Sunday's B*l**x (updated)
Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2012 11:02 pmMan City linked with stunning move for Real Madrid star
Manchester City have been linked with a stunning £35 million transfer swoop for Real Madrid star Gonzalo Higuain by Mirror Football.
City executive Brian Marwood is said to be favouring a move to bring the Argentine to the Etihad Stadium as boss Roberto Mancini finds himself embroiled in a battle to secure the services of Robin van Persie.
The Arsenal striker is at the centre of a three-way fright between City, Juventus and Manchester United and Marwood is now said to be championing Higuain, who is believed to be unsettled in the Spanish capital.
The 24-year-old striker was linked with City earlier this year when Mancini spoke of his admiration for the player, although Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has publicly stated he wants Higuain to remain at the Bernabeu.
The Argentine has grown increasingly frustrated at the Spanish champions however, as he finds himself behind French forward Karim Benzema in Mourinho’s starting line up.
City meanwhile, fell to a 2-1 friendly defeat at local rivals Oldham Athletic on Tuesday night, despite having the likes of Joe Hart, Nigel de Jong and Samir Nasri in their side.
Mancini’s side now play two further friendlies and the Community Shield before kicking off their Premier League campaign in less with the visit of Southampton to the Etihad Stadium.
Lazio fury at 'poachers' Man City
Lazio are reportedly furious with Manchester City after the club ‘poached’ a 17-year-old Romanian talent from their youth team.
Left-sided winger Vlad Nicolae Marin was promoted to the Primavera side for the Scudetto play-offs and was expected to step up to the senior squad during this season.
However, the Corriere dello Sport claims Manchester City ‘poached’ the youngster by offering him a contract.
Italian rules do not allow players under the age of 18 to sign professional contracts, so in the past starlets like Giuseppe Rossi and Fabio Borini have been picked up by Premier League sides free of charge.
Lazio are said to be particularly angry because Marin had been called up to travel to their pre-season training camp in Rivisondoli and did not turn up.
He had been in training up until two days ago, but wouldn’t answer his phone and disappeared without trace.
It’s reported Marin’s agents claim they too were left in the dark by this move, as he was poached by other representatives
Great Scott! Manchester City plot shock swoop for Swansea star Scott Sinclair in Dazby 'I told you so' prediction Bollox
Mancini has asked about Arsenal’s Theo Walcott, but Sinclair is seen as a cheaper alternative, for as little as £5m, and City would treble his £20,000-a-week Swansea salary
Manchester City are considering making one of the shock moves of the transfer window by launching a bid to sign Team GB winger Scott Sinclair from Swansea.
Sinclair, 23, is stalling on a new Swansea contract and Premier League champions City have moved ahead of Liverpool, Aston Villa and Fulham in the queue to sign him.
Roberto Mancini wants to inject more pace into his team and would like to sell Sunderland target Adam Johnson.
Mancini has asked about Arsenal’s Theo Walcott, but Sinclair is seen as a cheaper alternative, for as little as £5m, and City would treble his £20,000-a-week Swansea salary.
City are also gearing up for a race with AC Milan to sign Marseille rock Nicolas N’Koulou, 22, according to French newspaper Le Parisien.
City boss Roberto Mancini has reportedly switched his focus on to N’Koulou after having seen two bids rejected for Liverpool defender Daniel Agger.
N’Koulou joined Marseille from Monaco last summer, and put in a busy and impressive first season – to the extent that the Cameroon international was reckoned to be on Barcelona's watch list.
That interest seems to have dried up, leaving City and Milan to slug it out.
Argentinian Meals of a rich footballer - Part 1 Aguero
Man City Ready to Sell Sunderland Target Adam Johnson
Man City boss Roberto Mancini is looking to sell Sunderland target Adam Johnson this summer according to the Daily Mirror and Black Cats boss Martin O’Neill would do well to make his interest known before other prospective suitors appear on the horizon.
The 24 year old winger has consistently failed to force his way into Man City’s starting eleven and could well benefit from a move away from the Etihad Stadium so as to re-ignite a career that is in danger of fizzling out at the Premier League title holders.
Though the former Middlesbrough could opt to remain at Man City collecting his large pay packet it’s likely that a continued lack of first team football will have a very negative impact on his personal development and his international hopes.
Johnson was left out of Roy Hodgson’s Euro 2012 squad after the Man City winger managed just ten Premier League starts, a move to Sunderland could help to resurrect the talented wide-man’s career.
O’Neill could well do with some extra creativity in his attack and the chance to move to his hometown club could entice Adam Johnson into a move to the Stadium of Light this summer.
RODNEY MARSH URGES ROBIN VAN PERSIE TO JOIN MANCHESTER CITY
FORMER Man City star Rodney Marsh says Robin van Persie should sign for his old club – because rivals United are a fading force.
Marsh believes there has been a shift of power in Manchester after Roberto Mancini’s men sealed their first Premier League title last season.
And he reckons Van Persie, 29 tomorrow, would be foolish to choose United instead of City as his next club.
Marsh is excited by the prospect of the Arsenal striker playing alongside Sergio Aguero – and thinks City would dominate the Premier League with the Dutch ace in their ranks.
The ex-England man said: “I think City are on the way to the absolute top of football – while United are on the way down. City will be the team who win the trophies over the next few years.”
“Man City now see signing Van Persie as a badge of honour”
Despite being the early frontrunners to sign Arsenal goal machine Robin van Persie, Manchester City now face stiff competition from both Manchester United and Juventus in the race to secure the Dutchman. But as the Life’s a Pitch team explains, Man City will be determined not to lose out in the race to sign Van Persie to their neighbours, while rumours of interest in Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuaín are most likely City “trying to force Van Persie’s hand”.
“That is probably City doing two things,” says journalist and author Ian Ridley of the Higuaín links. “One, showing their fans that they’ve got an alternative [to Van Persie]. And also trying to force Van Persie and his agent’s hand a bit. I think they see this now as a badge of honour to sign Van Persie, [rather than] lose him to United. It won’t be so bad losing him to Juventus, but [securing Van Persie] would be a great statement for United to make and City wouldn’t like that and I don’t think the City owners would like that.”
Man City’s inability to close the Van Persie deal has left boss Roberto Mancini frustrated, particularly as football administration officer Brian Marwood is responsible for transfers, not him. The People’s Dave Kidd believes Mancini should be in charge of his transfers. He explains: “I think Mancini might have a point to be honest. I think the most successful clubs are still run by strong managers in this country. That is the kind of template that works. I think a manager needs to have control over his own transfer policy.”
One transfer that would make life easier for Mancini would be the sale of Carlos Tévez, says the Guardian’s Dominic Fifield. ”You could certainly argue they need a clean break on that front, they’ve been unofficially trying to offload him for over a year now and he’s still on the books. Some interesting comments from his compatriot Pablo Zabaleta suggested that Carlos has changed and has learned from everything that happened last year and will come back a different person in the new season… and 24 hours later Mancini is quoted saying you can’t change Carlos Tévez.”
Arsenal take the opportunity to cast an eye over a Man City player
Nigel de Jong has fallen out of favour at the Etihad Stadium during the club’s Premier League winning campaign last term and now reports in the media have surfaced about potential interest from Italy with Inter Milan looking to bring the Dutchman to the San Siro. The former European Cup winners will face a serious threat from Arsenal, if reports are to be believed, as the London based club are looking to line up a move in order to bring some bite to their midfield.
De Jong was a staple member of the Man City midfield since his arrival from Hamburg for 18 million pounds in 2009. The player is known as the lawnmower for his ability to break down the play of the opposition while sitting comfortably in his slot, in front of the defence. The Dutchman usually plays alongside a midfielder in the holding role which helps increase his impact on the team’s performance.
For Arsenal, De Jong will be able to provide a concrete cover for a defence that has always flattered to deceive. Arsene Wenger could rely on him to consolidate the back four while allowing the likes of Mikel Arteta and Aaron Ramsey to go forward. While Arsenal may face considerable competition to bring the player to the Emirates Stadium, one believes that Nigel de Jong will be a perfect fit at the club and will be able to bring forth his true potential under Arsene Wenger’s tutelage. Footielatest
MANCHESTER CITY want Edin Dzeko to stay ....
... despite the Bosnian striker’s claims he is unsettled at the club.
Boss Roberto Mancini was the first to declare his £27million signing from Wolfsburg 18 months ago was going nowhere – despite Juventus and AC Milan showing huge interest.
And City coach Attilio Lombardo sees no reason why Dzeko, 26, should leave even if the champions do snap up another striker – although the capture of Arsenal’s Robin van Persie is looking unlikely.
Lombardo said: “Dzeko is a big player and I think Manchester City want big players. It is not surprising because Dzeko, for me, is a player who can play. He can have more time here.”
Dzeko is desperate for more minutes on the pitch than last season when he started only 16 games.
He came off the bench 14 times and finished City’s title winning campaign with 14 goals.
Strikers Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli have all pledged their futures to City and the club hope Dzeko will follow suit.
Dzeko has had his falling-outs with Mancini and was quick to apologise after reacting angrily to being substituted against Bayern Munich last September.
But he showed his closeness to Mancini when he chased the City boss across the Etihad pitch during the title celebrations, soaking him with champagne to leave the City boss in fits of laughter.
Mancini wants Dzeko to stay and said: “We have four strikers and it’s unlikely there will be major changes. The same goes for Dzeko as everyone else. His farewell from this club is not expected.”
Last night City defeated Bundesliga outfit Wolsburg 2-0 in the Volkswagen Arena, with goals from Sergio Aguero and Yaya Toure.
Sportsmail Reporter Bollox
Manchester City are poised to firm up interest in Roma midfielder Daniele de Rossi with a £20million offer.
The Italy star, 29, has been on Roberto Mancini's wishlist for 18 months and only signed a five-year contract in February.
Sunderland remain hopeful of signing City striker John Guidetti for a loan fee of £1.5m.
Wolves remain keen on Manchester City defender Stefan Savic on loan.
Argentinian Meals of a rich footballer - Part 2 Zabletta
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is ready to return to former club Swansea City to sign Wales defender Ashley Williams as Daniel Agger is being targeted by Manchester City.
Rodgers, who would also like to sign Swansea's GB Olympic star Joe Allen before the end of the transfer window, is bracing himself for Agger's departure.
The Denmark defender has reached the final two years of his contract and has given no encouragement to the club to extend his deal.
He did not play in the club's Europa League tie in Belarus on Thursday night. Manchester City have seen two offers for Agger rejected but a third bid of £20million is likely to tempt owner John W Henry to sell.
Barcelona have also put Agger on a shortlist of defenders wanted at the Nou Camp but their priority is Arsenal's Alex Song.
City suffer early slump
Yes the season is just two weeks away but Manchester City have taken a massive fall in the table standings today. The BBC leaked the early table with Mancini's men slipping 6 places to 7th. One saving grace is that arch rivals Manchester United, with new signings bedding in unlike a stagnet City in the squad strenthening department at the moment, have also slipped 6 places and have been undone by mega bucks City on alphabetical order. Arsenal head the Premiership for at record 21st time at this stage of the EPL, manager Arsene Wenger refused to get carried away saying "there is a long way to go but I am happy with the progress we are making to meet the FFP rules unlike other clubs". Indeed.
Link to first table of the season. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/tables
Tributes to former Manchester City physio Peter Blakey as he dies aged 82
BLUE HERO: Peter Blakey and Tony Book help the injured Ian Bowyer during City’s League Cup Final victory against West Brom in
A former physio who helped keep Manchester City’s greatest players fit during the club’s golden era has passed away.
Peter Blakey has been hailed by Blues legend Mike Summerbee as ‘an unsung hero’ at Maine Road in the 1960s and 70s.
He gave the players the confidence to ‘tackle harder, jump higher and ultimately put their bodies on the line for the team’, the former City star said.
Peter died from heart failure in hospital, aged 82.
His family, paying tribute to him, said they believe Peter helped change the face of how footballers’ injuries were treated on and off the pitch.
Son Paul told the M.u.E.N: “He was one of the forerunners of the modern type of physio.
“In the 50s and 60s, the bloke who ran onto the pitch was an old player with a sponge and just said things like ‘You’ll be alright, run it off.’
“When my father joined City he helped change it to where the physios see the real problems earlier. His job was knowing about the medical side of it, to know whether to keep the player on or take them off to stop the injury getting worse.
“He knew the ones who were just whinging and had nothing wrong with them, and the ones who said they were alright with a broken leg. He got to the problem quicker.”
Peter was an aspiring player for Burnley’s youth team, but his career was cut short at 19, when he suffered a hernia.
The injury forced him onto the sidelines, so he took FA coaching qualifications and gained a remedial gymnasts badge, joining the back room staff at Maine Road in 1965.
He was City’s physio during their most successful period which saw them win the First Division title, two League Cups, FA Cup and European Cup Winners’ Cup.
Mike Summerbee said: “Football is a team game and always will be. It’s not just the 11 guys on the pitch, it’s the team behind the team who are the true unsung heroes.
“It can’t be underestimated how important people like Blakey were during our golden period in the 60s.
“Having him in the dressing room and on the touchline gave players the extra confidence to tackle harder, jump higher and ultimately put their bodies on the line for the team, week in, week out. He was a great friend to the players and will be missed dearly.”
After the stint at City, Peter went on to join the back room staff at Nottingham Forest under Brian Clough.
He later returned to Manchester and briefly became assistant physio with United under Tommy Docherty, before retiring.
Peter’s funeral was held at Burnley Crematorium on Tuesday.
Olympic Fittie of the day
Leryn Franco, 30, Javelin thrower from Paraguay
[spoiler]Being on the podium isn’t new territory for this Olympian, as Franco was also runner-up in a Miss Paraguay beauty pageant. Unsurprisingly, she also adds modelling to her off-track portfolio. The brunette beauty appeared in last year’s Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition, as well as being snapped up by Nike for its “Look of Sport” campaign.
Now then ... Catch her in action at 10am on Tuesday, when she’ll be fighting for her place in the javelin final.
[/spoiler]
Argentinian Meals of a rich footballer - Part 3 Tevez
OTHER BOLLOX
Manchester United are hoping to derail Arsenal's bid to sign Nuri Sahin, 23, from Real Madrid on loan by making an offer to buy him outright. Metro
Meanwhile, the Reds have agreed a £30m deal for Brazil's Lucas Moura, 19, and are looking to press ahead with their move for Robin van Persie. Mail on Sunday
Arsenal are hopeful Van Persie will stay at the club after the Dutchman was impressed by efforts to improve the squad. Daily Star Sunday
Aston Villa's new signing Ron Vlaar has urged Dutch team-mate Van Persie not to join Juventus as it was the Arsenal striker who persuaded him to move to England. Mail on Sunday
Santi Cazorla has met his new Arsenal team-mates after the 27-year-old midfielder passed a medical and finalised a £20m move from Malaga. Sunday Mirror
Tottenham are losing patience with Emmanuel Adebayor and are switching their interest to Brazilian striker Leandro Damiao, 23. Sunday Mirror
Swedish international Rasmus Elm, 24, has revealed that Liverpool were chasing his signature this summer before he moved to CSKA Moscow. insidefutbol.com
West Ham lead the race for 24-year-old Evian ace Yannick Sagbo. The striker has also had approaches from Fulham, Wolfsburg and Marseille. the Sun
Liverpool have made a £12.5m offer for 21-year-old Bologna winger Gaston Ramirez. Evening Standard
Rangers manager Ally McCoist plans to sign three strikers - former Hearts men Kevin Kyle and Craig Beattie, plus out-of-contract St Johnstone forward Francisco Sandaza. Mail on Sunday
Ashley Cole wants to be paid £200,000 a week at Chelsea, with Real Madrid and Paris St Germain monitoring the 31-year-old England defender's situation. Daily Star Sunday
Roberto Di Matteo will crack the whip with his Chelsea players after they lost 3-1 to Brighton in a pre-season friendly. the Sun
Randy Lerner may listen to offers for Aston Villa following the $1bn sale of his American football team, the Cleveland Browns. Sunday Express
Newcastle United risk losing out on Dutch international Vurnon Anita, 23, after Ajax offered the midfielder a bumper new deal. the Sun
Lee Wallace's decision to stay at Rangers will likely cost him his Scotland place, with coach Craig Levein poised to recall Southampton left-back Danny Fox for next week's friendly against Australia. Sunday Mail
Twice-bankrupt Jim Park - a friend of shamed Rangers owner Craig Whyte - has been hired as a consultant by Rangers' new owners to find investors in the new club. The Sun
Kilmarnock manager Kenny Shiels says there must be a second tier of the Scottish Premier League established next season, with Rangers playing in it as the Ibrox club should be competing against "professional people" and not "part-timers such as Albion Rovers and Stranraer". Sunday Mail
Northern Premier League side Kendal United have signed a sponsorship deal with a company which makes fake beards. Metro
Rangers-supporting Queen's Park captain Ricky Little boasted on his Facebook page that he is likely to injure Rangers players like Kirk Broadfoot and Ian Black in Division Three this season but has now removed the comments. Sunday Mail
Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster has likened HJK Helsinki's artificial surface, where the Scottish champions will perform on Wednesday, to playing in a car park. Sunday Mail
Book Review Bollox - Richer Than God: Manchester City, Modern Football and Growing Up, By David Conn
The problem with sky-blue thinking ...
To be in the Etihad Stadium at 4.53pm on Sunday 13 May 2012 was to witness utter transcendental joy. Sergio Aguero had just scored one of the most dramatic goals in the history of English football and, in doing so, yanked the Premier League trophy away from Manchester City's cross-town rivals, United, with seconds to spare.
City's progression from third-division laughing stock to champions has taken more than a decade. But that story is not the core of David Conn's book – even if, with a rushed chapter on May's events, it's quick to capitalise on City's success. Conn, a journalist who grew up in Prestwich, is a City fan, and Richer Than God follows his time on the terraces. But we get more than the fan's perspective: City's unlikely turnaround acts as a prism through which to see a game that's changed beyond recognition.
We follow Conn as he turns from terrace diehard to hardened cynic – a change which stems from his meeting men such as the player-turned-businessman Francis Lee. Conn was among the fans who welcomed Lee as Manchester City's saviour in the mid-Nineties, only to discover that, like others attaching themselves to English teams, Lee was determined to turn this local club into a profitable PLC.
A lawyer-turned-writer, Conn brings an investigator's eye to the murky world of football finance. He's the leading practitioner of a sports journalism that explains to fans the vagaries of leveraged buyouts, and has documented a period that's seen Manchester United's vast profits flipped into huge debts, and too many clubs, from Portsmouth and Leeds to Rangers, fall into a financial quagmire.
Richer than God acknowledges that City's owner, Sheikh Mansour, has been a good influence. But Conn wonders constantly whether having the world's richest team ply its trade in one of the country's poorest areas is a fitting legacy for a club founded by a vicar's daughter to give Manchester's urban poor some exercise. Instead, as a model, Conn looks at FC United, the new club formed as a co-op by United fans after their former club's hostile takeover by Malcolm Glazer.
City fans ought to devour Conn's story of their club, and, for those interested in the current state of English football, it's equally indispensable. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Richer-Than-God ... 0857384864
Manchester City have been linked with a stunning £35 million transfer swoop for Real Madrid star Gonzalo Higuain by Mirror Football.
City executive Brian Marwood is said to be favouring a move to bring the Argentine to the Etihad Stadium as boss Roberto Mancini finds himself embroiled in a battle to secure the services of Robin van Persie.
The Arsenal striker is at the centre of a three-way fright between City, Juventus and Manchester United and Marwood is now said to be championing Higuain, who is believed to be unsettled in the Spanish capital.
The 24-year-old striker was linked with City earlier this year when Mancini spoke of his admiration for the player, although Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has publicly stated he wants Higuain to remain at the Bernabeu.
The Argentine has grown increasingly frustrated at the Spanish champions however, as he finds himself behind French forward Karim Benzema in Mourinho’s starting line up.
City meanwhile, fell to a 2-1 friendly defeat at local rivals Oldham Athletic on Tuesday night, despite having the likes of Joe Hart, Nigel de Jong and Samir Nasri in their side.
Mancini’s side now play two further friendlies and the Community Shield before kicking off their Premier League campaign in less with the visit of Southampton to the Etihad Stadium.
Lazio fury at 'poachers' Man City
Lazio are reportedly furious with Manchester City after the club ‘poached’ a 17-year-old Romanian talent from their youth team.
Left-sided winger Vlad Nicolae Marin was promoted to the Primavera side for the Scudetto play-offs and was expected to step up to the senior squad during this season.
However, the Corriere dello Sport claims Manchester City ‘poached’ the youngster by offering him a contract.
Italian rules do not allow players under the age of 18 to sign professional contracts, so in the past starlets like Giuseppe Rossi and Fabio Borini have been picked up by Premier League sides free of charge.
Lazio are said to be particularly angry because Marin had been called up to travel to their pre-season training camp in Rivisondoli and did not turn up.
He had been in training up until two days ago, but wouldn’t answer his phone and disappeared without trace.
It’s reported Marin’s agents claim they too were left in the dark by this move, as he was poached by other representatives
Great Scott! Manchester City plot shock swoop for Swansea star Scott Sinclair in Dazby 'I told you so' prediction Bollox
Mancini has asked about Arsenal’s Theo Walcott, but Sinclair is seen as a cheaper alternative, for as little as £5m, and City would treble his £20,000-a-week Swansea salary
Manchester City are considering making one of the shock moves of the transfer window by launching a bid to sign Team GB winger Scott Sinclair from Swansea.
Sinclair, 23, is stalling on a new Swansea contract and Premier League champions City have moved ahead of Liverpool, Aston Villa and Fulham in the queue to sign him.
Roberto Mancini wants to inject more pace into his team and would like to sell Sunderland target Adam Johnson.
Mancini has asked about Arsenal’s Theo Walcott, but Sinclair is seen as a cheaper alternative, for as little as £5m, and City would treble his £20,000-a-week Swansea salary.
City are also gearing up for a race with AC Milan to sign Marseille rock Nicolas N’Koulou, 22, according to French newspaper Le Parisien.
City boss Roberto Mancini has reportedly switched his focus on to N’Koulou after having seen two bids rejected for Liverpool defender Daniel Agger.
N’Koulou joined Marseille from Monaco last summer, and put in a busy and impressive first season – to the extent that the Cameroon international was reckoned to be on Barcelona's watch list.
That interest seems to have dried up, leaving City and Milan to slug it out.
Argentinian Meals of a rich footballer - Part 1 Aguero
Man City Ready to Sell Sunderland Target Adam Johnson
Man City boss Roberto Mancini is looking to sell Sunderland target Adam Johnson this summer according to the Daily Mirror and Black Cats boss Martin O’Neill would do well to make his interest known before other prospective suitors appear on the horizon.
The 24 year old winger has consistently failed to force his way into Man City’s starting eleven and could well benefit from a move away from the Etihad Stadium so as to re-ignite a career that is in danger of fizzling out at the Premier League title holders.
Though the former Middlesbrough could opt to remain at Man City collecting his large pay packet it’s likely that a continued lack of first team football will have a very negative impact on his personal development and his international hopes.
Johnson was left out of Roy Hodgson’s Euro 2012 squad after the Man City winger managed just ten Premier League starts, a move to Sunderland could help to resurrect the talented wide-man’s career.
O’Neill could well do with some extra creativity in his attack and the chance to move to his hometown club could entice Adam Johnson into a move to the Stadium of Light this summer.
RODNEY MARSH URGES ROBIN VAN PERSIE TO JOIN MANCHESTER CITY
FORMER Man City star Rodney Marsh says Robin van Persie should sign for his old club – because rivals United are a fading force.
Marsh believes there has been a shift of power in Manchester after Roberto Mancini’s men sealed their first Premier League title last season.
And he reckons Van Persie, 29 tomorrow, would be foolish to choose United instead of City as his next club.
Marsh is excited by the prospect of the Arsenal striker playing alongside Sergio Aguero – and thinks City would dominate the Premier League with the Dutch ace in their ranks.
The ex-England man said: “I think City are on the way to the absolute top of football – while United are on the way down. City will be the team who win the trophies over the next few years.”
“Man City now see signing Van Persie as a badge of honour”
Despite being the early frontrunners to sign Arsenal goal machine Robin van Persie, Manchester City now face stiff competition from both Manchester United and Juventus in the race to secure the Dutchman. But as the Life’s a Pitch team explains, Man City will be determined not to lose out in the race to sign Van Persie to their neighbours, while rumours of interest in Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuaín are most likely City “trying to force Van Persie’s hand”.
“That is probably City doing two things,” says journalist and author Ian Ridley of the Higuaín links. “One, showing their fans that they’ve got an alternative [to Van Persie]. And also trying to force Van Persie and his agent’s hand a bit. I think they see this now as a badge of honour to sign Van Persie, [rather than] lose him to United. It won’t be so bad losing him to Juventus, but [securing Van Persie] would be a great statement for United to make and City wouldn’t like that and I don’t think the City owners would like that.”
Man City’s inability to close the Van Persie deal has left boss Roberto Mancini frustrated, particularly as football administration officer Brian Marwood is responsible for transfers, not him. The People’s Dave Kidd believes Mancini should be in charge of his transfers. He explains: “I think Mancini might have a point to be honest. I think the most successful clubs are still run by strong managers in this country. That is the kind of template that works. I think a manager needs to have control over his own transfer policy.”
One transfer that would make life easier for Mancini would be the sale of Carlos Tévez, says the Guardian’s Dominic Fifield. ”You could certainly argue they need a clean break on that front, they’ve been unofficially trying to offload him for over a year now and he’s still on the books. Some interesting comments from his compatriot Pablo Zabaleta suggested that Carlos has changed and has learned from everything that happened last year and will come back a different person in the new season… and 24 hours later Mancini is quoted saying you can’t change Carlos Tévez.”
Arsenal take the opportunity to cast an eye over a Man City player
Nigel de Jong has fallen out of favour at the Etihad Stadium during the club’s Premier League winning campaign last term and now reports in the media have surfaced about potential interest from Italy with Inter Milan looking to bring the Dutchman to the San Siro. The former European Cup winners will face a serious threat from Arsenal, if reports are to be believed, as the London based club are looking to line up a move in order to bring some bite to their midfield.
De Jong was a staple member of the Man City midfield since his arrival from Hamburg for 18 million pounds in 2009. The player is known as the lawnmower for his ability to break down the play of the opposition while sitting comfortably in his slot, in front of the defence. The Dutchman usually plays alongside a midfielder in the holding role which helps increase his impact on the team’s performance.
For Arsenal, De Jong will be able to provide a concrete cover for a defence that has always flattered to deceive. Arsene Wenger could rely on him to consolidate the back four while allowing the likes of Mikel Arteta and Aaron Ramsey to go forward. While Arsenal may face considerable competition to bring the player to the Emirates Stadium, one believes that Nigel de Jong will be a perfect fit at the club and will be able to bring forth his true potential under Arsene Wenger’s tutelage. Footielatest
MANCHESTER CITY want Edin Dzeko to stay ....
... despite the Bosnian striker’s claims he is unsettled at the club.
Boss Roberto Mancini was the first to declare his £27million signing from Wolfsburg 18 months ago was going nowhere – despite Juventus and AC Milan showing huge interest.
And City coach Attilio Lombardo sees no reason why Dzeko, 26, should leave even if the champions do snap up another striker – although the capture of Arsenal’s Robin van Persie is looking unlikely.
Lombardo said: “Dzeko is a big player and I think Manchester City want big players. It is not surprising because Dzeko, for me, is a player who can play. He can have more time here.”
Dzeko is desperate for more minutes on the pitch than last season when he started only 16 games.
He came off the bench 14 times and finished City’s title winning campaign with 14 goals.
Strikers Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli have all pledged their futures to City and the club hope Dzeko will follow suit.
Dzeko has had his falling-outs with Mancini and was quick to apologise after reacting angrily to being substituted against Bayern Munich last September.
But he showed his closeness to Mancini when he chased the City boss across the Etihad pitch during the title celebrations, soaking him with champagne to leave the City boss in fits of laughter.
Mancini wants Dzeko to stay and said: “We have four strikers and it’s unlikely there will be major changes. The same goes for Dzeko as everyone else. His farewell from this club is not expected.”
Last night City defeated Bundesliga outfit Wolsburg 2-0 in the Volkswagen Arena, with goals from Sergio Aguero and Yaya Toure.
Sportsmail Reporter Bollox
Manchester City are poised to firm up interest in Roma midfielder Daniele de Rossi with a £20million offer.
The Italy star, 29, has been on Roberto Mancini's wishlist for 18 months and only signed a five-year contract in February.
Sunderland remain hopeful of signing City striker John Guidetti for a loan fee of £1.5m.
Wolves remain keen on Manchester City defender Stefan Savic on loan.
Argentinian Meals of a rich footballer - Part 2 Zabletta
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is ready to return to former club Swansea City to sign Wales defender Ashley Williams as Daniel Agger is being targeted by Manchester City.
Rodgers, who would also like to sign Swansea's GB Olympic star Joe Allen before the end of the transfer window, is bracing himself for Agger's departure.
The Denmark defender has reached the final two years of his contract and has given no encouragement to the club to extend his deal.
He did not play in the club's Europa League tie in Belarus on Thursday night. Manchester City have seen two offers for Agger rejected but a third bid of £20million is likely to tempt owner John W Henry to sell.
Barcelona have also put Agger on a shortlist of defenders wanted at the Nou Camp but their priority is Arsenal's Alex Song.
City suffer early slump
Yes the season is just two weeks away but Manchester City have taken a massive fall in the table standings today. The BBC leaked the early table with Mancini's men slipping 6 places to 7th. One saving grace is that arch rivals Manchester United, with new signings bedding in unlike a stagnet City in the squad strenthening department at the moment, have also slipped 6 places and have been undone by mega bucks City on alphabetical order. Arsenal head the Premiership for at record 21st time at this stage of the EPL, manager Arsene Wenger refused to get carried away saying "there is a long way to go but I am happy with the progress we are making to meet the FFP rules unlike other clubs". Indeed.
Link to first table of the season. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/tables
Tributes to former Manchester City physio Peter Blakey as he dies aged 82
BLUE HERO: Peter Blakey and Tony Book help the injured Ian Bowyer during City’s League Cup Final victory against West Brom in
A former physio who helped keep Manchester City’s greatest players fit during the club’s golden era has passed away.
Peter Blakey has been hailed by Blues legend Mike Summerbee as ‘an unsung hero’ at Maine Road in the 1960s and 70s.
He gave the players the confidence to ‘tackle harder, jump higher and ultimately put their bodies on the line for the team’, the former City star said.
Peter died from heart failure in hospital, aged 82.
His family, paying tribute to him, said they believe Peter helped change the face of how footballers’ injuries were treated on and off the pitch.
Son Paul told the M.u.E.N: “He was one of the forerunners of the modern type of physio.
“In the 50s and 60s, the bloke who ran onto the pitch was an old player with a sponge and just said things like ‘You’ll be alright, run it off.’
“When my father joined City he helped change it to where the physios see the real problems earlier. His job was knowing about the medical side of it, to know whether to keep the player on or take them off to stop the injury getting worse.
“He knew the ones who were just whinging and had nothing wrong with them, and the ones who said they were alright with a broken leg. He got to the problem quicker.”
Peter was an aspiring player for Burnley’s youth team, but his career was cut short at 19, when he suffered a hernia.
The injury forced him onto the sidelines, so he took FA coaching qualifications and gained a remedial gymnasts badge, joining the back room staff at Maine Road in 1965.
He was City’s physio during their most successful period which saw them win the First Division title, two League Cups, FA Cup and European Cup Winners’ Cup.
Mike Summerbee said: “Football is a team game and always will be. It’s not just the 11 guys on the pitch, it’s the team behind the team who are the true unsung heroes.
“It can’t be underestimated how important people like Blakey were during our golden period in the 60s.
“Having him in the dressing room and on the touchline gave players the extra confidence to tackle harder, jump higher and ultimately put their bodies on the line for the team, week in, week out. He was a great friend to the players and will be missed dearly.”
After the stint at City, Peter went on to join the back room staff at Nottingham Forest under Brian Clough.
He later returned to Manchester and briefly became assistant physio with United under Tommy Docherty, before retiring.
Peter’s funeral was held at Burnley Crematorium on Tuesday.
Olympic Fittie of the day
Leryn Franco, 30, Javelin thrower from Paraguay
[spoiler]Being on the podium isn’t new territory for this Olympian, as Franco was also runner-up in a Miss Paraguay beauty pageant. Unsurprisingly, she also adds modelling to her off-track portfolio. The brunette beauty appeared in last year’s Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition, as well as being snapped up by Nike for its “Look of Sport” campaign.
Now then ... Catch her in action at 10am on Tuesday, when she’ll be fighting for her place in the javelin final.
[/spoiler]Argentinian Meals of a rich footballer - Part 3 Tevez
OTHER BOLLOX
Manchester United are hoping to derail Arsenal's bid to sign Nuri Sahin, 23, from Real Madrid on loan by making an offer to buy him outright. Metro
Meanwhile, the Reds have agreed a £30m deal for Brazil's Lucas Moura, 19, and are looking to press ahead with their move for Robin van Persie. Mail on Sunday
Arsenal are hopeful Van Persie will stay at the club after the Dutchman was impressed by efforts to improve the squad. Daily Star Sunday
Aston Villa's new signing Ron Vlaar has urged Dutch team-mate Van Persie not to join Juventus as it was the Arsenal striker who persuaded him to move to England. Mail on Sunday
Santi Cazorla has met his new Arsenal team-mates after the 27-year-old midfielder passed a medical and finalised a £20m move from Malaga. Sunday Mirror
Tottenham are losing patience with Emmanuel Adebayor and are switching their interest to Brazilian striker Leandro Damiao, 23. Sunday Mirror
Swedish international Rasmus Elm, 24, has revealed that Liverpool were chasing his signature this summer before he moved to CSKA Moscow. insidefutbol.com
West Ham lead the race for 24-year-old Evian ace Yannick Sagbo. The striker has also had approaches from Fulham, Wolfsburg and Marseille. the Sun
Liverpool have made a £12.5m offer for 21-year-old Bologna winger Gaston Ramirez. Evening Standard
Rangers manager Ally McCoist plans to sign three strikers - former Hearts men Kevin Kyle and Craig Beattie, plus out-of-contract St Johnstone forward Francisco Sandaza. Mail on Sunday
Ashley Cole wants to be paid £200,000 a week at Chelsea, with Real Madrid and Paris St Germain monitoring the 31-year-old England defender's situation. Daily Star Sunday
Roberto Di Matteo will crack the whip with his Chelsea players after they lost 3-1 to Brighton in a pre-season friendly. the Sun
Randy Lerner may listen to offers for Aston Villa following the $1bn sale of his American football team, the Cleveland Browns. Sunday Express
Newcastle United risk losing out on Dutch international Vurnon Anita, 23, after Ajax offered the midfielder a bumper new deal. the Sun
Lee Wallace's decision to stay at Rangers will likely cost him his Scotland place, with coach Craig Levein poised to recall Southampton left-back Danny Fox for next week's friendly against Australia. Sunday Mail
Twice-bankrupt Jim Park - a friend of shamed Rangers owner Craig Whyte - has been hired as a consultant by Rangers' new owners to find investors in the new club. The Sun
Kilmarnock manager Kenny Shiels says there must be a second tier of the Scottish Premier League established next season, with Rangers playing in it as the Ibrox club should be competing against "professional people" and not "part-timers such as Albion Rovers and Stranraer". Sunday Mail
Northern Premier League side Kendal United have signed a sponsorship deal with a company which makes fake beards. Metro
Rangers-supporting Queen's Park captain Ricky Little boasted on his Facebook page that he is likely to injure Rangers players like Kirk Broadfoot and Ian Black in Division Three this season but has now removed the comments. Sunday Mail
Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster has likened HJK Helsinki's artificial surface, where the Scottish champions will perform on Wednesday, to playing in a car park. Sunday Mail
Book Review Bollox - Richer Than God: Manchester City, Modern Football and Growing Up, By David Conn
The problem with sky-blue thinking ...
To be in the Etihad Stadium at 4.53pm on Sunday 13 May 2012 was to witness utter transcendental joy. Sergio Aguero had just scored one of the most dramatic goals in the history of English football and, in doing so, yanked the Premier League trophy away from Manchester City's cross-town rivals, United, with seconds to spare.
City's progression from third-division laughing stock to champions has taken more than a decade. But that story is not the core of David Conn's book – even if, with a rushed chapter on May's events, it's quick to capitalise on City's success. Conn, a journalist who grew up in Prestwich, is a City fan, and Richer Than God follows his time on the terraces. But we get more than the fan's perspective: City's unlikely turnaround acts as a prism through which to see a game that's changed beyond recognition.
We follow Conn as he turns from terrace diehard to hardened cynic – a change which stems from his meeting men such as the player-turned-businessman Francis Lee. Conn was among the fans who welcomed Lee as Manchester City's saviour in the mid-Nineties, only to discover that, like others attaching themselves to English teams, Lee was determined to turn this local club into a profitable PLC.
A lawyer-turned-writer, Conn brings an investigator's eye to the murky world of football finance. He's the leading practitioner of a sports journalism that explains to fans the vagaries of leveraged buyouts, and has documented a period that's seen Manchester United's vast profits flipped into huge debts, and too many clubs, from Portsmouth and Leeds to Rangers, fall into a financial quagmire.
Richer than God acknowledges that City's owner, Sheikh Mansour, has been a good influence. But Conn wonders constantly whether having the world's richest team ply its trade in one of the country's poorest areas is a fitting legacy for a club founded by a vicar's daughter to give Manchester's urban poor some exercise. Instead, as a model, Conn looks at FC United, the new club formed as a co-op by United fans after their former club's hostile takeover by Malcolm Glazer.
City fans ought to devour Conn's story of their club, and, for those interested in the current state of English football, it's equally indispensable. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Richer-Than-God ... 0857384864