme:

‘Despite Liverpool insisting that selling Fernando Torres is not an option, Manchester City representatives are regularly in contact with Torres' advisors,’ they claim.

Other tittle-tattle today includes pieces saying that Joe Hart will return to CoMs if we finish fourth in the Premier League (NoW), that Chelsea will beat City to the signing of the latest Brazilian wonderkid Neymar (Observer) and virtually all the papers carry a piece in which Gareth Barry says he hopes Wayne Bridge will change his mind and travel to the World Cup this summer as part of the England squad

Chelsea are tipped to beat Manchester City to the signing of Santos starlet Neymar , according to a report in the News of the World this morning.

Neymar Bollox
The 18-year-old forward has been linked with a move to Manchester City over the last few months in a deal which was believed to have been discussed when Robinho joined Santos on loan in January.
Manchester City reportedly secured first option on Neymar when Robinho joined his former club but the deal is now in jeopardy as Santos cannot finalise sponsorship deals worth £375,000-a-month.
Chelsea are now ready to step in and secure Neymar for £30million in the summer when a bidding war is expected for one of the hottest talents in Brazil.
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Jose asked to name his price
MANCHESTER City will ask Jose Mourinho to name his price in the summer in a bid to tempt him back into English football.
City are aware that even though Mourinho guided Inter Milan into the Champions League quarter-finals at the expense of Chelsea in midweek, he is not happy in Italian football.
Ambitious City are backed by Sheikh Mansour’s billions – and he will not flinch at increasing Mourinho’s current pay packet of £8.3million a year – £160,000 a week.
The Inter boss has a £5.5m buy-out clause but that presents no problem for the richest club in the world, who are determined to win the major trophies. And, in an amazing twist, Roberto Mancini could end up back at Inter Milan.
When he replaced Mark Hughes as City boss, Mancini was told that his position would be reviewed in the summer. He is still on friendly terms with Inter president Massimo Moratti despite being shown the door to allow Mourinho to be appointed.
City’s big worry as they seek the manager they regard as the best in the business is that Real Madrid are also in the market for a top boss in the summer after deciding to ditch Manuel Pellegrini.
If Mourinho doesn’t end up in Madrid then City believe they could well land their man.

Juventus line up shock move for Mancini - Exclusive
Roberto Mancini has emerged as a ­front-runner to become coach of Juventus.
The biggest club in Italy are reeling following their shock Europa Cup exit at Fulham.
And Mancini, who was in the crowd at Craven Cottage, is seen as the perfect man to restore the Old Lady to her former glory after leading Inter to three successive Serie A titles.
Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli is the favourite to replace Alberto Zaccheroni, who has been in charge for less than two months. But the ­Italian FA want ­Prandelli to take over from Marcello Lippi after the World Cup.

TRANSFER BOLLOX
West Ham want to sign David Beckham should he consider a return to England after his recovery from injury. News of the World

Manchester United are leading the chase to sign Spanish striker David Villa for about £35m after the World Cup. Full story: Daily Star on Sunday

Arsenal are keeping a close eye on Wigan midfielder James McCarthy. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has sent chief scout Steve Rowley to watch the 19-year-old Republic of Ireland player. News of the World

Liverpool are prepared to replace Ryan Babel, Albert Riera and Alberto Aquilani with top new players in a bid to keep Fernando Torres at the club. Mail on Sunday

Arsenal are planning an £8m bid for AZ Alkmaar goalkeeper Sergio Romero, who has impressed Wenger during the Dutch side's European campaign. News of the World

OTHER BOLLOX
Jose Mourinho is very interested in becoming the next Liverpool manager, but would only take the job if American co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett leave. News of the World

Liverpool's Javier Mascherano is looking for a hefty pay rise of around £1m-a-year to stay at Anfield.
Sunday Mirror

German midfielder Michael Ballack has been offered a new contract at Chelsea, which could keep him at the club until 2012.IM Scouting

Dozens of English footballers are missing out-of-competition drug tests, while QPR and Bradford City have been fined for failing to provide accurate information to sampling officers over their players' whereabouts. Sunday Times

Chelsea skipper John Terry admits that the club's top players fear the drop following the defeat by Inter Milan in midweek.
Sunday Mirror

Gareth Barry bemoans the loss of David Beckham to the England squad saying that the injured star is a "good bloke to have around".
Sunday Telegraph

[Vhero]

Some good City bollox there Chinners mate.