Wednesday's B*l**x
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 7:48 amScott Sinclair's Manchester City deal may signal Adam Johnson exit
Swansea winger Sinclair has told manager Michael Laudrup that he will refuse a new contract at the Liberty Stadium.
His current deal runs out next summer and Swansea are keen to receive a fee for the 23-year-old, signed from Chelsea for £500,000 in 2010, rather than lose him for nothing in 12 months.
Swansea first-team coach Alan Curtis admitted the move was looking increasingly likely for the Great Britain Olympic forward, who scored in the 5-0 win at QPR on Saturday.
“He’s not really interested in signing a new contract and I think Man City have made a bid,” said Curtis.
“So it’s just a matter of time now before it happens and it’s good for both parties.”
Sinclair’s arrival is likely to signal the end of Adam Johnson’s City career. Roberto Mancini has admitted Johnson is desperate for first-team football, something the Italian has said he cannot promise the 25-year-old England winger.
Liverpool are the latest team to register their interest, joining a long queue which also includes Sunderland, Everton and Tottenham. He is likely to command a fee close to the £8m City paid Middlesbrough in 2010.
Daniele De Rossi, meanwhile, has ruled out a switch to City by pledging his immediate future to Roma. The 29-year-old, who signed a new five-year deal in February, has been linked with a move to the Etihad in the last two transfer windows, but he ruled out a move away from his boyhood club, having been at the Stadio Olimpico since he began his professional career in 2001.
“I’m staying,” said De Rossi. “I never asked to leave. One club, the one you all know, made an enquiry. One or two others, but that was just talk.
“What I can promise everyone is that the day I want to leave Roma – whether it is to win the Champions League or make more money – I will say so in public.”
The news is likely to harden City’s resolve to snatch Athletic Bilbao’s Javi Martinez away from Bayern Munich.
The 23-year-old looked to be on the verge of agreeing a move to the Bundesliga but Bayern remain unwilling to meet his £31.1m buy-out clause.
Last week, Mancini revealed he had held discussions over the Spain international. His bargaining position has been strengthened after City finally got Adebayor’s huge £170,000-a-week wages off the bill.
The Togo striker has sealed a permanent switch to Tottenham, where he spent last season on loan.
“I am pleased to be signing for Spurs on a permanent basis after finally agreeing my departure with Manchester City,” said Adebayor.
“It may have taken longer than expected but I am delighted to be back at Tottenham Hotspur. I really enjoyed my time here last season and I am hoping we can achieve great things together again.”
City to make Guidetti choice
Striker has plenty of options to consider if Blues look to loan him out
The agent of Manchester City starlet John Guidetti claims 15 clubs have expressed an interest in taking the highly-rated striker this summer.
With the route to the first team blocked at the Etihad Stadium, Guidetti has been forced to look elsewhere for games in recent seasons.
A loan spell at Dutch outfit Feyenoord last term saw his reputation rocket, as he netted 20 goals in 23 appearances.
Those exploits have seen the 20-year-old forward become hot property, with sides from across Europe understood to be chasing his signature.
WHAT ARE THEY UP TO NOW BOLLOX
Manchester City footballer Michael Johnson due in court on drink driving charges
Manchester City footballer Michael Johnson is set to appear in court after he was arrested on suspicion of drink driving twice.
The injury-plagued 24-year-old has been charged with two separate offences following two alleged incidents.
In the first, at 11.50pm on February 24, Johnson was stopped in a black Mercedes close to Blackfriars viaduct on Bridgewater Way in Manchester city centre by officers on patrol.
He was breathalysed and arrested on suspicion of drink driving.
While on bail for that offence, Johnson was arrested again after an early-hours smash in Trafford.
Police were called to Grangethorpe Road, in Urmston, at 3.40am on May 31 after a Mercedes CLS 350 hit a parked BMW X5. He was arrested on suspicion of drink driving and taken to Trafford General Hospital.
Johnson was bailed pending the results of a blood test and subsequently charged.
He is due before Manchester Magistrates Court on September 25 where it is thought both cases may be joined.
Johnson, who has long been touted as one of City’s brightest academy graduates, has been charged with driving a motor vehicle while his alcohol level was above the legal limit and driving while unfit through drink in connection with the first incident and driving while his alcohol was above the legal limit with the second.
He made his first-team debut in 2006 before going on to represent England under-19s.
Many Blues, including then manager Sven Goran Eriksson, believed he would go on to represent England and in 2009 he signed a five-year contract with the club.
But he has been plagued by injuries with a ruptured cruciate ligament in training prompting a long spell on the sidelines.
Johnson, who is from Urmston, battled back to full fitness in time for the 2010-11 season.
He began last season on loan at Leicester but made just seven appearances for the east Midlands outfit before coming back to City for the latter part of the campaign.
Johnson's last appearance for City came in a 5-1 Carling Cup win over Scunthorpe in 2009.
SNUB COUNT BOLLOX: 439
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]
C*NTS CORNER - Part 2
OTHER BOLLOX
[strike]Tottenham are close to securing the £20m signing of 24-year-old Shakhtar Donetsk forward Willian and have reignited their interest in Internacional striker Leandro Damia, 23. Daily Made up bollox[/strike]
Tottenham plan to move for 22-year-old Roma midfielder Miralem Pjanic before the transfer window closes. Evening Standard
Yann M'Vila is the subject of bids from Tottenham, Zenit St Petersburg and an unnamed club
Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo will make a £35m move for Napoli's Uruguay international striker Edinson Cavani, 25. the Sun
The Blues are set to continue their summer spending by clinching the £23.5m signing of 21-year-old Bayer Leverkusen striker Andre Schurrle. Daily Star
Arsenal will use the millions gained by selling Alex Song to Barcelona to attempt to sign defensive midfielder Cheick Tiote, 26, from Newcastle United. caughtoffside.com
French side Rennes expect midfielder Yann M'Vila, 21, to leave the club this week. The Ligue 1 side say they have received offers from Tottenham, Zenit St Petersburg and a third unnamed side, believed to be Arsenal. Metro
Marseille right-back Cesar Azpilicueta, 22, says he is being monitored by Chelsea as a possible replacement for the departed Jose Bosingwa. talkShit
[strike]Manchester United are considering a £10m move for 22-year-old Mexico midfielder Hector Herrera from Pachuca. Daily Made up bollox[/strike]
Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill is hoping to sign Steven Fletcher in time for the Wolves striker to play some part in Saturday's visit of Reading.Daily Express
Robert Green's career as QPR's number one goalkeeper could be under threat after just one game, as Hoops manager Mark Hughes seems keen on bringing in 32-year-old former Celtic keeper and current free agent Artur Boruc. Daily Mirror
Liverpool are prepared for 23-year-old Andy Carroll to spend the season sitting on their bench, rather than sell him for a cut-price fee to a Premier League rival. Daily Express
However, potential Carroll suitors Newcastle say they will not budge from their £12m offer made for a player sold by the Magpies to the Reds for £35m in January 2011.Daily Telegraph
Newcastle and Fulham are looking at FC Twente defender Douglas. The Brazil-born 24-year-old plays under former England boss Steve McLaren in the Dutch Eredivisie. Daily Star
Former Norwich and Leicester striker Darren Eadie thinks more footballers should sign up for treatment to tackle depression, something he suffered from after retiring from the sport through injury at 28.
The ex-Norwich and Leicester striker Darren Eadie says more players should seek treatment for depression Daily Telegraph
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta, 30, says Gunners fans need to give the much-changed team time to gel. the Sun
Reading boss Brian McDermott may have a better understanding of Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard than many other managers - he saw the star five years ago when scouting for the Royals in France and said: "I thought [even then] he was phenomenal." Guardian
Manchester United's 24-year-old Brazilian midfielder Anderson suffered the ignominy of having his name misspelled as 'Andesron' on his own shirt during the Red Devils' 1-0 defeat to Everton at Goodison Park on Monday. Metro
More B*ll*x later ....
Swansea winger Sinclair has told manager Michael Laudrup that he will refuse a new contract at the Liberty Stadium.
His current deal runs out next summer and Swansea are keen to receive a fee for the 23-year-old, signed from Chelsea for £500,000 in 2010, rather than lose him for nothing in 12 months.
Swansea first-team coach Alan Curtis admitted the move was looking increasingly likely for the Great Britain Olympic forward, who scored in the 5-0 win at QPR on Saturday.
“He’s not really interested in signing a new contract and I think Man City have made a bid,” said Curtis.
“So it’s just a matter of time now before it happens and it’s good for both parties.”
Sinclair’s arrival is likely to signal the end of Adam Johnson’s City career. Roberto Mancini has admitted Johnson is desperate for first-team football, something the Italian has said he cannot promise the 25-year-old England winger.
Liverpool are the latest team to register their interest, joining a long queue which also includes Sunderland, Everton and Tottenham. He is likely to command a fee close to the £8m City paid Middlesbrough in 2010.
Daniele De Rossi, meanwhile, has ruled out a switch to City by pledging his immediate future to Roma. The 29-year-old, who signed a new five-year deal in February, has been linked with a move to the Etihad in the last two transfer windows, but he ruled out a move away from his boyhood club, having been at the Stadio Olimpico since he began his professional career in 2001.
“I’m staying,” said De Rossi. “I never asked to leave. One club, the one you all know, made an enquiry. One or two others, but that was just talk.
“What I can promise everyone is that the day I want to leave Roma – whether it is to win the Champions League or make more money – I will say so in public.”
The news is likely to harden City’s resolve to snatch Athletic Bilbao’s Javi Martinez away from Bayern Munich.
The 23-year-old looked to be on the verge of agreeing a move to the Bundesliga but Bayern remain unwilling to meet his £31.1m buy-out clause.
Last week, Mancini revealed he had held discussions over the Spain international. His bargaining position has been strengthened after City finally got Adebayor’s huge £170,000-a-week wages off the bill.
The Togo striker has sealed a permanent switch to Tottenham, where he spent last season on loan.
“I am pleased to be signing for Spurs on a permanent basis after finally agreeing my departure with Manchester City,” said Adebayor.
“It may have taken longer than expected but I am delighted to be back at Tottenham Hotspur. I really enjoyed my time here last season and I am hoping we can achieve great things together again.”
City to make Guidetti choice
Striker has plenty of options to consider if Blues look to loan him out
The agent of Manchester City starlet John Guidetti claims 15 clubs have expressed an interest in taking the highly-rated striker this summer.
With the route to the first team blocked at the Etihad Stadium, Guidetti has been forced to look elsewhere for games in recent seasons.
A loan spell at Dutch outfit Feyenoord last term saw his reputation rocket, as he netted 20 goals in 23 appearances.
Those exploits have seen the 20-year-old forward become hot property, with sides from across Europe understood to be chasing his signature.
WHAT ARE THEY UP TO NOW BOLLOX
Manchester City footballer Michael Johnson due in court on drink driving charges
Manchester City footballer Michael Johnson is set to appear in court after he was arrested on suspicion of drink driving twice.
The injury-plagued 24-year-old has been charged with two separate offences following two alleged incidents.
In the first, at 11.50pm on February 24, Johnson was stopped in a black Mercedes close to Blackfriars viaduct on Bridgewater Way in Manchester city centre by officers on patrol.
He was breathalysed and arrested on suspicion of drink driving.
While on bail for that offence, Johnson was arrested again after an early-hours smash in Trafford.
Police were called to Grangethorpe Road, in Urmston, at 3.40am on May 31 after a Mercedes CLS 350 hit a parked BMW X5. He was arrested on suspicion of drink driving and taken to Trafford General Hospital.
Johnson was bailed pending the results of a blood test and subsequently charged.
He is due before Manchester Magistrates Court on September 25 where it is thought both cases may be joined.
Johnson, who has long been touted as one of City’s brightest academy graduates, has been charged with driving a motor vehicle while his alcohol level was above the legal limit and driving while unfit through drink in connection with the first incident and driving while his alcohol was above the legal limit with the second.
He made his first-team debut in 2006 before going on to represent England under-19s.
Many Blues, including then manager Sven Goran Eriksson, believed he would go on to represent England and in 2009 he signed a five-year contract with the club.
But he has been plagued by injuries with a ruptured cruciate ligament in training prompting a long spell on the sidelines.
Johnson, who is from Urmston, battled back to full fitness in time for the 2010-11 season.
He began last season on loan at Leicester but made just seven appearances for the east Midlands outfit before coming back to City for the latter part of the campaign.
Johnson's last appearance for City came in a 5-1 Carling Cup win over Scunthorpe in 2009.
SNUB COUNT BOLLOX: 439
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]C*NTS CORNER - Part 2
OTHER BOLLOX
[strike]Tottenham are close to securing the £20m signing of 24-year-old Shakhtar Donetsk forward Willian and have reignited their interest in Internacional striker Leandro Damia, 23. Daily Made up bollox[/strike]
Tottenham plan to move for 22-year-old Roma midfielder Miralem Pjanic before the transfer window closes. Evening Standard
Yann M'Vila is the subject of bids from Tottenham, Zenit St Petersburg and an unnamed club
Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo will make a £35m move for Napoli's Uruguay international striker Edinson Cavani, 25. the Sun
The Blues are set to continue their summer spending by clinching the £23.5m signing of 21-year-old Bayer Leverkusen striker Andre Schurrle. Daily Star
Arsenal will use the millions gained by selling Alex Song to Barcelona to attempt to sign defensive midfielder Cheick Tiote, 26, from Newcastle United. caughtoffside.com
French side Rennes expect midfielder Yann M'Vila, 21, to leave the club this week. The Ligue 1 side say they have received offers from Tottenham, Zenit St Petersburg and a third unnamed side, believed to be Arsenal. Metro
Marseille right-back Cesar Azpilicueta, 22, says he is being monitored by Chelsea as a possible replacement for the departed Jose Bosingwa. talkShit
[strike]Manchester United are considering a £10m move for 22-year-old Mexico midfielder Hector Herrera from Pachuca. Daily Made up bollox[/strike]
Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill is hoping to sign Steven Fletcher in time for the Wolves striker to play some part in Saturday's visit of Reading.Daily Express
Robert Green's career as QPR's number one goalkeeper could be under threat after just one game, as Hoops manager Mark Hughes seems keen on bringing in 32-year-old former Celtic keeper and current free agent Artur Boruc. Daily Mirror
Liverpool are prepared for 23-year-old Andy Carroll to spend the season sitting on their bench, rather than sell him for a cut-price fee to a Premier League rival. Daily Express
However, potential Carroll suitors Newcastle say they will not budge from their £12m offer made for a player sold by the Magpies to the Reds for £35m in January 2011.Daily Telegraph
Newcastle and Fulham are looking at FC Twente defender Douglas. The Brazil-born 24-year-old plays under former England boss Steve McLaren in the Dutch Eredivisie. Daily Star
Former Norwich and Leicester striker Darren Eadie thinks more footballers should sign up for treatment to tackle depression, something he suffered from after retiring from the sport through injury at 28.
The ex-Norwich and Leicester striker Darren Eadie says more players should seek treatment for depression Daily Telegraph
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta, 30, says Gunners fans need to give the much-changed team time to gel. the Sun
Reading boss Brian McDermott may have a better understanding of Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard than many other managers - he saw the star five years ago when scouting for the Royals in France and said: "I thought [even then] he was phenomenal." Guardian
Manchester United's 24-year-old Brazilian midfielder Anderson suffered the ignominy of having his name misspelled as 'Andesron' on his own shirt during the Red Devils' 1-0 defeat to Everton at Goodison Park on Monday. Metro
More B*ll*x later ....