Man City ready to make shock bids for Cesc Fabregas and Luka Modric
MANCHESTER CITY are ready to unleash a concerted Abu Dhabi-backed effort to land Roberto Mancini’s top summer target Cesc Fabregas.
They will offer a staggering £58million for the Arsenal star – valued at £60m by Arsene Wenger.
That demolishes the British record £50m transfer fee Chelsea paid for Fernando Torres in January.
And it could be just the start, with Mancini also looking at Tottenham midfield maestro Luka Modric – who is on Sir Alex Ferguson’s wishlist at Old Trafford.
Seeing City poach Modric would be galling enough, but the noisy neighbours also want to hijack Manchester United’s moves for England and Aston Villa star Ashley Young, and Dutch wizard Wesley Sneijder.
People Sport exclusively revealed in March that Mancini would push for more big signings this summer.
The ambitious Italian is determined to press the Middle Eastlands moneymen for the A-list players he believes will continue City’s development into a team capable of winning the big prizes.
City chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak confirmed last week that the club will pursue “quality not quantity” as Mancini fine-tunes a squad for the demands of Champions League and Premier League combat.
And that means Fabregas and £40m-rated Modric – and Inter Milan’s £35m Sneijder – are all viable targets.
Mancini accepts City need a technically supreme central midfield star to call the shots and dictate the pattern of play.
He no longer sees England star Gareth Barry as the man to run City’s midfield in the big games, and the former Villa star looks set to assume a lesser role next season.
Fabregas is Mancini’s first choice, with the 24-year-old star disillusioned with life as an Arsenal also-ran.
Barcelona is the preferred destination for the Spanish World Cup winner, but the Catalan giants already have two of the best midfielders in the world in Xavi and Andres Iniesta.
United boss Ferguson has promised one stellar signing this summer and he would break the bank to sign Fabregas if he could, with Paul Scholes heading for retirement.
But City have the financial power to out-muscle the 19-time league champions – and now they can offer Champions League football, too.
Wenger has tried to out-price suitors with a £60m price tag, but that’s peanuts to City owner Sheikh Mansour.
It is City’s sudden interest in Villa winger Young that will cause most consternation at Old Trafford.
Talks between the player and United are thought to be so advanced that contracts are already being drawn up.
But that has not put off City, who met with Young’s representatives last week in an attempt to change the 25-year-old’s mind. United remain favourites to land the England international, who is said by friends to have set his heart on a move to the Premier League champions after being told he will become Ryan Giggs’ long-term successor on the left wing.
City know that in capturing Young they would not only add a major talent to their squad but also achieve the double whammy of denying United his services.
The tactic of weakening other sides by signing their best players was introduced by Mark Hughes during his reign at Eastlands, and is a policy the club will clearly maintain.
The fact City believe they can tempt Young to choose them is also further proof of the lofty ambitions within the corridors of power at the club.
United, however, will believe that winning this battle will be a reminder to City, particularly timely given last weekend’s FA Cup victory for the Blue Moonies, that they are still top dogs in Manchester and, indeed, the Premier League.
Mancini has been a fan of Croatian Modric since he arrived in this country.
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is notoriously hard-nosed in transfer dealings, but with the club no longer involved in Champions League football next season, Modric could push to leave.
Intruigingly, City director of football Brian Marwood was also seen engaging Football Writers’ Footballer of the Year Scott Parker at his award presentation in London recently, although Spurs seem favourites to grab the West Ham man for £9m.
Everton left-back Leighton Baines and Udinese’s £26m Chilean attacker Alexis Sanchez also look to be on their way to Eastlands.
And if Carlos Tevez heads for Italy or Spain this summer then Mancini will need another striker to back up Edin Dzeko and youngster Mario Balotelli.
They have made a £22m bid for Valencia’s Spain international wideman Juan Mata, as Hotline revealed last week, as they try to land a left-sided player.
Roberto Mancini is also in talks with Ajax defender Jan Vertonghen about a move to Eastlands. The Belgian plays in central defence for his country alongside City’s Vincent Kompany.
Farmed-out stars Craig Bellamy and Emmanuel Adebayor – on loan at Cardiff and Real Madrid respectively – are due back at City next week, but Mancini is not keen on either forward coming back permanently after spats with both players.
They will join left-back Wayne Bridge, due back from his loan at West Ham, and back-up keeper Shay Given as a quartet leaving Eastlands once the season is over.
It all adds up to a busy summer for jaded boss Mancini, who is going back to Italy for a break to recharge his batteries after a hectic year.
Vieira's last stand?
Roberto MANCINI believes today’s trip to Bolton WILL NOT be Patrick Vieira’s swansong in a Manchester City shirt.
Vieira’s contract expires this summer and he could be moved on after playing a bit-part role this season.
The former Arsenal midfielder has been tipped to see out the twilight of his career with close pal Thierry Henry in America.
But Mancini says the 35-year-old Frenchman could still have a future at Eastlands.
The Man City boss said: “Patrick has been fantastic. Every time he has played he has been like a father for the other players.
“I want to speak to him for his opinion and see if he will stay.”
City can sign off their season in style with a win at the Reebok that would seal a third place finish – and avoid the prospect of a Champions League qualifier.
Mancini, who ended the club’s 35-year trophy drought with their FA Cup final win last week, says the footballing world will soon fear the mega-rich club.
The Italian added: “Two years ago they thought we would be an easy game.
“But those clubs who will meet us in the Champions League will start thinking it will be a difficult game now.”
Roberto Mancini will begin Manchester City's summer spending this week by confirming the signing of Belgian defender Jan Vertonghen. News of the World
Manchester City coach Kidd will return to the Reds for a night
His loyalty is to Manchester City these days but 1968 European Cup hero Brian Kidd hopes to be at Wembley next Saturday to see Manchester United emulate Sir Matt Busby's team and beat Barcelona to win the Champions League.
Kidd scored on his 19th birthday as United beat Benfica 4-1 and holds a unique place in Manchester footballing history, playing for and coaching both clubs.
He served as Sir Alex Ferguson's assistant at Old Trafford and is now performing the same role for Roberto Mancini at City.
Kidd said: 'I genuinely want United to win the Champions League because it is great for the city of Manchester.
'I've been a lucky lad to be involved with my two local clubs. United have fantastic fans, like City have fantastic fans.'
Kidd remembers the emotion of 1968. 'We knew what the occasion meant, 10 years after the tragedy at Munich.
'We wanted to do it for Sir Matt. You could see what it meant to him.'
Man City skipper Tevez to miss FA Cup parade
Manchester City captain Carlos Tevez will miss their FA Cup parade tomorrow.
Tevez is booked on a flight to Buenos Aires hours before the Blues’ open-top bus tour of the city, says the Sunday Mirror.
Tevez risks alienating the City fans who have made him a cult hero in the two years since he arrived from neighbours Manchester United.
And it is another clear sign that the striker will quit Eastlands this summer just six months after withdrawing a transfer request.
Sources at City believe Tevez is waiting for Inter Milan to firm up their interest with a solid offer before telling the club officially that his time in England is up.
A source close to Tevez has insisted that there is no snub intended and that the Premier League’s joint leading 20-goal top-scorer is just anxious to get back to his family in Argentina as soon as the season ends.
Toure awaits his fate as FA prepare to make decision on drug rap
Manchester City defender Kolo Toure will this week find out his punishment for failing a drugs test.
An FA-led tribunal will discuss the 30-year-old's case and could hand out a maximum ban of two years.
Toure has been in limbo since early March after an A sample he had given at a previous game came back positive.
City immediately suspended him from playing but he has continued to watch matches at Eastlands and mingle with his team-mates, including his brother and FA Cup hero Yaya.
Toure's defence is likely to centre on the substance he took being used to help with a weight problem rather than to enhance performance.
In 2009, goalkeeper Paddy Kenny was banned for nine months after traces of the banned substance ephedrine were found in his system while he was playing for Sheffield United.
He admitted the charge but said it was due to a cough medicine he had taken to combat a chest infection.
Toure was signed by former manager Mark Hughes from Arsenal in 2009 for £16million.
Manchester City set for double Japanese swoop
Japan internationals Keisuke Honda and Yuki Abe are lined up as the first new signings of Manchester City's ambitions to win the Premier League title and take on Europe's elite in the Champions League.
Linked with a plethora of world stars from Lionel Messi to Cristiano Ronaldo, Roberto Mancini's first assault takes place with City broadening their global reach.
Honda is rated one of the best footballers Japan has produced. The forward made an impact in the World Cup finals, alongside Yuki Abe in midfield. Honda is currently with CSKA Moscow, while his close friend Abe has already sampled life in England and the game in this country under Sven Goran Eriksson at Leicester City.
Even though there has been absolutely zero speculation about either Japanese stars, an ESPNsoccernet insider says: "The deals are under way, and expect both players to be at Eastlands."
Honda is a recognised global figure having come to the attention of Liverpool earlier in the season when Roy Hodgson was still manager. He has been has linked with Arsenal since the World Cup, as well as AC Milan.
Honda started his career at Gamba Osaka, the same club as former Arsenal player Junichi Inamoto, before moving onto Nagoya Grampus Eight.
Yuki Abe moved from Urawa Red Diamonds to Leicester City but is now eager to join Honda at Eastlands. He played in all of Japan's World Cup games before they lost to Paraguay in the first knockout round.
He was the youngest ever to play in the J-League when he made his debut in August 1998 and played a vital role in Urawa winning the 2007 Asian Champions League. The 29-year-old has made 36 appearances for Leicester this season, scoring one goal.
Can The Real Carlos Tevez Please Stand Up? Man City – Man United Legend Needs Help.
Carlos Tevez’s recent bizarre behaviour may be down to multiple personality disorder, it has been revealed.
The troubled footballer’s ‘favourite’ identity appears to involve talking with a baby voice, and constantly demanding a transfer to a new club.
Sources claim the footballer, 26, is suffering from dissociative identity disorder, which leads the sufferers to take on various personalities to dissociate them from reality.
Those with the disorder take on different identities to help them cope with stressful situations and it is believed that his current troubles stem back to his time at West Ham united, where he found that either the ‘dumb’ impression or ‘singing loudly’ to himself made difficult questions go away.
Tevez is said to have been showing a variety of different personalities. Besides “spoilt child “, other alter egos include “the night club singer” and “mute football star”.
Apparently when Carlos “returns” from one of his episodes, he has no recollection of what he did or said during the time as his assumed personality.
Fans and teammates alike were shocked recently when after scoring a goal Ex Manchester United star Tevez pulled a dummy from his sock, initially believing this to be part of the celebration they were later shocked when the player started breastfeeding a woman in the Colin Bell Stand.
“He was slurping away and insisting that the woman rub his back, it was disgusting but strangely arousing ” said one onlooker.
However Tevez had no recollection of events and was said to have been deeply troubled after viewing his actions and finding breast milk running down his chin.
His Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini recently claimed that the player would be staying at Eastlands for the remainder of his contract but unfortunately this was after a conversation with Carlos ‘the nightclub singer’.
“Roberto was bowled over by his Tom Jones routine and walked away from the meeting believing that his star player had signed up for another few seasons” said one club insider.
“It was only later when he saw his captain jumping up and down and shouting Carlos want poo poo did he realize that he had a problem”
Manchester City have appealed to the player’s representatives for help but hold out little hope as his agents benefit massively from not just his football income but also his midweek spot in a city center Karaoke bar.
The situation must be resolved as UEFA have informed the club that each of the different personalities will require a seperate squad number for next year’s Champions League competition. Manchester City fans will wait nervously for the next chapter in this long running saga.
WAG OF THE DAY
OTHER BOLLOX
Arsenal are prepared to sell captain Cesc Fabregas back to his former club Barcelona for £50m. Sunday Mirror
Chelsea are ready to fight Manchester United to sign Spurs playmaker Luka Modric. News of the World
Arsenal want 19-year-old Germany international midfielder Mario Gotze, who would cost about £25m from Borussia Dortmund, as a replacement for contract rebel Samir Nasri. Blackburn duo Phil Jones and Christopher Samba are also on the Gunners' radar. Sunday Mirror
Arsene Wenger has vowed to splash out to bring the best players to the Emirates next season, with Samba, Bolton defender Gary Cahill and West ham midfielder Scott Parker all on his radar. Sunday Express
Manchester United have called time on Owen Hargreaves' injury-hit career at Old Trafford and will not offer him a new contract. Mail on Sunday
Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel says the club may have to cash in on Ashley Young this summer. talkSPORT
Tottenham will attempt to lure former striker Dimitar Berbatov back to White Hart Lane from Manchester United.Caughtoffside.com
Manchester United are preparing a £12m bid to lure Ajax's Dutch international right-back Gregory van der Wiel to Old Trafford. News of the World
QPR are on red alert after defender Sebastien Bassong revealed he wants to quit Tottenham. Sunday Mirror
Bolton captain Kevin Davies fears in-demand central defender Gary Cahill could leave the Reebok Stadium in the summer. Sunday Mirror
Manchester United expect to sign Atletico Madrid goalkeeper David De Gea for £17.5m within two weeks. Goal.com
Liverpool are ready to battle Newcastle and Sunderland for Wigan's Charles N'Zogbia. (News of the World)
Manchester United have emerged as front-runners to sign 18-year-old Lens defender Raphael Varane. Sunday Telegraph
Sir Alex Ferguson is prepared to let striker Michael Owen leave Old Trafford, but wants Danny Welbeck to return from his loan spell at Sunderland. Sunday People
Newcastle midfielder Kevin Nolan is ready to sign a new contract at the club - and he has urged fellow midfielder Joey Barton to follow suit. Press Association
QPR majority shareholder Bernie Ecclestone insists Neil Warnock will remain as manager, following the side's promotion. "He's staying - 100%," he said. "He's absolutely taking the club into the Premier League." Press Association
Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere is reportedly considering pulling out of the England squad for next month's European Under-21 Championship. Liverpool striker Andy Carroll may also miss the competition. Press Association
Aston Villa's owner Randy Lerner will reluctantly sack Gerard Houllier for the sake of the manager's health, with Everton's David Moyes being lined up as a replacement. Mail on Sunday
Carlo Ancelotti insists he will not beg to keep his job as Chelsea manager. Mail on Sunday
Ancelotti would be prepared to take on the challenge of managing relegated West Ham just to stay in English football. News of the World
Guus Hiddink, the man wanted by Roman Abramovich to replace Ancelotti, is already on the Stamford Bridge payroll. Sunday Express
Former Liverpool and Inter Milan boss Rafa Benitez is in line to replace Steve Kean as manager of Blackburn if the club survive the drop. News of the World
Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that win or lose, he will not consider retiring after Saturday's Champions League final. The Observer
Indian billionaire Lakshmi Mittal will table a buyout bid for QPR on Monday that could spark a multi-million pound war with Manchester City for the Premier League title. Sunday Express
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce is set for showdown talks with owner Ellis Short this week that could determine his future at the club. Sunday Mirror
Birmingham City are facing an uncertain financial future if they lose their Premier League status at Tottenham on Sunday. Sunday Telegraph
England manager Fabio Capello will select Fulham striker Bobby Zamora for his provisional squad for their Euro 2012 qualifier with Switzerland on 4 June. Sunday Telegraph
Capello is desperate to talk Robert Green out of quitting international football to avoid a goalkeeping crisis. Mail on Sunday
Aston Villa's unsettled forward Ashley Young says he his hurt at accusations of being a "diver". Independent on Sunday
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez says January's transfer window is largely responsible for his club's relegation plight, saying the disruption of agents affected his team's concentration and possibly cost them points. Observer
Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley says he will share around a £500k bonus for the staff at St James's Park if the Magpies beat West Brom on Sunday. The Sunday Mirror
