Monday's B*ll*x

[Chinners]

Man City enter auction for Bolton's Cahill
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is in the race for Bolton’s England new boy Gary Cahill – and will be major player in the £20million auction.
Mancini, assistant David Platt and a top scout watched classy centre half Cahill against West Ham on Saturday as they close in – aware Wanderers look set to sell in the summer.
He chose to watch Cahill rather than study FA Cup semi-final rivals Manchester United – and City have told Bolton they are ­interested.
Mancini has got a vacancy at the back in his long-term thinking.
Kolo Toure’s ­potential drugs ban is a problem while Joleon Lescott’s form has been hit and miss.
City have the money to outbid their rivals and could tempt Owen Coyle with a swap deal, including Shaun Wright-Phillips and Dedryk Boyata.
Cahill was also watched by Arsenal and Aston Villa, while Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham are observing.

Milner spat with Rooney agent over birthday party behaviour
Manchester City midfielder James Milner had a row with United striker Wayne Rooney's agent Paul Stretford to add spice to Saturday's FA Cup semi-final between the Manchester rivals.
The pair exchanged angry words after Milner warned Stretford about his behaviour at team-mate Gareth Barry's 30th birthday.
Their spat followed a verbal disagreement between Stretford's wife Gemma and Milner's girlfriend at the party in Cheshire, attended by several members of the City squad.
Stretford accused Milner's partner of upsetting Gemma, which prompted the City player to intervene and confront the agent about his behaviour.
Rooney's agent then called Milner the following day to resolve their differences.
It is believed Stretford was invited to the party by Barry because their children attend the same nursery.
Milner and Stretford were both unavailable for comment.

Manchester City are lining up a sensational £40m bid for Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere - and the Eastlands club will tempt the 19-year-old with an offer to double his wages to £100,000 a week. (News of the World)

City are also keeping an eye on Udinese's Chilean winger Alexis Sanchez. (News of the World)

OTHER BOLLOX
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is considering selling striker Fernando Torres in the summer following the Spain star's so-far unsuccessful £50m switch from Liverpool. Mail on Sunday

Tottenham may sell Gareth Bale after conceding they would have to listen to offers of above £30m for the Welsh winger. The news will alert the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool as well as Real Madrid and Inter Milan. Sunday Express

Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner is wanted by German side Hamburg, who may be able to prise him from north London for £8m. Mail on Sunday

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel has told a Danish newspaper that Wayne Rooney would be better off at a club such as Real Madrid. Sunday Mirror

Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio has dismissed reports he may be leaving the club for Manchester United. Goal.com

Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton is on the verge of quitting the club after talks over a new deal broke down. (NOTW)

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is looking to get Zinedine Zidane's teenage son Enzo, currently at Real Madrid, on the books at Old Trafford. Sunday Mirror

Liverpool are considering offering Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Freidel a chance to return to Anfield amid rumours that Pepe Reina may be seeking a move away from Merseyside in the summer. Sunday Mirror

A dream move to the Premier League for Darlington's teenage centre-back Dan Burn has edged closer after the highly-rated defender underwent a medical at Fulham. Northern Echo

Chelsea have invited Uruguay's Juan Cruz Mascia to London for talks. The tall teenager is top scorer in the South American under-17 championships and is available from his club, Miramar, for around £1m. Daily Mirror

Inter Milan boss Leonardo is hoping to lure Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri to the San Siro, and will try to tempt Gunners boss Arsene Wenger with a bid of £31m. caughtoffside.com

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson continues to pursue Tottenham winger Gareth Bale and is willing to offer a player-plus-cash deal. caughtoffside.com

Yossi Benayoun has backed Chelsea to salvage their season at Old Trafford on Tuesday, predicting: "If we win there we will win the Champions League." Daily Mirror

John O'Shea cannot believe Manchester United team-mate Nani has not been nominated for the PFA player of the year award.
Press Association

Ajax boss Martin Jol may make a return to Fulham if Mark Hughes - currently on a one-year deal - leaves the club in the summer. Mail on Sunday

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has admitted he tried to sign Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand at the start of the season. The Observer

Blackpool boss Ian Holloway has revealed that relegation for the Tangerines would mean a 50% wage cut for him and his players.Mail on Sunday

Talks over the long-term future of Kenny Dalglish at Liverpool started weeks ago, says the president of the club's owners, Fenway Sports Group. Daily Telegraph

Tottenham's Croatian defender Vedran Corluka apparently had to be restrained by assistant manager Kevin Bond after going over to have a few words with a "moaning" fan following Spurs' 3-2 victory against Stoke on Saturday. Mail on Sunday

Aston Villa's Ashley Young has rubbished Joey Barton's claims that the Newcastle player is the best midfielder in England.Sunday People

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says he wants to carry on working for another 20 years - which would take him into his 80s. (Sunday Express)

Michael Jackson may be immortalised with a statue outside the ground, but the King of Pop's visit to Craven Cottage was a bit of a farce according to one unnamed player who was there on that memorable day. Sunday Mirror

[Beefymcfc]

Man City enter auction for Bolton's Cahill
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is in the race for Bolton’s England new boy Gary Cahill – and will be major player in the £20million auction.
Mancini, assistant David Platt and a top scout watched classy centre half Cahill against West Ham on Saturday as they close in – aware Wanderers look set to sell in the summer.
He chose to watch Cahill rather than study FA Cup semi-final rivals Manchester United – and City have told Bolton they are ­interested.
Mancini has got a vacancy at the back in his long-term thinking.
Kolo Toure’s ­potential drugs ban is a problem while Joleon Lescott’s form has been hit and miss.
City have the money to outbid their rivals and could tempt Owen Coyle with a swap deal, including Shaun Wright-Phillips and Dedryk Boyata.
Cahill was also watched by Arsenal and Aston Villa, while Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham are observing.

So, I suppose they were there there just to watch Cahill, rather than watching 2 of our upcoming league fixtures. And Lescott's not been hit and miss as late, he's been solid with Vince, a very decent partnership. Nobbers!

[Crossie]

I thinking letting Boyatta go would be a serious mistake

[Wooders]

I thinking letting Boyatta go would be a serious mistake

Perhaps a season long loan as part of the deal would be a masterstroke ?
Otherwise, no, don't sell him

[Mikhail Chigorin]

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson continues to pursue Tottenham winger Gareth Bale and is willing to offer a player-plus-cash deal. caughtoffside.com

Given 'Arry's apparent liking for signing older players with only a few years left on the clock, I wonder if Fergiescum will be trying to pull a master stroke by offering Scholes or Giggs (or even Hargreaves ??) in the exchange .....or do the Scum still need those two for next season ??

It might all depend on what brown envelopes are passed about, although by next season 'Arry could be in jail.

[Dronny]

Milner spat with Rooney agent over birthday party behaviour
Manchester City midfielder James Milner had a row with United striker Wayne Rooney's agent Paul Stretford to add spice to Saturday's FA Cup semi-final between the Manchester rivals.
The pair exchanged angry words after Milner warned Stretford about his behaviour at team-mate Gareth Barry's 30th birthday.
Their spat followed a verbal disagreement between Stretford's wife Gemma and Milner's girlfriend at the party in Cheshire, attended by several members of the City squad.
Stretford accused Milner's partner of upsetting Gemma, which prompted the City player to intervene and confront the agent about his behaviour.
Rooney's agent then called Milner the following day to resolve their differences.
It is believed Stretford was invited to the party by Barry because their children attend the same nursery.
Milner and Stretford were both unavailable for comment.

Doubly disappointed here, firstly for Gazza for inviting the obnoxious rag cunt and secondly for Square Jaw for not "inviting" the ORC outside and chinning him.

[avoidconfusion]

Milner spat with Rooney agent over birthday party behaviour
Manchester City midfielder James Milner had a row with United striker Wayne Rooney's agent Paul Stretford to add spice to Saturday's FA Cup semi-final between the Manchester rivals.
The pair exchanged angry words after Milner warned Stretford about his behaviour at team-mate Gareth Barry's 30th birthday.
Their spat followed a verbal disagreement between Stretford's wife Gemma and Milner's girlfriend at the party in Cheshire, attended by several members of the City squad.
Stretford accused Milner's partner of upsetting Gemma, which prompted the City player to intervene and confront the agent about his behaviour.
Rooney's agent then called Milner the following day to resolve their differences.
It is believed Stretford was invited to the party by Barry because their children attend the same nursery.
Milner and Stretford were both unavailable for comment.

Doubly disappointed here, firstly for Gazza for inviting the obnoxious rag cunt and secondly for Square Jaw for not "inviting" the ORC outside and chinning him.

If he was to "chin" him with his "chin" surely Stretford would be dead.

[jono1978]

Cash and Ferdinand for bale done deal imho. Time will tell

[Dameerto]

Was anyone else amused by Rooney's agent being calle Stretford?

[sirgordonzola]

Man City enter auction for Bolton's Cahill
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is in the race for Bolton’s England new boy Gary Cahill – and will be major player in the £20million auction.
Mancini, assistant David Platt and a top scout watched classy centre half Cahill against West Ham on Saturday as they close in – aware Wanderers look set to sell in the summer.
He chose to watch Cahill rather than study FA Cup semi-final rivals Manchester United – and City have told Bolton they are ­interested.
Mancini has got a vacancy at the back in his long-term thinking.
Kolo Toure’s ­potential drugs ban is a problem while Joleon Lescott’s form has been hit and miss.
City have the money to outbid their rivals and could tempt Owen Coyle with a swap deal, including Shaun Wright-Phillips and Dedryk Boyata.

I think Lescott has looked solid lately, and its all been about getting games, the more he plays the stronger he looks, in my opinion.

i totally agree with an earlier poster, this would be a big mistake, the lad has class, he's Vinnie's mate, and i can see a lot of Vinnie in him, he will be a permanant member of the team in a couple of years.

[bobby brows]

Joleon has been terrific for most of the season!

Letting Dedryck go would be a disaster, was magnificant last sunday! more of the same tonight i hope