Saturday's B*ll*x
Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2010 9:10 amRoberto Mancini keen on Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko
'If Inter decide to sell Balotelli we will be there'
Manchester City are interested in the Inter striker Mario Balotelli if he becomes available. Photograph: Matteo Bazzi/EPA
The Manchester City manager, Roberto Mancini, has said he will bid for Mario Balotelli should Internazionale opt to sell the highly rated striker.
Balotelli is under contract with the Italian champions for three more seasons but failed to hold down a regular starting berth under the former Inter manager José Mourinho last season.
The 19-year-old is believed to be a target for the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal, but Mancini, with the backing of billionaire owners behind him, is preparing himself to enter any bidding war.
"We are always interested in good players," Mancini told the Italian newspaper Il Giornale. "If Inter decide to sell [Balotelli], we will be there."
Balotelli was dropped from Inter's team for several games last season by Mourinho, who criticised the player's attitude, but Mancini is concerned only with the player's abilities on the pitch.
"I have no problems," said Mancini. "The most important thing is that they are good, so that they go on the pitch and play well."
Mancini also confirmed he is keeping an eye on the Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko, who was the top scorer in the Bundesliga last season and has long been linked with a move to one of Europe's elite clubs. "Certainly Dzeko is more than just an interest," Mancini revealed.
Tottenham on verge of £6m capture for Manchester City winger Craig Bellamy
Tottenham are closing in on a £6m deal for Manchester City winger Craig Bellamy.
Everton are also interested in the Welshman but are struggling to match Tottenham's offer.
TRANSFER BOLLOX
Barcelona President Sandro Rosell will hold face-to-face talks with Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger before the World Cup final over the potential transfer of Cesc Fabregas imscouting.com
Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano is keen on a summer move to Inter Milan or Barcelona. Daily Mail
Chelsea are set to move for Porto defender Bruno Alves after agreeing to sell his Portuguese team-mate, Ricardo Carvalho.
Daily Telegraph
Preston and Queens Park Rangers are both chasing Doncaster's former Sunderland midfielder Martin Woods. Daily Mail
Portsmouth have offered a player-coaching role to England goalkeeper David James.Daily Mail
Sunderland are weighing up a £7m bid for Manchester United's England midfielder Michael Carrick.Daily Mail
Tottenham are unlikely to loan Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane out to Celtic again this season after boss Harry Redknapp said: "We paid good money for him and to loan him out again wouldn't be a goer." Independent
Stoke boss Tony Pulis is set to reward winger Matthew Etherington, 28, for kicking his gambling addiction with a new four-year deal. The Sun
Fernando Torres is refusing to discuss his Liverpool future until after the World Cup final. The Spain striker is desperate to play against Holland but insisted: "After Sunday I can think about meeting the new Liverpool manager. Then they can tell me their plans."Daily Express
Referee Howard Webb's wife Kay is amazed the Premier League official been handed control of Sunday's World Cup final because he struggles to control his own children at home!Daily Star
'If Inter decide to sell Balotelli we will be there'
Manchester City are interested in the Inter striker Mario Balotelli if he becomes available. Photograph: Matteo Bazzi/EPA
The Manchester City manager, Roberto Mancini, has said he will bid for Mario Balotelli should Internazionale opt to sell the highly rated striker.
Balotelli is under contract with the Italian champions for three more seasons but failed to hold down a regular starting berth under the former Inter manager José Mourinho last season.
The 19-year-old is believed to be a target for the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal, but Mancini, with the backing of billionaire owners behind him, is preparing himself to enter any bidding war.
"We are always interested in good players," Mancini told the Italian newspaper Il Giornale. "If Inter decide to sell [Balotelli], we will be there."
Balotelli was dropped from Inter's team for several games last season by Mourinho, who criticised the player's attitude, but Mancini is concerned only with the player's abilities on the pitch.
"I have no problems," said Mancini. "The most important thing is that they are good, so that they go on the pitch and play well."
Mancini also confirmed he is keeping an eye on the Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko, who was the top scorer in the Bundesliga last season and has long been linked with a move to one of Europe's elite clubs. "Certainly Dzeko is more than just an interest," Mancini revealed.
Tottenham on verge of £6m capture for Manchester City winger Craig Bellamy
Tottenham are closing in on a £6m deal for Manchester City winger Craig Bellamy.
Everton are also interested in the Welshman but are struggling to match Tottenham's offer.
TRANSFER BOLLOX
Barcelona President Sandro Rosell will hold face-to-face talks with Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger before the World Cup final over the potential transfer of Cesc Fabregas imscouting.com
Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano is keen on a summer move to Inter Milan or Barcelona. Daily Mail
Chelsea are set to move for Porto defender Bruno Alves after agreeing to sell his Portuguese team-mate, Ricardo Carvalho.
Daily Telegraph
Preston and Queens Park Rangers are both chasing Doncaster's former Sunderland midfielder Martin Woods. Daily Mail
Portsmouth have offered a player-coaching role to England goalkeeper David James.Daily Mail
Sunderland are weighing up a £7m bid for Manchester United's England midfielder Michael Carrick.Daily Mail
Tottenham are unlikely to loan Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane out to Celtic again this season after boss Harry Redknapp said: "We paid good money for him and to loan him out again wouldn't be a goer." Independent
Stoke boss Tony Pulis is set to reward winger Matthew Etherington, 28, for kicking his gambling addiction with a new four-year deal. The Sun
Fernando Torres is refusing to discuss his Liverpool future until after the World Cup final. The Spain striker is desperate to play against Holland but insisted: "After Sunday I can think about meeting the new Liverpool manager. Then they can tell me their plans."Daily Express
Referee Howard Webb's wife Kay is amazed the Premier League official been handed control of Sunday's World Cup final because he struggles to control his own children at home!Daily Star