Balotelli in hot water as he ducks Manchester City's FA Cup parade
Mario Balotelli's future at Manchester City is in doubt once more this morning after the controversial Italian snubbed the club's FA Cup parade.
Balotelli was named man of the match after City beat Stoke to win their first trophy in 35 years 10 days ago.
But despite receiving a letter from City chief executive Garry Cook instructing him that he must attend last night's parade and town hall reception, the 20-year-old flew home to Italy on Sunday morning.
Carlos Tevez was there to parade the FA Cup despite suggestions he, too, would be missing.
Tevez also issued a statement that said: 'In my mind, there was never a question as to whether I would be there. No one had to persuade me because I simply wouldn't have missed this event.'
Balotelli heaped further embarrassment on City by also skipping the player of the year dinner on Sunday night. In his absence, Micah Richards had to pick up the young player of the year award on his team-mate’s behalf.
There were conflicting stories coming from Eastlands as to why Balotelli had performed yet another flit back to his native Italy.
Assistant manager Brian Kidd, for example, claimed it was for ‘family reasons’ - something that was not confirmed by club officials and was categorically denied by sources close to the player.
What does appear certain is that Balotelli did have the permission of his manager Roberto Mancini to miss the parade, something that will not have gone down well
with Cook - who wrote to all the players himself.
Belgium defender Vincent Kompany skipped a day’s training with his national team in order to attend, although Germany defender Jerome Boateng - linked with a move to Bayern Munich - was another unexplained absentee from the celebrations.
Proper load of B*ll*x from the Mail today as he was given permission by the club to hook up with the Italy squad! however there are some nice parade pics: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba ... arade.html
Man City trump Barcelona in snapping up Suarez from Celta Vigo
Manchester City have beaten Barcelona to sign Celta Vigo whizkid Denis Suarez.
Celta Vigo's chairman Carlos Mourino confirmed that the Spanish Under 17 midfielder will join City for an initial fee of £850,000, which could rise to £2.75m depending on appearances and performance-related clauses in the deal.
City are also showing an interest in Japanese playmaker Keisuke Honda, 24, currently playing for CSKA Moscow and his compatriot, Leicester City's 29-year-old utility player Yuke Abe.
Boca Juniors claim: Good chance we'll sign Tevez
Carlos Tevez last night delighted Manchester City fans when he led the club’s FA Cup parade.
Blues supporters had feared Tevez might miss the civic reception at Manchester Town Hall, open-top bus tour and celebrations at Eastlands to fly back to his family in Argentina.
But the City skipper insisted he would not have missed the event as tens of thousands of Blues’ fans turned out to celebrate winning their first trophy in 35 years.
Tevez said: “I always knew I was going to be here and would not have missed this. It is a great night for the fans, who have waited so long for this moment.”
Last night could still prove to be the last fans see of Tevez, despite Roberto Mancini’s insistence that he is going nowhere.
The striker would like to move to either Spain or Italy, where his family could relocate from Argentina to be with him, and Real Madrid are interested.
Former club Boca Juniors also claimed last night they want to bring him home to Argentina.
Tevez remains a legend at the club, having helped them win the Copa Libertadores and the Intercontinental Cup during his three seasons there and vice-president Juan Carlos Crespi insists they can land him.
“I want Tevez to come and play in Boca once more,” he said. “There is a good chance that it could happen.”
Tevez’s sometime strike partner Mario Balotelli caused yet more controversy by snubbing the parade.
Assistant boss Brian Kidd claimed Balotelli had been given permission by Mancini to return to Italy on Sunday night for “family reasons”.
However, this was news to some City officials and chief executive Garry Cook had written to all the players, requesting their attendance.
Manchester City warned over spending
Manchester City may have secured Champions League football but they still face a challenge of falling into line with the new financial rules.
That is the opinion of sports consultant Stephen Dunham, who has watched with interest the rise of a club under the ownership of Sheikh Mansour and the Abu Dhabi United Group.
Roberto Mancini's side finished third in the Premier League and also won the FA Cup after serious investment in the squad over the past few seasons.
Dunham said: "One of the key elements for City going forward will be financial fair play. If you're a fan, great. You are thinking, 'We have a place in the Champions League and won a trophy and our ability to attract players is going to be huge.'
"But with it comes associated costs. City spent £133million last year on payroll costs, the majority of that is players and overall revenue was £125million.
"They made a loss of £120million last year and that's got to be trimmed to £30million a year in the next two years. Champions League money is going to help but they have got to look at that situation.
"They have announced an average 6% increase in ticket prices next year and then there is the possibility of a naming rights deal. That might bring in another £10million a year and there is potential for other big commercial deals."
City, with Italian manager Mancini at the helm, are guaranteed at least six matches in the Champions League after finishing ahead of Arsenal and that is a huge bonus, according to Dunham.
He said: "If you look at the way the revenues have been going then City could make about £30 million depending on progress.
"On the other hand, if Arsenal fail to qualify they will drop into the Europa League where the distributions are substantially lower.
"Inter Milan were the top revenue-generating club in Champions League in 2009-10 with 48.8 million euros and Fulham were the highest in the Europa League with 10 million euros - a more than four-fold difference.
"If you have the capability to invest in your playing side then you would expect to reap the benefits from that. City have been able to do that in the last couple of seasons and it has started to bear fruit with their on-pitch results."
Liverpool and City on alert as Sergio Aguero announces intention to leave Atletico
Liverpool and Manchester City target Sergio Aguero has publicly stated his desire to leave Atletico Madrid this summer.
The Argentina striker posted a statement on his website saying he felt he needed a move to continue his development.
'I said long ago that when I wanted to go, I would say so publicly. And the time has come,' the statement said.
Heading for England? Aguero has signaled his intent to leave Atletico
'So I keep to my word and here I am. I find it hard to leave Atletico. It hurts and saddens me. I've thought long and hard and I am convinced that I must be true to myself.
'I do not think I put a ceiling on the ability to keep learning, to keep growing. After five intense years, this stage for me personally is over and I have to give way to a new one.
'I'm about to turn 23 and I have everything before me. Suffice it to say that this is not an economic issue but strictly a sporting one. So I want to clearly express my appreciation to the club for the efforts they have made for giving me a salary that equates with the largest clubs in the world.'
Aguero, 22, has scored over 100 goals for Atletico since joining from Independiente as a teenager in 2006. As recently as January, he signed a new contract that runs until 2014 and was also named the club's vice-captain.
However, Aguero tonight said that he signed the new deal with an understanding that he may leave this summer, merely wanting to ensure Atletico received a larger fee.
'I want to say also that this decision has been maturing for some time,' he added. 'The issue was discussed and agreed with Atletico last year when I was renewing my contract.
'I wanted to sign as a way to give back to the club for all the support they have given me. Had I not done so, they might not have received any more for my transfer. I received then a promise that the club would not stand in my way if I wanted to leave this summer.
'Therefore, in line with that commitment and my decision, I have asked them to listen to any offers they receive for me from different clubs.'
Atletico suffered a disappointing season as they finished seventh in La Liga, although that has been good enough to earn them a Europa League berth.
Nevertheless, speculation over Aguero's future has been rife in recent days with the likes of Real Madrid, Juventus, Liverpool and Manchester City being linked with the son-in-law of Argentina legend Diego Maradona.
Only last week, Atletico chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin insisted Aguero was not for sale.
WAG OF THE DAY
OTHER BOLLOX
West Ham are poised to make a move for Manchester United keeper Tomasz Kuszczak, 29, who is out of contract with the Premier League champions and will become a free agent in the summer. talkSPORT
Aston Villa keeper Brad Friedel, 40, has been offered a two-year deal by Liverpool, the club he left 10 years ago. Spurs, West Brom and German side Schalke are also interested in the American. Daily Mirror
Manchester United have made their move for Ashley Young - and his Aston Villa team-mate Darren Bent reckons the £15m-rated 25-year-old winger is on his way. Daily Mirror
Juventus are set to go head-to-head this summer with Inter Milan for Manchester United winger Nani, 24. Metro
Real Madrid are interested in Arsenal's Bacary Sagna, 28, while Zenit St Petersburg want 29-year-old Andriy Arshavin back in a £7m deal. Daily Mirror
Nicklas Bendtner, 23, has told Arsenal he wants to leave this summer, with Bayern Munich among the clubs interested in signing the £9m-rated Danish striker. the Guardian
Galatasaray are set to outbid Tottenham for Chelsea's 33-year-old veteran Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba. Daily Mirror
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is closing in on French striker Kevin Gameiro after making a flying visit to personally run the rule over the £12m-rated 24-year-old who plays for Lorient. Daily Mirror
Midfielder Jamie O'Hara wants to make permanent his loan move from Tottenham to Wolves. The Black Country side will need to pay around £4m to land the 24-year-old. Daily Mirror
Ryan Giggs, identified in Parliament as the married footballer named on Twitter as having an injunction over an alleged affair with a reality TV star is set to be in Manchester United's team for Saturday's Champions League final against Barcelona at Wembley. Daily Mail
Chelsea are confident they will be able to prise Guus Hiddink from his role as boss of the Turkish national side and may even persuade the Dutchman to succeed Carlo Ancelotti as manager rather than take the director of football role he might instinctively favour. the Guardian
Hiddink, who managed Chelsea for three months in 2009, is only prepared to lead the Blues for one year before switching to a director of football role at Stamford Bridge. Daily Mirror
Chelsea may have to wait unil October for Hiddink, 64, to join them as he does not want to break his contract with Turkey, which runs until the Euro 2012 Championships - however, qualifying finishes in October and Turkey may not reach the finals. the Sun
Turkey have held talks with Rafael Benitez about the prospect of the former Liverpool and Inter Milan boss taking over from Hiddink for the rest of the Euro 2012 qualifying period. Daily Express
Blakpool chairman Karl Oyston will attempt to convince Ian Holloway to stay as manager despite their relegation from the Premier League. Daily Mail
Former Chelsea star Jason Cundy has branded his former club's £50m signing of Fernando Torres from Liverpool in the January transfer window as "naive". talkSPORT
Fifa's secretary general - Jerome Valcke - has been forced to deny claims that he attempted to persuade the presidential challenger Mohamed bin Hammam to withdraw from the race, as world football's governing body faced another flurry of corruption allegations. Guardian
Cardiff manager Dave Jones is West Ham's top target to replace sacked Avram Grant. Daily Mail
Birmingham owner Carson Yeung is firing chief scout Paul Montgomery after blaming relegation on costly dud signings. Daily Mirror
Former Chelsea player Paul Elliott believes Jose Mourinho will return to the west London club eventually - but not until his mission with Real Madrid is finished. talkSPORT
Wayne Rooney's baby son Kai missed 'a sitter' during Old Trafford celebrations for their record-breaking 19th league title, failing to net from one inch. Metro
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