MANCHESTER CITY: PLAY ME OR I'LL GO RAPS ANGRY EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR
EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR is ready to slap in a transfer request at Manchester City – unless he is guaranteed regular games by boss Roberto Mancini.
The unsettled Togo star has cut a frustrated figure this season after being forced to play second fiddle to Manchester City skipper Carlos Tevez.
But his patience is beginning to run out as he looks for an escape route from the big-spending outfit.
Starsport understands Adebayor’s agent Stephane Courbis will hold talks with Mancini next week to discuss the striker’s immediate future.
Unless told he is still a big part of the Italian’s plans, the former Arsenal hitman will ask to leave in the January transfer window.
This will alert of host of Europe’s leading clubs, including Juventus, Bayern Munich, AC Milan and Tottenham.
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is a long-time admirer of Adebayor and could make a bid if he becomes available.
Milan tried to sign Adebayor while he was with the Gunners but lost out to City’s £24m offer.
But the Italian giants would be ready to revive their interest in the 26-year-old if City are willing to cut their losses and accept a reduced fee.
Adebayor has publicly voiced his concerns at his lack of first-team football, which has led to a succession of bust-ups with Mancini.
Courbis has refused to discuss Adebayor’s problems at Eastlands but wants urgent talks with Mancini.
Adebayor insists he gets on with Mancini but has admitted he is getting fed up with his lack of action and favours a move elsewhere.
He said: “I’d like to play in Italy for Juventus and I could see it working out well.
“I discussed it with Patrick Vieira, who has great memories of his time in Turin.
“I had already been in talks for a move to Juve during Fabio Capello’s time at the club, but nothing ever came of it. At the time I was very young, but now I am mature.
“Something has to change. I’m not annoyed with Mancini and we have an honest rapport – but we can’t go on like this indefinitely.
“If nothing changes between now and January, I could be on the move.”
TRANSFER BOLLOX
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is considering an £18m move for Lyon midfielder Yoann Gourcuff. Daily Star
Manchester United are poised to make a bid for Danish goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard in January. Seen as a potential successor to Edwin van der Sar, the 26-year-old currently plays for Norwegian side Aalesunds. Daily Mirror
Three Italian clubs are chasing Tottenham's out-of-favour striker Giovani Dos Santos - Genoa, Fiorentina and Roma. talkSPORT
Blackpool forward Luke Varney, who is on loan from Derby, is set to be sold elsewhere by the Rams in January.
Full story: Daily Mirror
Former Bolton Wanderers defender Bernard Mendy is hoping to return to English football. The 29-year-old Frenchman is currently without a club. skysports.com
Brighton manager Gus Poyet is ready to sign Northern Ireland striker David Healy on loan from Sunderland. Daily Mirror
OTHER BOLLOX
Chelsea midfielder Yossi Benayoun will travel to Finland for an operation on his torn Achilles tendon. He will be operated on at the clinic where former England captain David Beckham received treatment.
Full story: Daily Mail
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has received a treble boost ahead of Saturday's match against Birmingham, with captain Cesc Fabregas, forward Nicklas Bendtner and winger Theo Walcott declaring themselves fit. (Daily Express)
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard says claims that Fernando Torres's body language betrays the striker's discontent at Anfield are "completely over the top". Daily Telegraph
Aston Villa's Luke Young insists he and team-mate Emile Heskey were right to retire from England duty. Daily Mirror
Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni says striker Robbie Keane could lose his place in the team because of his lack of first-team action with his club Tottenham.Daily Telegraph
Former Doncaster Rovers manager Dave Penney has emerged as a shock candidate to take over at Hibernian following the departure of John Hughes on 4 October. (Daily Record)
Wigan Athletic fans are unhappy the local council added congratulations to the Warriors Super League rugby club on road signs approaching the town. the Guardian
Jose Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson may have spent much of their time as Premier League rivals sniping at each other but the Real Madrid manager has revealed that he now considers his Manchester United counterpart to be his "best friend" in football. (Daily Telegraph)
Even England's 1966 World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore, who turned tackling into an art form, would fall foul of modern referees, according to former Chelsea defender Ron Harris. the Independent
Bolton striker Johan Elmander has criticised the style of former Trotters manager Gary Megson, saying: "It doesn't help to stare and scream at me. I got tired the more of it I heard." Daily Mail
The mancityfans.net football forum
The BEST FORUM in all the land and all the world
