Manchester United boss believes RvP will snub interest from neighbours City and Italian champs Juventus and link up with Wayne Rooney
Manchester United believe they have won the £20million race to sign Robin van Persie.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is confident the Arsenal captain will team up with Wayne Rooney to form a formidable strike-force in a rebuilt side he hopes can win back the title.
Van Persie scored 30 Premier League goals last term to help the Gunners to third in the table, while Rooney struck 27 times for United.
Ferguson is understood to have told footballing friends he believes van Persie will be moving to Old Trafford, despite the interest of money-bags Premier League champions Manchester City and Italian league winners Juventus.
Selling his skipper to Sir Alex would be a huge blow to Gunners boss Arsene Wenger.
It would come 12 months after a summer that saw City buy Samir Nasri and Barcelona purchase then-captain Cesc Fabregas.
But Arsenal have little option but to sell - unless they want to lose van Persie for nothing next summer, as the forward has announced he will not sign a new deal.
City are committed to off-loading players before sanctioning more big spending and, despite the champions’ vastly superior financial clout, van Persie is believed to have been most tempted by a move to Old Trafford.
The 28-year-old Holland star was back in training this week after Euro 2012 and with a number of bids already made, Arsenal are keen to decide on his future before leaving on a Far East tour this weekend.MIRROR
Moratta: Van Persie signing is a 'fans dream'
Serie A champions Juventus know what they have to do to sign Robin van Persie, according to general director Giuseppe Moratta.
The Dutchman is expected to leave Arsenal this summer after snubbing the opportunity to sign a new deal with the Gunners.
Reports suggest Manchester City and Manchester United are keen to sign the 28-year-old, who has just 12 months left to run on his current contract.
The Old Lady have also expressed an interest in Van Persie, with the Italian outfit expected to strengthen their front-line during the transfer window.
And Moratta has admitted the Turin team are trying to snare the Gunners captain, saying: "[Robin] van Persie is a fans' dream.
"Everyone has dreams but then you have to confront this with the reality.
"We know what we have to do, and that is the important thing."
Money worries leaves Adebayor's switch to Tottenham from City in doubt
Emmanuel Adebayor's £6million move to Tottenham from Manchester City has stalled because of the striker's wage demands.
Spurs had hoped to have the former Arsenal man ready and training with them this week and were happy to make him the best paid player in the club’s history - earning in the region of £115,000-per-week, inclusive of bonuses and add-ons.
The Togo international spent last season on loan at White Hart Lane under Harry Redknapp, but Andre Villas-Boas is happy to sanction a permanent switch.
Tottenham are currently short of strikers, with Jermain Defoe the only recognised centre-forward in the squad.
Adebayor had three and a half years with Arsenal before joining City for £25m in 2009. MAIL
Dzeko slams City exit reports
Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko has made it clear he will not be leaving the club this summer after reports claimed he would love to join AC Milan.
The Bosnia international has been out-of-favour at City, but is keen to prove his worth next season and help the Citizens retain their Premier League crown.
On Wednesday his representative, Sead Susic, was quoted on the Spazio Milan website as saying: "Edin would love to play in Serie A and with the Rossoneri. A move to AC Milan is more than possible."
However, Dezeko has dismissed the reports, confirming he will stay with City as he is totally focused on helping Premier League champions.
"After new speculation about my departure from City and the statements of individuals, who are talking like they are my manager, I would like to inform the public that I have not had any negotiations with Milan," he said on his official website.
"My manager is Irfan Redzepagic and neither of us are pushing for my departure from City.
"I'm only focused on Manchester City and I do not care about media speculation, especially when it comes from people who have nothing to do with me."
CITY SNUB COUNT: 341
OFFICIAL 'ON THIS DAY' BOLLOX
Looking back through the history books for the events, signings and memorable matches that happened on this day in City’s history.
Thursday 19th July 1990
Howard Kendall’s City start their Swedish tour with a 4-0 win over Pitea. It was Kendall’s first full pre-season after joining the Blues part-way through the 1989/90 campaign.
City scored 32 goals in their five games in preparation for what was a solid season.
Tuesday 19th July 2011
Jo left Manchester City for Brazilian club Internacional.
The forward was Mark Hughes’ first signing for Manchester City, joining from CSKA Moscow in July 2008.
The 24-year-old made a total of 41 appearances, scoring six goals but at times he struggled for form and was loaned out to Everton midway through the 2008-09 season. He then returned to Goodison Park for part of the following season, which also included a loan spell at Turkish giants Galatasaray.
In his final season for the club, he spent a large amount of time on the bench, playing the occasional game under Roberto Mancini and scoring three goals in the Carling Cup and Europa League.
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]OTHER BOLLOX
KICKING RACISM OUT OF FOOTBALL ... LITERALLY
[youtube]p-m0TC_rtm0[/youtube]
Financial Fair Play readies for the end of the season
While the new football season is not too far away and supporters’ minds are focusing on the big kick-off, many clubs are having to look forward to the implementation of UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations at the close of the season.
An attempt to curtail the huge levels of debt and financial losses in European football, Financial Fair Play (FFP) is set to come into play after the coming season and thus 2012/13 offers the last chance for clubs to reign in their finances.
Market value
Despite assurances from leading clubs that they’re working towards being self-sustainable (most notably from Chelsea and Man City in recent seasons) and threats of penalties and European-competition exclusion, there is significant doubt that the scheme will really work to reduce debt and reduce the effects of ‘sugar daddies’.
Man City – makers of a record £197m loss last season and the only Premier League club where wages exceed revenue – in particular have been accused of working around FFP by effectively sponsoring their own stadium, however EUFA will claim any payments ‘above market value’ will be investigated.
Meanwhile, clubs with huge but ‘sustainable’ debt covered by revenues – including Manchester United, Barcelona and Real Madrid – will avoid any serious penalties, despite Man Utd fans having their own concerns about the ownership and financial management of the club.
Hurt and favour
Certainly the recent liquidation of Rangers Football Club in Scotland heightens the clear need for more stringent financial controls in football and to stop clubs paying out against their means and protect supporters. Whether cheering in the stands or impersonating their heroes on the 5 a side football pitch, football fans are the people who are really getting hurt.
However while it could stop clubs going ‘bust’ there are concerns from the football community at large that FFP will not level the playing field. In essence acceptable business debt will still exist, and the clubs with huge revenues will continue as is while smaller clubs will struggle to bridge that financial gap – we could see further dominance of the ‘favoured few’ power clubs.
How Paris Saint-Germain's £150m spending spree compares to Abramovich's Chelsea & Abu Dhabi's Manchester City
PSG turned into a European giant after being taken over by QIA in May 2011, but how has their spending compared to the first 14 months of the English duo's opulent ownerships?
On May 31, 2011, a new dawn was signalled for Paris Saint-Germain when they were taken over by the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA). Previously a big club floundering in the middle of the Ligue 1 table due to a recent history of mismanagement and a lack of direction, the first step to becoming a European superpower had been taken. http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3274/lig ... ompares-to
Andre Villas-Boas has told Luka Modric, who has been linked with Real Madrid and Manchester United, he will not be leaving Tottenham until Spurs' £35m valuation is met. Daily Mirror
Chelsea have reopened talks with Marseille over Spanish right-back Cesar Azpilicueta, 22, who would cost £7m. Daily Mail
Midfielder Florent Malouda is one of several Blues player who will be told they can leave Stamford Bridge. the Sun
Borussia Dortmund's Polish striker Robert Lewandowski, 23, has opened the door on a move to Manchester United by revealing he wants to play in the Premier League. talkShit
Liverpool striker Andy Carroll wants his future resolved in the next week. The England international, 23, has been linked with Newcastle, Fulham and Aston Villa. Daily Mirror
The Anfield club have been told they must pay £10m if they want to sign Fulham striker Clint Dempsey. Daily Star
Arsenal and Liverpool are both monitoring Barcelona forward Ibrahim Afellay after the Dutchman, 26, was told he would only have a peripheral role under new manager Tito Vilanova. talkShit
Fulham have opened talks with French side Evian to sign Ivory Coast striker Yannick Sagbo, 24, who would cost around £3.5m. Manager Martin Jol has also considered Huddersfield's Jordan Rhodes and Juventus veteran Vincenzo Iaquinta, 32. Daily Mail
Fulham are set to move for Nigel Reo-Coker, 28, who is a free agent after leaving Bolton following their relegation. Daily Mirror
Arsenal have been told to increase their offer for French prospect M'Baye Niang, 17, after having a bid rejected by Caen. talkShit
Newcastle have fallen behind Inter Milan and Napoli in the race for Lyon's France international defender Aly Cissokho, 24. talkShite
Sunderland are leading the race to sign 21-year-old Blackpool winger Matt Phillips, but face stiff competition from Everton and Wigan. Daily Star
Leeds are set to sign striker Luke Varney, 29, from Portsmouth but will pay the £300,000 fee to Derby - who are still owed from Varney's move to Fratton Park last summer. Daily Mirror
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is ready to open contract talks with England winger Theo Walcott, whose current deal expires next summer. Metro
Gary Neville has backed Stuart Pearce over Beckham. Daily Mirror
Blackburn have taken Freiburg's Mali international striker Garra Dembele, 26, on trial. Lancashire Telegraph
Former Chelsea defender Alex believes Andre Villas-Boas should have been given more time at Stamford Bridge - despite being dumped by the Portuguese. Daily Mirror
Alan Pardew and his Newcastle players took a break from their pre-season training camp in Germany on Wednesday by enjoying a two-hour white water rafting session. the Sun
Liverpool's players are expected to win the ball back within seven seconds of losing possession and are given thorough details of the passing options they must offer every team-mate, wherever they are on the pitch, under new manager Brendan Rodgers. Daily Telegraph
GOLDEN BOLLOX - Aug 2009
Manchester United have failed in a bid to sign midfielder Stephen Ireland from rivals Manchester City. Sunday Mirror
Blackburn are set to land Manchester City striker Benjani in £2m deal. Sunday Mirror
Portsmouth are keen to bring in Manchester City midfielder Michael Johnson and Aston Villa defender Nicky Shorey on loan. People
Portsmouth are also set to sign Manchester City's Israeli defender Tal Ben Haim as replacement for Sylvain Distin, who has joined Everton. Sunday Mirror
Eider Gudjohnsen has rejected an offer from Manchester City and three other Premier League clubs and is set to sign for French side Monaco. Sunday Mirror
Manchester City want to appoint former Manchester United number two Brian Kidd to their backroom staff. News of the World
Defender in the money is Richard Dunne, who has secured a £6m golden farewell from Manchester City ahead of his proposed move to Aston Villa. Sunday Express
Manchester City and England Under-21 defender Nedum Onuoha is considering an offer to play for Nigeria. Sunday Mirror
More transfer rumour Bollox can be found on this MCF.net thread ... viewtopic.php?f=119&t=43391
