Wednesday's B*ll*x (updated)

Welcome to Manchester! Aguero arrives for medical ahead of £38m City
Sergio Aguero has expressed his delight at arriving in Manchester to complete his £38million move from Atletico Madrid to Roberto Mancini's City.
The Argentine flew from his homeland on Tuesday night after the two clubs struck the multi-million pound deal, and took to social networking site Twitter on arrival.
He wrote: 'Just landed in Manchester to finalize the details of the offer with the City. Everything is fine! In a while I'll tell you more.'
It is understood City already have a clear idea of his personal demands and do not expect discussions to take very long.
The highly rated 23-year-old is expected to put his name to a five-year contract worth around £200,000 a week and his arrival will certainly please manager Mancini.
City are expected to lose Carlos Tevez in the coming weeks and with doubts remaining over the reliability of Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli, Mancini needs a proven goalscorer before the Barclays Premier League season begins in two-and-a-half weeks.
Blue move: Aguero is keen to finalise his move to City and refused to return to training with Atletico
Aguero has recently played with his compatriot Tevez in the Copa America and as such will be allowed some holiday before beginning his new life at the Etihad Stadium.
Tevez has been told to report back for training with Mancini's squad on August 4 and the same will apply to Aguero, meaning neither player is expected to start in the Community Shield against neighbours and rivals Manchester United three days later.
Adding to the ranks: City boss Mancini is hopeful of completing a deal before the squad visit Ireland
City travel to the Republic of Ireland on Friday for two games in the Dublin Super Cup, including the pick against Inter Milan on Sunday.
City's deal with Aguero is thought to have been sealed after the striker talked the move through with his wife Giannina, who is Diego Maradona's daughter, in Argentina over the weekend.
Injury-plagued Man City midfielder Johnson offered lifeline by Wolves
Wolves are considering a loan move for Manchester City midfielder Michael Johnson.
The 23-year-old, who is also wanted by Leeds United, is fit again after a knee injury. Liverpool's Jay Spearing is also under consideration for Wolves.
City's England youth winger Kieran Trippier, 20, has joined Burnley on loan as a replacement for Chris Eagles.
City stars unite in criticism of Balotelli after bizarre backheel and furious row with Mancini
Mario Balotelli is facing up to a player backlash at Manchester City after his latest gaffe provoked an angry reaction among his team.
The Italian striker incurred the wrath of several first-team stars, as well as his manager Roberto Mancini, after wasting a glorious opportunity to score in a friendly against LA Galaxy.
Rather than take on a simple shot when clean through on goal, Balotelli attempted a bizarre pirouette and backheel which spectacularly failed much to the bemusement of everyone around him.
Midfielder Nigel de Jong was unhappy at his team-mates showboating and backed Mancini's decision to haul the striker off within minutes of the incident. He suggested the entire team agreed it was the right thing to do despite just half an hour being on the clock.
He said: 'Everybody's seen it, it wasn't a great action and the coach took a decision to take him off. That's a decision that's been made and that's a statement that the group is behind him.
'If you are near the target, you should make an attempt to score. Everybody knows that, and Balotelli too. I hope he learns from this moment and that we as a group to emerge stronger.'
Former Aston Villa man James Milner, who was sent on in place of Balotelli by an irate Mancini, was equally disappointed not see the 20-year-old at least attempt to find the target sensibly.
'Obviously I would like him to put that into the back of the net, but Mario is Mario, he does some strange things sometimes,' Milner told Sky Sports News.
'I think he's shown since he's been here he has obviously got great potential, but he's still young and still learning and hopefully he will get better and maybe learn from these sort of experiences.'
City led 1-0 at the time through a Balotelli penalty but conceded shortly after half-time and required a penalty shootout to eventually overcome David Beckham's MLS outfit.
Mike Magee, who equalised in stunning fashion, also weighed into the argument.
He said: 'It's not something I would do. We might be a step down from the Premier League as far as leagues and stuff, but we know we're good. If that was a 6-0 game and he does that, probably someone would have whacked him. Me, personally, I don't care what the guy does.'
Balotelli reacted furiously to being substituted and become involved in a heated exchange with his manager.
Speaking afterwards, Mancini said: 'We need to be always professional, always serious, and in that moment I did not think Mario did this. That is why I took him off.
‘He knows he made a mistake. In football you should always be serious and if you have a chance to score, you should score. I hope he has learned his lesson.
‘It is punishment enough for him to be substituted after 30 minutes. But for me it is now finished.
‘But Mario is young. Sometimes he makes mistakes. But I want to help him always. If Mario is serious, he can play for 90 minutes. If not, then he will join me on the bench, as he did. It is the same for all players.’
Asked what Balotelli had said to him, Mancini replied: 'It was in Italian. In English I would find it difficult to give you the translation. But Mario is streetwise, he knows he was not offside.'
Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said: ‘I thought it was odd. I don’t know what the player was thinking, whether he thought he was offside or not.’
Elsewhere, Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton took to Twitter to share his thoughts on the incident.
He wrote: 'Mario Balotelli is fully off his barnet... from now on am referring to him as "The Renegade"... he amuses me greatly with his antics.'
Later he added: '"The Renegade" is definitely mentally unstable, some of his stunts are the ultimate in lunacy. How do u [sic] manage such a complex person??'
In another tweet, he said: 'Am genuinely worried that "renegade" might harm himself if this perverse behaviour, is not addressed. He needs understanding not undermining.'
NASRI'S ONE YEAR TO STAY
SAMIR NASRI has told Arsenal he is staying at the club for this season.
And Gunners skipper Cesc Fabregas’ future it set to be decided by Monday, with his chances of remaining at the club boosted by Barcelona’s attitude towards his signing.
Nasri, who has been a £20m target for Manchester City this summer and also courted by Manchester United and Chelsea, has accepted Arsenal’s stance that they will not be selling him.
Boss Arsene Wenger said earlier this month Arsenal did not deserve to call themselves a big club if they let star players like Nasri and Fabregas leave.
And the Frenchman has the support of the board, with members accepting midfielder Nasri can leave on a free next summer if he does not sign a new contract.
City tried to entice Nasri with a deal worth £160,000 a week but the France international has agreed to put his future on hold for another year.
Starsport revealed last week that the club were set to up their pay offer from £90,000 a week to £115,000 but Nasri knows he will be in a strong position next summer if he lets his contract run down.
He will command a signing on fee of around £10m plus big wages if he becomes a Bosman free.
The Fabregas saga is due to be concluded by Monday, with Arsenal wanting Barca to improve their £34m offer to much nearer their £40m valuation.
Starsport understands that despite Barca claiming they can wait until the end of next month, the Gunners want it sorted out.
Wenger wants to know whether Fabregas is stay- ing prior to the Gunners’ media day a week tomorrow when squad photographs will be taken and numbers assigned.
Fabregas, 24, is thought to have been less than impressed with Barca’s attitude after they revealed he was only their second target this season, behind Chilean Alexis Sanchez.
“Sanchez was always our No.1 target,” said their negotiator, vice-president Josep Bartomeu. “Fabregas
was always No. 2.”
Manchester City's eight transfer hits and misses
The quest to find a goalscorer at Man City has not ben entirely successful.
Robinho: £32.5 million, 41 apps, 14 goals
Manchester City stunned the world when they paid a British record for the Brazilian, but his on-pitch impact was fleeting. Lent to Santos and sold to AC Milan.
Jo: £18 million, 21 apps, 1 goal
Signed by Mark Hughes from CSKA Moscow in 2008, the Brazilian failed to impress and is now on his fourth loan spell.
Craig Bellamy: £14 million, 40 apps, 12 goals
Brought in by Hughes in January 2009, the Welshman remains popular among fans but – in entirely predictable fashion – fell out with Roberto Mancini before being lent to Cardiff.
Roque Santa Cruz: £18 million, 20 apps, 3 goals
Pursued by Hughes for a year, injuries restricted the Paraguayan to a bit-part role. Ostracised by Mancini and lent to Blackburn, where he failed to score in five games.
Carlos Tévez: £32 million, 63 apps, 43 goals
The one outstanding striker at Eastlands since Abu Dhabi took control, and a talismanic figure at the club. Glorious on the pitch, but troubled off it, the 27-year-old is determined to leave.
Emmanuel Adebayor: £25 million, 34 apps, 15 goals
The Togolese managed a more than respectable strike-rate that was dwarfed only by his penchant for disruption. Fell foul of Arsenal’s fans and Mancini, and was lent to Real Madrid.
Mario Balotelli: £18 million, 17 apps, 6 goals
Had City bought the Italian for entertainment, he would have provided excellent value – darts, kung-fu, chicken hats, parking tickets and the rest. Per goal, he is rather more expensive.
Edin Dzeko: £27 million, 21 apps, 6 goals
The Bosnian, a terror in his time at Wolfsburg, has proved surprisingly inept in England, managing just two goals in the Premier League and grateful to the likes of Notts County for boosting his figures.
[spoiler]
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OTHER BOLLOX
Manchester United are set to make a renewed bid to sign Inter Milan playmaker Wesley Sneijder. The Telegraph
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew will go all out to sign Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe if he fails to land his top target, Paris Saint-Germain's Turkish forward Mevlut Erdinc. The Sun
Tottenham hope to complete a deal for Barcelona midfielder Ibrahim Afellay, who has been forced to settle for a bit-part role since joining the Catalan giants from PSV Eindhoven in January. Daily Mirror
And Harry Redknapp's side are also interested in signing Spain international striker Fernando Llorente from Athletic Bilbao as they look to bolster their striker options ahead of the new season. caughtoffside.com
Tottenham are also considering a move for Hamburg striker Paulo Guerrero, after the Peru star revealed he is considering leaving the Imtech Arena. fanatix.com
Heading out of the White Hart Lane exit door, though, is Giovani dos Santos, who the club have agreed to sell to Seville - one day after a clause demanding the Londoners pay 10% of the fee to Barcelona expires. The Times
Birmingham are struggling to pay their bills and could be forced to sell more players to survive after owner Carson Yeung's assets were frozen in the Far East pending his money-laundering court case. The Mirror
Arsenal are monitoring Anderlecht midfielder Lucas Biglia's availability and could submit a bid for the Argentine before the end of the month. Metro
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is keen to bring Reading striker Shane Long to Upton Park, but says the club have received no offers for midfielder Scott Parker and rejected one from West Brom for goalkeeper Rob Green. (Sky Sports)
Blackburn boss Steve Kean says he will go on a spending spree before the start of the new season, bolstered by the fee the club received from Manchester United for Phil Jones.
Full story: Daily Record
Liverpool are also interested in Long, having sent scouts to watch the Republic of Ireland international score twice during Reading's friendly against Northampton last weekend. Daily Mail
The Mersersiders are also willing to bide their time before making a cut-price swoop for Newcastle left back Jose Enrique, who appears to have fallen out of favour with the club's owners at St James' Park after publicly criticising the club's transfer policy. The Mirror
However, Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is still keen to keep hold of Jose Enrique after the Spaniard's impressive showings last season. Metro
Manchester United are planning a triple Brazilian swoop with the signings of Flamengo whiz Adryan, Sao Paulo starlet Lucas and Santos playmaker Ganso. caughtoffside.com
Another club on the verge of finalising a triple swoop is Liverpool, who have targeted Pachuca starlet Marco Bueno, Nacho of Albacete and USA Under-17 ace Villyan Bijev. fanatix.com
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez is targeting a move for Leeds winger Robert Snodgrass. The Mirror
Sunderland may look to continue their summer spending with a cut-price move for West Ham striker Frederic Piquionne. Daily Mail
Blackburn are set to beat Vitesse Arnhem to the signing of Partizan Belgrade's defensive midfielder Radosav Petrovic. Daily Mirror
Arsenal are planning a bid for Chelsea defender Alex. caughtoffside.com
Wigan have expressed an interest in Derry City winger James McClean as they seek a replacement for Charles N'Zogbia, who looks set to join Aston Villa. Daily Mail
Swansea have agreed a £1.75m fee for Middlesbrough striker Leroy Lita, 26. Brendan Rodgers has been pursuing Lita and his strike partner Marvin Emnes all summer. Daily Mail
Rangers have been told they must pay £2m if they want to sign David Goodwillie from Dundee United. Daily Record
Blackburn manager Steve Kean believes the Ewood Park outfit can make it into the Champions League in four years. Daily Mirror
England face the possibility that they might have to play France in the qualifying groups for the 2014 World Cup finals, which are drawn on Saturday night in Brazil. France have not regained their position among the top nine ranked international teams in Europe, meaning they are in the second pot for the qualifying draw in Rio de Janeiro. The Independent
Karl-Heinze Rummenigge, the chairman of the European Club Association (ECA) has called for a club-led "revolution" against the "corrupt people" who govern football and called for his members to have a say in Fifa's decision-making process. The Guardian
Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov insists he will not change his languid style in the forthcoming season, saying: "There is a saying in Bulgaria that great quality doesn't require much effort." The Sun
A picture of David Cameron and his Spanish counterpart Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero flanking Cesc Fabregas has gone viral, sparking rumours the Arsenal-Barcelona transfer saga has turned into an 'international incident'. Metro
Former England captain David Beckham has penned an open letter urging aid and support for the people of Somalia in the midst of their food crisis in his role as a Unicef Goodwill Ambassador. The Mirror
Sergio Aguero has expressed his delight at arriving in Manchester to complete his £38million move from Atletico Madrid to Roberto Mancini's City.
The Argentine flew from his homeland on Tuesday night after the two clubs struck the multi-million pound deal, and took to social networking site Twitter on arrival.
He wrote: 'Just landed in Manchester to finalize the details of the offer with the City. Everything is fine! In a while I'll tell you more.'
It is understood City already have a clear idea of his personal demands and do not expect discussions to take very long.
The highly rated 23-year-old is expected to put his name to a five-year contract worth around £200,000 a week and his arrival will certainly please manager Mancini.
City are expected to lose Carlos Tevez in the coming weeks and with doubts remaining over the reliability of Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli, Mancini needs a proven goalscorer before the Barclays Premier League season begins in two-and-a-half weeks.
Blue move: Aguero is keen to finalise his move to City and refused to return to training with Atletico
Aguero has recently played with his compatriot Tevez in the Copa America and as such will be allowed some holiday before beginning his new life at the Etihad Stadium.
Tevez has been told to report back for training with Mancini's squad on August 4 and the same will apply to Aguero, meaning neither player is expected to start in the Community Shield against neighbours and rivals Manchester United three days later.
Adding to the ranks: City boss Mancini is hopeful of completing a deal before the squad visit Ireland
City travel to the Republic of Ireland on Friday for two games in the Dublin Super Cup, including the pick against Inter Milan on Sunday.
City's deal with Aguero is thought to have been sealed after the striker talked the move through with his wife Giannina, who is Diego Maradona's daughter, in Argentina over the weekend.
Injury-plagued Man City midfielder Johnson offered lifeline by Wolves
Wolves are considering a loan move for Manchester City midfielder Michael Johnson.
The 23-year-old, who is also wanted by Leeds United, is fit again after a knee injury. Liverpool's Jay Spearing is also under consideration for Wolves.
City's England youth winger Kieran Trippier, 20, has joined Burnley on loan as a replacement for Chris Eagles.
City stars unite in criticism of Balotelli after bizarre backheel and furious row with Mancini
Mario Balotelli is facing up to a player backlash at Manchester City after his latest gaffe provoked an angry reaction among his team.
The Italian striker incurred the wrath of several first-team stars, as well as his manager Roberto Mancini, after wasting a glorious opportunity to score in a friendly against LA Galaxy.
Rather than take on a simple shot when clean through on goal, Balotelli attempted a bizarre pirouette and backheel which spectacularly failed much to the bemusement of everyone around him.
Midfielder Nigel de Jong was unhappy at his team-mates showboating and backed Mancini's decision to haul the striker off within minutes of the incident. He suggested the entire team agreed it was the right thing to do despite just half an hour being on the clock.
He said: 'Everybody's seen it, it wasn't a great action and the coach took a decision to take him off. That's a decision that's been made and that's a statement that the group is behind him.
'If you are near the target, you should make an attempt to score. Everybody knows that, and Balotelli too. I hope he learns from this moment and that we as a group to emerge stronger.'
Former Aston Villa man James Milner, who was sent on in place of Balotelli by an irate Mancini, was equally disappointed not see the 20-year-old at least attempt to find the target sensibly.
'Obviously I would like him to put that into the back of the net, but Mario is Mario, he does some strange things sometimes,' Milner told Sky Sports News.
'I think he's shown since he's been here he has obviously got great potential, but he's still young and still learning and hopefully he will get better and maybe learn from these sort of experiences.'
City led 1-0 at the time through a Balotelli penalty but conceded shortly after half-time and required a penalty shootout to eventually overcome David Beckham's MLS outfit.
Mike Magee, who equalised in stunning fashion, also weighed into the argument.
He said: 'It's not something I would do. We might be a step down from the Premier League as far as leagues and stuff, but we know we're good. If that was a 6-0 game and he does that, probably someone would have whacked him. Me, personally, I don't care what the guy does.'
Balotelli reacted furiously to being substituted and become involved in a heated exchange with his manager.
Speaking afterwards, Mancini said: 'We need to be always professional, always serious, and in that moment I did not think Mario did this. That is why I took him off.
‘He knows he made a mistake. In football you should always be serious and if you have a chance to score, you should score. I hope he has learned his lesson.
‘It is punishment enough for him to be substituted after 30 minutes. But for me it is now finished.
‘But Mario is young. Sometimes he makes mistakes. But I want to help him always. If Mario is serious, he can play for 90 minutes. If not, then he will join me on the bench, as he did. It is the same for all players.’
Asked what Balotelli had said to him, Mancini replied: 'It was in Italian. In English I would find it difficult to give you the translation. But Mario is streetwise, he knows he was not offside.'
Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said: ‘I thought it was odd. I don’t know what the player was thinking, whether he thought he was offside or not.’
Elsewhere, Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton took to Twitter to share his thoughts on the incident.
He wrote: 'Mario Balotelli is fully off his barnet... from now on am referring to him as "The Renegade"... he amuses me greatly with his antics.'
Later he added: '"The Renegade" is definitely mentally unstable, some of his stunts are the ultimate in lunacy. How do u [sic] manage such a complex person??'
In another tweet, he said: 'Am genuinely worried that "renegade" might harm himself if this perverse behaviour, is not addressed. He needs understanding not undermining.'
NASRI'S ONE YEAR TO STAY
SAMIR NASRI has told Arsenal he is staying at the club for this season.
And Gunners skipper Cesc Fabregas’ future it set to be decided by Monday, with his chances of remaining at the club boosted by Barcelona’s attitude towards his signing.
Nasri, who has been a £20m target for Manchester City this summer and also courted by Manchester United and Chelsea, has accepted Arsenal’s stance that they will not be selling him.
Boss Arsene Wenger said earlier this month Arsenal did not deserve to call themselves a big club if they let star players like Nasri and Fabregas leave.
And the Frenchman has the support of the board, with members accepting midfielder Nasri can leave on a free next summer if he does not sign a new contract.
City tried to entice Nasri with a deal worth £160,000 a week but the France international has agreed to put his future on hold for another year.
Starsport revealed last week that the club were set to up their pay offer from £90,000 a week to £115,000 but Nasri knows he will be in a strong position next summer if he lets his contract run down.
He will command a signing on fee of around £10m plus big wages if he becomes a Bosman free.
The Fabregas saga is due to be concluded by Monday, with Arsenal wanting Barca to improve their £34m offer to much nearer their £40m valuation.
Starsport understands that despite Barca claiming they can wait until the end of next month, the Gunners want it sorted out.
Wenger wants to know whether Fabregas is stay- ing prior to the Gunners’ media day a week tomorrow when squad photographs will be taken and numbers assigned.
Fabregas, 24, is thought to have been less than impressed with Barca’s attitude after they revealed he was only their second target this season, behind Chilean Alexis Sanchez.
“Sanchez was always our No.1 target,” said their negotiator, vice-president Josep Bartomeu. “Fabregas
was always No. 2.”
Manchester City's eight transfer hits and misses
The quest to find a goalscorer at Man City has not ben entirely successful.
Robinho: £32.5 million, 41 apps, 14 goals
Manchester City stunned the world when they paid a British record for the Brazilian, but his on-pitch impact was fleeting. Lent to Santos and sold to AC Milan.
Jo: £18 million, 21 apps, 1 goal
Signed by Mark Hughes from CSKA Moscow in 2008, the Brazilian failed to impress and is now on his fourth loan spell.
Craig Bellamy: £14 million, 40 apps, 12 goals
Brought in by Hughes in January 2009, the Welshman remains popular among fans but – in entirely predictable fashion – fell out with Roberto Mancini before being lent to Cardiff.
Roque Santa Cruz: £18 million, 20 apps, 3 goals
Pursued by Hughes for a year, injuries restricted the Paraguayan to a bit-part role. Ostracised by Mancini and lent to Blackburn, where he failed to score in five games.
Carlos Tévez: £32 million, 63 apps, 43 goals
The one outstanding striker at Eastlands since Abu Dhabi took control, and a talismanic figure at the club. Glorious on the pitch, but troubled off it, the 27-year-old is determined to leave.
Emmanuel Adebayor: £25 million, 34 apps, 15 goals
The Togolese managed a more than respectable strike-rate that was dwarfed only by his penchant for disruption. Fell foul of Arsenal’s fans and Mancini, and was lent to Real Madrid.
Mario Balotelli: £18 million, 17 apps, 6 goals
Had City bought the Italian for entertainment, he would have provided excellent value – darts, kung-fu, chicken hats, parking tickets and the rest. Per goal, he is rather more expensive.
Edin Dzeko: £27 million, 21 apps, 6 goals
The Bosnian, a terror in his time at Wolfsburg, has proved surprisingly inept in England, managing just two goals in the Premier League and grateful to the likes of Notts County for boosting his figures.
[spoiler]

OTHER BOLLOX
Manchester United are set to make a renewed bid to sign Inter Milan playmaker Wesley Sneijder. The Telegraph
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew will go all out to sign Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe if he fails to land his top target, Paris Saint-Germain's Turkish forward Mevlut Erdinc. The Sun
Tottenham hope to complete a deal for Barcelona midfielder Ibrahim Afellay, who has been forced to settle for a bit-part role since joining the Catalan giants from PSV Eindhoven in January. Daily Mirror
And Harry Redknapp's side are also interested in signing Spain international striker Fernando Llorente from Athletic Bilbao as they look to bolster their striker options ahead of the new season. caughtoffside.com
Tottenham are also considering a move for Hamburg striker Paulo Guerrero, after the Peru star revealed he is considering leaving the Imtech Arena. fanatix.com
Heading out of the White Hart Lane exit door, though, is Giovani dos Santos, who the club have agreed to sell to Seville - one day after a clause demanding the Londoners pay 10% of the fee to Barcelona expires. The Times
Birmingham are struggling to pay their bills and could be forced to sell more players to survive after owner Carson Yeung's assets were frozen in the Far East pending his money-laundering court case. The Mirror
Arsenal are monitoring Anderlecht midfielder Lucas Biglia's availability and could submit a bid for the Argentine before the end of the month. Metro
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is keen to bring Reading striker Shane Long to Upton Park, but says the club have received no offers for midfielder Scott Parker and rejected one from West Brom for goalkeeper Rob Green. (Sky Sports)
Blackburn boss Steve Kean says he will go on a spending spree before the start of the new season, bolstered by the fee the club received from Manchester United for Phil Jones.
Full story: Daily Record
Liverpool are also interested in Long, having sent scouts to watch the Republic of Ireland international score twice during Reading's friendly against Northampton last weekend. Daily Mail
The Mersersiders are also willing to bide their time before making a cut-price swoop for Newcastle left back Jose Enrique, who appears to have fallen out of favour with the club's owners at St James' Park after publicly criticising the club's transfer policy. The Mirror
However, Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is still keen to keep hold of Jose Enrique after the Spaniard's impressive showings last season. Metro
Manchester United are planning a triple Brazilian swoop with the signings of Flamengo whiz Adryan, Sao Paulo starlet Lucas and Santos playmaker Ganso. caughtoffside.com
Another club on the verge of finalising a triple swoop is Liverpool, who have targeted Pachuca starlet Marco Bueno, Nacho of Albacete and USA Under-17 ace Villyan Bijev. fanatix.com
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez is targeting a move for Leeds winger Robert Snodgrass. The Mirror
Sunderland may look to continue their summer spending with a cut-price move for West Ham striker Frederic Piquionne. Daily Mail
Blackburn are set to beat Vitesse Arnhem to the signing of Partizan Belgrade's defensive midfielder Radosav Petrovic. Daily Mirror
Arsenal are planning a bid for Chelsea defender Alex. caughtoffside.com
Wigan have expressed an interest in Derry City winger James McClean as they seek a replacement for Charles N'Zogbia, who looks set to join Aston Villa. Daily Mail
Swansea have agreed a £1.75m fee for Middlesbrough striker Leroy Lita, 26. Brendan Rodgers has been pursuing Lita and his strike partner Marvin Emnes all summer. Daily Mail
Rangers have been told they must pay £2m if they want to sign David Goodwillie from Dundee United. Daily Record
Blackburn manager Steve Kean believes the Ewood Park outfit can make it into the Champions League in four years. Daily Mirror
England face the possibility that they might have to play France in the qualifying groups for the 2014 World Cup finals, which are drawn on Saturday night in Brazil. France have not regained their position among the top nine ranked international teams in Europe, meaning they are in the second pot for the qualifying draw in Rio de Janeiro. The Independent
Karl-Heinze Rummenigge, the chairman of the European Club Association (ECA) has called for a club-led "revolution" against the "corrupt people" who govern football and called for his members to have a say in Fifa's decision-making process. The Guardian
Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov insists he will not change his languid style in the forthcoming season, saying: "There is a saying in Bulgaria that great quality doesn't require much effort." The Sun
A picture of David Cameron and his Spanish counterpart Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero flanking Cesc Fabregas has gone viral, sparking rumours the Arsenal-Barcelona transfer saga has turned into an 'international incident'. Metro
Former England captain David Beckham has penned an open letter urging aid and support for the people of Somalia in the midst of their food crisis in his role as a Unicef Goodwill Ambassador. The Mirror