Johnson could scupper Wright-Phillips' City exit
Manchester City winger Adam Johnson has suffered an injury scare that could hamper Shaun Wright-Phillips' chances of leaving the club on loan.
Johnson was reportedly stretchered out of City training on Thursday and is set for scans on a leg problem on Friday. It is unlikely he will feature in Sunday's FA Cup clash at Notts County and depending on the length of his lay-off, he could be a doubt for the crucial Manchester derby on February 12.
City have been in negotiations with Fulham over a loan deal to take Wright-Phillips to Craven Cottage, although the clubs are struggling to agree on suitable terms surrounding the player's wages. If the prognosis on Johnson is serious, however, Roberto Mancini may opt to keep Wright-Phillips at Eastlands as cover for the wide positions.
Meanwhile, loaned out striker Emmanuel Adebayor said City can win the Premier League title this season after deeming him surplus to requirements. On his unveiling as a Real Madrid player, albeit a temporary one, Adebayor only had positive words for his English club and their hopes of title success.
Big-spending City, who last won the league back in 1968, are currently third in the standings, six points behind leaders Manchester United while they have also played a game more than their local rivals.
When asked if City can win the league, the 26-year-old said: "Of course, why not? I think Manchester City have a big chance to win the league this season, with all the players that they've bought, Mario Balotelli, Edin Dzeko, they've got a big squad... And at the minute they are playing good football, so they have a chance to win it. It's not going to be easy, don't get me wrong, but I think they will do everything to achieve that because it's a dream of the club.''
Ade backs City for honours
Real Madrid hitman Emmanuel Adebayor has backed Manchester City to claim Premier League success this term.
The 26-year-old joined the Madrid club on loan from the Citizens earlier this week after falling down the ranks at the City of Manchester Stadium.
But despite not forming part of Roberto Mancini's plans this term, the Togolese striker believes that City will go all the way.
"I think Manchester City have a big chance to win the league this season, with all the players that they've bought, Mario Balotelli, Edin Dzeko, they've got a big squad," he said
"And at the minute they are playing good football, so they have a chance to win it.
'It's not going to be easy, don't get me wrong, but I think they will do everything to achieve that because it's a dream of the club."
Storm brewing??
There's an almighty storm brewing over Ajax right-back Gregory van der Wiel, with Barcelona and the two Manchester clubs apparently all intent on signing the 22-year-old Dutch defender.
Talksport says that United had been confident of landing Van der Wiel with the £13m transfer fee posing no problem at Old Trafford. But now Barcelona are muscling in on the action after failing to agree a new contract with their Brazilian defender Dani Alves, and the Catalans are said to be keen to bring the young Dutchman to the Nou Camp before the end of the month.
However, goal.com reports that Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is determined to snap up van der Wiel – who played for Holland in last year's World Cup – ahead of United and Barca, as well as Benfica centre-back David Luiz.
"Mancini isn't finished this month," the website quotes a City source as saying. "City have been watching Luiz for a year and have remained in regular contact with his representatives. They are also interested in Van der Wiel and are considering a last-minute deal." The Sky Blues were present last week to see Van der Wiel strut his stuff during Ajax's 2-0 win over Feyenoord and an offer is believed to be imminent.
However, according to the Guardian, Luiz is on the verge of finally joining Chelsea – another Premier League club long interested in the defender – and the paper quotes a Benfica statement as saying an offer has been made by the Blues and it's now down to whether a fee can be agreed. "A negotiation process is currently ongoing and the market will be informed when it is completed."
OTHER BOLLOX
Liverpool have rejected a £40m bid from Chelsea for Spain international striker Fernando Torres. "Chelsea have made a bid for Fernando which has been turned down," a club spokesman said. "The player is not for sale." The Sun
Chelsea are attempting to stage a massive transfer coup with a dramatic £60m bid for Torres. Daily Mirror
Liverpool have rejected a "mind-boggling" offer from Chelsea for Torres, who has a £50m get-out clause in his contract. Daily Express
Liverpool have told Chelsea that Torres is not for sale after rejecting a £35m offer sanctioned by the Blues owner Roman Abramovich. The Times (Subscription required)
Liverpool's American owners, Fenway Sports Group, have dismissed the British transfer record bid out of hand. Full story: The Guardian
West Ham have rejected Tottenham's offer of Robbie Keane plus £2m in return for midfielder Scott Parker, but negotiations are set to continue. Daily Telegraph
Tottenham are ready to make a second bid to snatch Everton skipper Phil Neville before Monday's transfer deadline. Daily Mirror
Spurs manager Harry Redknapp will allow defender Jonathan Woodgate to join injury-striken Wolves on loan until the end of this season. The Sun
Days after inspiring Birmingham City to a place in the Carling Cup final, striker Nikola Zigic could be about to go on loan to Racing talkSPORT
Meanwhile, Birmingham are making a £2.5m bid for Aston Villa central defender Curtis Davies after ruling out offloading winger Sebastian Larsson in a player-plus cash swap deal.Daily Mirror
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish wants the club to sanction a loan move for Wolfsburg striker Obafemi Martins as a reward for reaching the Carling Cup final. the Independent
Sunderland have turned their attention to Wigan striker Hugo Rodallega as they look to replace Darren Bent. Metro
The Black Cats are on the verge of signing Stephane Sessegnon from Paris Saint-Germain and Sulley Muntari from Inter Milan. The Times
Fulham are looking to buy Spurs midfielder Nico Kranjcar after a deal to buy winger Shaun Wright-Phillips from Manchester City fell through. Metro
Brazilian forward Lucas Piazon has turned down a move to Chelsea in favour of Juventus.talkSPORT
Blackburn are ready to launch an £8m bid for West Brom midfielder Graham Dorrans. Daily Mail
Manchester United are lining up a £20m bid for Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina, as a replacement for Edwin van der Sar, who will retire at the end of the season. Daily Star
United could be looking to Lyon's France international goalkeeper Hugo Lloris as a long-term successor to Van der Sar. Metro
United are stepping up their efforts to sign Atletico Madrid keeper David De Gea after identifying the 20-year-old as the most promising young stopper in the game. Daily Mirror
De Gea, Netherlands' Maarten Stekelenburg and Germany stopper Manuel Neuer make up United's three-man shortlist. Daily Telegraph
Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston has told the Premier League: "Maybe you should pick our team," after the club are fined £25,000 for fielding a weakened side. talkSPORT
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard says manager Kenny Dalglish has got the Reds winning again by putting a smile back on the players' faces. Daily Mirror
Former Fulham boss Chris Coleman believes the return to action of striker Bobby Zamora and forward Moussa Dembele can lift the club up the Premier League table. talkSPORT
Midfielder Jack Wilshere was last night told he represents "the future" of England as manager Fabio Capello revealed his new tactical masterplan is based on the Arsenal teenager.Daily Mirror
Capello has admitted he made an error by leaving Arsenal winger Theo Walcott out of his World Cup squad. The Sun
Capello is monitoring the progress of young right-backs Martin Kelly and Kyle Walker ahead of next month's friendly with Denmark. Daily Express
Qatar-based Arab TV station Al Jazeera want to snap up former Sky Sports football presenters Richard Keys and Andy Gray.
Daily Mirror
More bollox later ...
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