Sunday's B*l**x (updated)
Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2013 12:32 am
REAL MADRID WANT MANCHESTER CITY'S SERGIO AGUERO
REAL MADRID will move for Manchester City’s £50millionrated striker Sergio Aguero if his marriage break-up leaves him feeling isolated in England.
Aguero admits he is finding it hard to come to terms with the collapse of his four-year marriage to Diego Maradona’s youngest daughter Giannina.
He admitted it was “impossible” to be apart from three-year-old son Ben who he dotes on. Mother and son have returned to Argentina.
Real Madrid, who were anxious to sign Aguero 18 months ago only for Atletico to refuse to contemplate a sale to their city rivals, remain big admirers of the striker.
City hope their main hit man can come to terms with his domestic situation, but Real Madrid would offer City a healthy profit on their investment in the summer.
Edin to Manchester? City line up £45m Cavani as patience wears with Balotelli
'I know I would be a success in the Premier League – and it is an exciting prospect' says Napoli striker
Manchester City have taken their first step towards ditching Mario Balotelli – by making a £45million bid for Napoli striker Edinson Cavani, writes the Sunday People.
The bid was made by City’s sporting director Txiki Begiristain at Christmas – BEFORE Balotelli’s training-ground fight with manager Roberto Mancini.
Despite support from City’s wealthy owners for the madcap striker, patience has now worn thin among Balotelli’s Etihad team-mates.
Former allies like skipper Vincent Kompany and Gareth Barry have become exasperated by his behavior.
And it’s clear from Begiristain’s first moves for Uruguayan goal-machine Cavani that Balotelli’s days are numbered even if Mancini is prepared to give him another chance.
Napoli chief Aurelio De Laurentiis has confirmed a bid has been made, saying: “Cavani is a warrior who embodies all that’s best of the Napoli spirit and our supporters. It is because of this that I turned down an offer of 55 million euros.”
But Cavani himself would love a crack at the Premier League – and is convinced he would be as big a hit as his compatriot Luis Suarez.
“I know that there has been interest from Premier League teams,” he said. “I know I would be a success in the Premier League – and it is an exciting prospect.”
But City will need to shift a striker out before Cavani comes in – possibly in the summer – and that will almost certainly be Balotelli.
AC Milan have shown interest in the Italian bad boy but City may struggle to get the £25m they want for him given his unpredictable temperament. And Milan will not act until the summer
Chelsea, Man City and Man Utd linked with Madrid ace
Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United are on alert as Luka Modric is considering his future at Real Madrid, according to the Daily Mirror.
The newspaper claims the midfielder could be set for a summer move back to the Premier League after he struggled to adapt to life in La Liga.
The 27-year-old only moved to Los Blancos last summer from Tottenham Hotspur in a deal worth £33million, but he was this week voted La Liga’s worst signing of 2012.
The Croatian was a huge hit at White Hart Lane, but has failed to reach the same heights for Jose Mourinho’s Spanish champions.
The newspaper goes on to claim that Modric has admitted his switch to Real has been “challenging” and he has struggled to adapt to life in the country.
The Mirror states Chelsea could be the favourites for his signature if he leaves Spain, as they tried to sign him in 2011 and again last summer.
Sources in Croatia told the newspaper Modric would be open to a swift return to the Premier League, with both Manchester clubs also interested in signing him.
Frank Lampard’s expected summer departure from Chelsea could led to them returning for Modric, it is claimed, while Red Devils boss Alex Ferguson could launch a bid as he is a long-standing admirer of the player and City manager Roberto Mancini is also a fan, the Mirror claims.
However, it is also stressed that Modric does not plan to give up on his career in Madrid this month, and is likely to persevere with life in Spain until at least the summer.
The playmaker has started just eight league games so far for Los Blancos, and will hope for a much better second half of the season.
Meanwhile, the Mirror also states Modric’s former club, Spurs, are negotiating with the Spanish champions over Gareth Bale.
The £60million-rated winger is reportedly wanted by Mourinho’s side, although it is unclear whether Spurs could seek a White Hart Lane return for Modric as part of any potential deal
GOLDEN BOLLOX 6-1-2012
Tevez poses with AC Milan boss ahead of finally sealing Man City exit
Carlos Tevez posed for photographs with AC Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani after taking a step closer to sealing his exit from Manchester City.
The Italian champions will submit a new bid for the striker after talks with the player's advisor Kia Joorabchian in Rio de Janeiro.
Galliani also spoke to City's acting chief executive John MacBeath, according to Milan newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, and hopes to agree a deal before Tuesday.
Inter Milan technical director Marco Branca simultaneously held talks with his opposite number at City, Brian Marwood, in London on Thursday.
However, Joorabchian said Tevez was currently only talking to Milan, denting hopes that City will be able to spark a bidding war.
Details of the new offer are being kept under wraps, but it is believed Milan are still seeking an initial loan.
City have made it clear they want to sell Tevez, but the major change is that Milan seem willing to accept conditions that would force them to buy the 27-year-old at the end of the season.
According to Mediaset, the outlet controlled by Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi, this is likely to mean Milan would be forced to pay City £20million at the end of the season if Tevez plays in half of the games he is eligible for during the loan term.
Tevez flew to Rio from Buenos Aires to meet the San Siro powerbroker at his home in Ipanema. After the serious business of negotiations, the pair, along with Joorabchian, were later all smiles at the fashionable Gero restaurant nearby.
Joorabchian told Italian media: 'We have great confidence in the successful outcome of negotiations between the two clubs.
'We had talks with Inter for months. We met in Sardinia. But in August there were more contacts. Now we are talking only with AC Milan and Manchester City also know this.'
Inter are thought to be offering a similar deal and have been in contact with their former manager Roberto Mancini.
Branca has denied that Wesley Sneijder - the Holland midfielder admired by Manchester United - was offered to City as part of the deal.
Meanwhile, reports in Argentina say Tevez has already picked his new home: a luxury four-bedroom apartment close to the fashionable Piazza San Babila at a cost of £4,600 a month.
MANCHESTER TITLE RACE
PTS +7 GD +4
He's no Ronaldinho... yet - Manchester City play down Marcos Lopes expectations
Manchester City first team coach David Platt was quick to play down comparisons between young Blues debutant Marcos Lopes and former Barcelona star Ronaldinho after the youngster scored in the FA Cup win over Watford.
17-year-old Lopes came off the bench to score late on in the 3-0 win after earlier goals from Carlos Tevez and Gareth Barry.
Lopes is reputedly nicknamed 'Rony' after the Brazilian maestro - but Platt brushed off any comparisons.
Platt said: "I hope not. His nickname is Marcos and he has played five minutes in an FA Cup tie and scored a goal. He should be proud of that and equally he should be ready to train tomorrow and he will be, with the under-21 team to play in their game on Monday.
"He's a good lad, he's got a very good temperament as well and he won't let that go to his head.
"He's got a big smile on his face at the moment. He came away with us in pre-season, did very, very well and has great lines as a footballer with great technical ability.
"He wants to hurt the opposition, wants to get in the box, and has been scoring goals like that for the under-21 team. He's got a good future ahead of him, certainly."
Platt added that the second goal just before the break had been the key to the match, with Costel Pantilimon saving well from Fernando Forestieri with the score at 1-0.
He said: "The second goal really knocked the stuffing out of them and we controlled the second half in the way we wanted.
"If we had conceded that one-on-one chance you never know what might have happened."
Meanwhile, Gianfranco Zola insists Mario Balotelli can be a "fantastic" player - if his talent can be successfully mastered.
Zola worked with the 22-year-old when in charge of Italy's under-21 team and admits he has an affection for the striker who has had a tempestuous time at Manchester City - culminating in this week's training ground bust-up with manager Roberto Mancini.
Balotelli came off the bench and caused Zola's Watford side plenty of problems.
Afterwards Zola said: "I have an affection for him. I have worked with him for the under-21s and I do care about him and I do hope his potential is fulfilled.
"Even when he came on today you can see the potential in the man, and it's how to master that potential.
"I do hope he gets to that position as he will be a fantastic player. I am talking about what he can do to improve his situation but it's not down to me to say how.
"It's just that this is a young man with a lot of potential who can shine."
"He was a nice lad": Manchester City yob who lunged at Rio Ferdinand was Sir Bobby Charlton's gardener
Matthew Stott ran on to the pitch when Robin van Persie scored a late winner for Manchester United in last month's derby
The football hooligan banned from matches for three years for squaring up to Rio Ferdinand worked as a gardener... for Manchester United legend Sir Bobby Charlton.
He confirmed yesterday he had employed Manchester City fan Matthew Stott, 21 – and even praised his attitude.
Sir Bobby, 75, said: “He was a very nice lad. I don’t know what happened at the match.”
Stott, of Knutsford, Cheshire, drank eight pints before running on to the pitch at the Etihad Stadium when Robin van Persie scored a late winner for the Reds in a derby last month.
He said his “world fell apart” with the goal and believed the Dutchman was taunting him.
Stott was fined £145 for running onto the pitch and threatening behaviour.
Joleon Lescott Pledges Immediate Future To Manchester City
Defender to stay at the Etihad Stadium in January transfer window.
Joleon Lescott has ruled out leaving Manchester City during the January transfer window and pledged his immediate future to the club despite finding first-team opportunities limited this season.
Lescott had formed a partnership with captain Vincent Kompany during Manchester City title-winning season last year, but the England international centre-back has been forced to watch from the bench for a significant portion of the opening half of this season. Youngster Matija Nastasic, signed during the summer, has been preferred as Kompany’s defensive partner and Kolo Toure has been the back-up option.
As a result, Lescott has been the subject of interest from Everton, Sunderland, QPR and home town club Aston Villa with the quartet mulling over loan moves or a permanent capture during the transfer window.
But, after Lescott completed 90 minutes for Manchester City in a 3-0 FA Cup win over Watford on Saturday, his representatives issued a statement clarifying his future and insisted he will staying put for the remainder of the season at least.
“Joleon Lescott has ruled out the possibility of any loan move during the January transfer window,” the statement said. “Despite speculation linking him with several Premier League clubs, Joleon has no desire to leave Manchester City.”
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini had said he did not want Lescott to depart with Toure and brother Yaya both due to be absent for more than a month while representing the Ivory Coast at the African Nations Cup.
TWITCHY TRANSFER TARGETS - PART 7315
After seeing his side draw 1-1 at home against West Brom in the FA Cup Third Round, QPR boss Harry Redknapp spoke to ITV Sport.
Asked about his plans in the January transfer window, Redknapp confirmed that he is interested in signing Joleon Lescott from Manchester City. "We're trying to do something there… it's a difficult one."
SNUB COUNT 9
GOLDEN SNUB BOLLOX FROM 6-1-2010
Juan Sebastian Veron has revealed that he has snubbed an offer from Roberto Mancini to join Manchester City.
The 34-year-old former Chelsea and Manchester United midfielder is enjoying a renaissance at Estudiantes and was crowned South American Player of the Year last year.A number of European clubs have looked to entice him back, and Veron has revealed that Mancini made him an offer. However, the Argentine star has snubbed the chance to link up with Mancini - who he played with at Sampdoria and Lazio - in order to remain with Estudiantes."It's not a fact of money. First of all is the family, and second, I have made a decision and I want to respect it, that is what I feel and Estudiantes is the place where I feel comfortable," said Veron. "If I would have accepted this offer I wouldn't have been true with my convictions, with myself and with the people." Veron's agent Miguel Pires went into detail about City's offer."Veron said to me that he received a phone call from Mancini and that he had offered him £7million and the same to Estudiantes for a one-year contract," he revealed. "In addition, that amount would have been duplicated if he would have continued at Manchester City during 2011."
Blonde ambition: Man City prepare £7m bid for Derby wonderkid Will Hughes
The in demand 17-year-old is also wanted by the likes of Arsenal, Spurs and Fulham with the Rams holding out for £10m
Manchester City are making a late and strong bid to sign Derby County wonder boy Will Hughes – and throw him into the title race, writes the Sunday People.
City chief Roberto Mancini wants to add to his squad and his No.2 David Platt has launched a raid on the Rams for their 17-year-old midfield sensation.
Hughes is already wanted by Arsenal, Tottenham and Fulham who are all sniffing around as Derby wait for a potential £10million bid.
But megabucks City have come in and asked Derby to name their price for Hughes and are keen to land him now.
City are watching the cash with Mancini under orders to balance the books, but they would pay around £7million with add-ons.
That would be good news for Derby’s bank balance, but the bad news is City see Hughes as a capture to play now rather than return him to Pride Park.
Derby’s perfect scenario was to get a deal whereby Hughes would be loaned back to them for the rest of the season.
But City’s needs – and Mancini’s future – will be decided in the next four months and that is why his mission has gone into overdrive.
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GOLDEN BOLLOX 6-1-2011
Dopey Adebayor at centre of international smuggling plot
Striker Emmanuel Adebayor was framed by devious drug dealers looking to smuggle almost £3,000 of cannabis into the UK.
A wooden framed picture bearing the image of the Togo international footballer was seized by border officials as it passed through the international postal hub in Coventry from the African nation.
Suspicions had been raised because the painting of the former Arsenal star was addressed to a home in Tottenham, the team's north London arch rival - and found a massive haul of pot inside.
Details of the wacky baccy trafficking scam and several others were revealed by UK Border Agency today to highlight the cunning ploys used by drug traffickers.
Brodie Clark, head of Border Force, said: "These smuggling attempts show the lengths that organised criminals will go to in a bid to get drugs into the UK."
Emmanuel Adebayor's Spurs future is in serious doubt and it is understood the club would consider offers for the 28-year-old Togo striker. Daily Star Sunday
Stoke manager Tony Pulis has rejected reports that Michael Owen is to leave the club and head to Australia. Perth Glory claimed on Saturday they had been approached by the 33-year-old former England striker's agent about a move. Sun
Manchester United are tracking Borussia Dortmund midfielder Sven Bender. The 23-year-old helped his side win last season's Bundesliga but has struggled with injuries this term. The Times
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is preparing an £8m bid for Wigan midfielder James McCarthy, 22. Daily Mirror
Tottenham will open negotiations this week for the £10million signing of Crystal Palace winger Wilfred Zaha, 20. SSSC
Frank Lampard, 34, is set to extend his stay at Chelsea after all with club owner Roman Abramovich ready to perform a U-turn and reopen contract talks with the midfielder. The People
QPR boss Harry Redknapp is in talks with six players including midfielder Tim Cahill and strikers Robbie Keane and Nicolas Anelka, as he attempts to save the club from relegation. Metro
Liverpool are refusing to budge on their valuation of their former winger Tom Ince. The Reds have offered £4m but Blackpool want £6m for the 20-year-old. SSSC
Swansea defender Garry Monk, 33, will hold talks with manager Michael Laudrup before deciding if his future lies away from the Liberty Stadium. South Wales Evening Post
Aston Villa face a £17m bill if they are relegated from the Premier League as six of their big earners do not have relegation clauses in their contracts. Daily Mirror
Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has paid tribute to his own amazing form in 2012 by having all his record-breaking stats stitched onto his boots. Metro
GOLDEN BOLLOX 6-1-2010
Man City announce biggest loss in English history
Big-spending Manchester City have reported mammoth annual losses of £92.6 million - a figure which represents the biggest annual loss in English football history.
Khaldoon Al Mubarak: Still ready to buy.In fact, the figures run to May 31, 2009, and do not take into account last summer's transfer dealings in which over £100 million was invested by owner Sheikh Mansour. However, it does include the previous year, when City smashed the British transfer record to bring Brazilian superstar Robinho to the club for £32.5 million.
Another Brazilian, Jo, also arrived (although he has since joined Everton on loan), while Shay Given and Craig Bellamy were among a clutch of top-name players who joined 12 months ago.
City's chief financial and administration officer Graham Wallace said: ''The financial results reflect a period of rapid change at the club, the result of long-term planning and investment by the Board and our owners, to create a sustainable business in the future. We have always said that this transformation will take a number of years and these figures reflect that.''
On a normal business level, there have been areas of growth. Turnover increased by six per cent to £87 million, attendances rose to 42,890 from an average of 42,081 in the previous season, with ticketing revenues ahead by £1.8 million, mainly as a result of the extended UEFA Cup run. Television revenues also rose by 12% to £48.3 million, also as a result of UEFA Cup performance.
However, the figures represent a massive change at the club. While City's playing squad is the obvious example of money being poured in from Abu Dhabi, there have been other, less noticeable costs.Mark Hughes' demands to substantially improve the Carrington training ground were met. There were additional infrastructure costs, website and technology applications and staffing levels also went up.For Sheikh Mansour and chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, these were essential in the growth of what was a middle-ranking Premier League outfit to one, by their own admission, which is expected to secure a top four spot this season and win the title - for the first time since 1969