Manchester United and Manchester City look set for a massive transfer snub - with Javi Martinez close to joining Bayern Munich.
The German giants are still reeling from their Champions League heartbreak to Chelsea and now they're planning on a squad overhaul this summer - with Martinez in their sights.
City and United both want the Athletic Bilbao star, who is currently at Euro 2012 with Spain.
Indeed, City believed they would sign the defensive midfielder but it appears their move has been hijacked.
Munich have approached Bilbao and are keen on striking a deal quickly, with Martinez said to be open to a switch to Germany.
The 23-year-old, who can also play in the centre of defence, would command a fee in excess of £25m.
Bayern can pay that with no problem and they are increasingly confident of landing Martinez.
Guidetti will not rejoin Feyenoord on loan, according to sporting director
The Swedish forward, who joined Ronald Koeman's side last season, will not return to De Kuip, and will stay at the Premier League champions according to the club official
Manchester City striker John Guidetti will not re-join Feyenoord on loan, according to the Dutch club's technical director Martin van Geel.
Guidetti moved to De Kuip on loan from the English champions last season, scoring 20 goals in 23 appearances in the Eredivisie.
The Daily Mirror had already reported this week that the Dutch side will again loan out the Swedish international, but this has been quashed by van Geel who remains adamant that the rumour is of "the greatest nonsense" according to RTV Rijnmond.
However, van Geel revealed that the Rotterdam-based club are set to renew a loan deal for fellow Man City winger Omar Elabdellaoui to return for the 2012-13 season.
"I expect no problems, we want to finalize the deal next week." the director continued.
The 20 year old is currently on holiday, with the two parties set to meet in the near future to conclude negotiations.
Manchester City primed to make formal offer for Arsenal striker Robin van Persie
Manchester City are ready to capitalise on Holland’s early exit from Euro 2012 by launching a formal move for Robin van Persie.
Van Persie, whose Arsenal contract expires at the end of next season, has so far resisted attempts by the London club to extend his current deal and is aware that he remains Roberto Mancini’s number one target this summer.
City have yet to lodge a bid with Arsenal for Van Persie, with the Premier League champions reluctant to offer more than £20 million because of the player’s age – he is 29 in August – and his dwindling contract.
Van Persie, currently on holiday in the Caribbean, is expected to join his team-mates on Arsenal’s pre-season tour of Asia.
But the player is rumoured to have studied properties in the Cheshire area and City are confident that they can secure his services if they move swiftly to thwart rival interest from Barcelona and Italian champions Juventus.
City manager Mancini is determined to avoid a similar scenario to last summer when the club missed out on primary target Alexis Sanchez to Barcelona before becoming embroiled in a protracted, but ultimately successful, pursuit of Samir Nasri from Arsenal.
Mancini has already seen City fail to land Eden Hazard from Lille this summer, with Chelsea winning the race for the Belgian playmaker.
But the Italian believes that City are in a strong position to tempt Van Persie to the Etihad Stadium having won the title last season, and he has instructed football administrator Brian Marwood to make the Dutch striker a priority.
City are due to play Arsenal in a friendly in Beijing on July 27, opening up the possibility of a frosty atmosphere between the two clubs if Van Persie’s future still remains unresolved.
Mancini has been told, however, that he must trim his squad before City make substantial investments in the transfer market this summer.
Out-of-favour players such as Wayne Bridge, Emmanuel Adebayor and Roque Santa Cruz remain on the wage bill and earning salaries that have made them unattractive to potential buyers.
The future of Bosnian forward Edin Dzeko is also in doubt, with Bayern Munich keen to sign the former Wolfsburg striker, who cost City £27 million in January 2011.
Mario Balotelli is another player with an uncertain future at the Etihad, but the Italian is now expected to stay at the club this summer.
Martin Skrtel: Liverpool FC must show me their ambition matches mine
MARTIN SKRTEL would be happy to turn down interest from Manchester City this summer – provided he gets assurances from new Reds boss Brendan Rodgers that Liverpool FC can match his own personal ambitions.
Champions City are preparing to lure the Slovakian defender to the Etihad Stadium.
The Reds have not received an official bid yet for a man voted Player of the Season at Anfield, but Anfield officials are aware of City’s interest.
The player’s agent Karol Cstonto, however, said: “Some changes have been made at the club and he (Martin Skrtel) wants to know what the aims and ambitions are. And of course, we will discuss the issue of Martin’s new contract.
“Liverpool is a big club and just because they haven’t made the Champions League this year doesn’t mean they would not do it next year.
“There are expectations on both sides, though.”
Roberto Mancini is keen to bolster the champions’ defensive options – with Stefan Savic struggling when called upon last term and AC Milan target Thiago Silva priced at £35m, a fee prohibitive even for City.
Liverpool would be loathe to lose the 27-year-old, but need an indication from Skrtel that he is prepared to commit himself to the club.
Skrtel has two years remaining on his present Anfield contract and was in no hurry to talk about an extension last season.
But that could change, provided Skrtel gets the assurances from manager Rodgers that he is seeking.
Manchester City on alert after Daniele De Rossi hint
Daniele De Rossi has put Manchester City on alert after admitting he is ‘attracted’ to English football.
Roberto Mancini is a long-term admirer of the 28-year-old Italian midfield enforcer, who has also been linked with United in the past.
City are trying to tie Nigel de Jong down to a new long-term deal, with the Dutchman out of contract next summer.
Mancini is looking to add world-class signings to his Premier League champions in a bid to make a genuine challenge in the Champions League next season as well as defend the title.
Despite signing a new five-year contract with Roma in February, De Rossi has now fuelled speculation that he could be tempted by a move to the Premier League. He said: “I have received many offers from English football. And I must say that I feel attraction for it.
“I like English football very much. I think now it’s probably more interesting than Italian football.
“There are lots of outstanding and talented players, as is the case for Spain as well.”
The 28-year-old, who will line-up against England in the Euro 2012 quarter-final on Sunday, added that Steven Gerrard is his favourite player.
“Steven Gerrard has always been my idol,” he said. “Since 10 years ago, he is among the best in the world.
“You see Gerrard defending and attacking here and there. I would like to be able to play more like that.”
Man City make enquiries over Cavani and Falcao
Manchester City have made enquiries regarding the availability of Edinson Cavani and Radamel Falcao, in an attempt to wrap up a deal for a centre forward early in the transfer window.
According to Goal.com , Roberto Mancini is keen on bringing the two South Americans to the Etihad as he looks to offload some of the other attackers already in the squad – also suggesting that Mancini’s interest in Robin Van Persie has cooled despite reports to the contrary today.
Falcao is considered hot property across Europe, having won back-to-back Europa Leagues with two different clubs. He only signed for current side Atheltico Madrid last summer from Porto, on a deal reportedly worth £32 million. He has scored 36 goals in 50 appearances so far at Athletico.
Cavani has been high up on Mancini’s transfer list for the past few seasons, failing to sign him in the last two transfer windows. But this year with interest from other top European clubs it appears the Uruguayan striker could be on his way out of Napoli. He also has an impressive goal scoring record, netting 66 times in 94 games for the Serie A side.
These two transfer targets are part of the Italian managers’ plan to ‘break even’ in this transfer market as he attempts to sell Roque Santa-Cruz, Emmanuel Adebayor, Edin Dzeko and has admitted he will listen to offers for Carlos Tevez - clearing £600,000 from his incredibly high wage bill.
SNUB COUNT: 154
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[/spoiler]OTHER BOLLOX
Luka Modric wants to leave Tottenham and his representatives will tell chairman Daniel Levy as much next week. Manchester United, Real Madrid and Paris St-Germain have been linked with the Croatia midfielder. Daily Mirror
Manchester United are weighing up a move for PSV Eindhoven full-back Jetro Willems, 18, after scouting him during his Euro 2012 appearances for the Netherlands. Metro
Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool are battling it out for Malaga and Venezuela striker Salomon Rondon, 22. Daily Star
Everton are keen on Inter Milan striker Luc Castaignos. The Dutch 19-year-old has made just six appearances for the Italian side since leaving Feyenoord in 2011. talkShit
New Swansea boss Michael Laudrup wants his first buy to be Denmark's Euro 2012 star Michael Krohn-Dehli, 29, from Brondby. Sun
Michael Krohn-Dehli has won 24 caps for Denmark Liverpool Echo
Stoke boss Tony Pulis is considering a move for Wolves winger Matt Jarvis. Stoke Sentinel
Owen Hargreaves will become the latest ex-England player to be fast-tracked through the Football Association's coaching system. Daily Mail
Andre Villas-Boas is confident he will be named the new Tottenham manager, although the club may not announce their successor to Harry Redknapp for another week. Times
Tottenham goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini has welcomed the prospect of Villas-Boas taking over at White Hart Lane. Daily Mail
Lionel Messi insists the day he stops having fun is "the day I retire". Times
The FA will bank a £20m jackpot if England win Euro 2012, but manager Roy Hodgson insists: "I'm not interested in money, just medals." the Sun
Roy Hodgson will tell his players they should not consider themselves inferior to Italy when they meet the nation with four World Cup triumphs to their name, and history on their side, in Sunday's Euro 2012 quarter-final. the Independent
Defender Alvaro Arbeloa has hit back at criticism that Spain are boring. the Guardian
Italy players have joked they will be watching raunchy movies rather than studying England players' penalty techniques.
Daily Mirror
Hair-replacement specialists hope Wayne Rooney's Euro 2012 success will lead to a surge in business. The Metro
