Wednesday's Humble B*ll*x (updated)

[Chinners]

Before we start today's offering we would just like to say how sorry we are here at B*ll*x Towers with the news that Carlos Tevez's move from Man City to Corinthians is off. We are deeply sorry and promise to never er .. um .. we can't remember as we are not able to answer due to us not being there at the time. For weeks now this saga has rumbled on in the media and public arena and has probably been the most humble experience of our time here reporting the daily football going ons at Mancityfans.net. Carlos Tevez's move from Manchester City to Corinthians has fallen through because the Brazilian club pulled out. City thought a £40m deal had been agreed for the Argentine striker after he told the Premier League club he wanted to return to South America. But Corinthians said there was not enough time to sign the the 27-year-old before the Brazilian transfer window closes on Thursday.
Corinthians still want Tevez and hinted an agreement may be reached in January. Now all of this of course will be reported, commented on and predicted in other articles and threads on Mancityfans.net, for this we accept no blame or responsibility believing we were let down by employees lower down in the organisation who we cannot name at this time. We think its rather app that this may well appear in joehartenglandsnumberone Blog in the next few hours. With that out of the way I am off to scoff a custard pie for breakfast whilst you digest todays humble offering ...

Wesley Sneijder 'offered to Man City in Carlos Tevez transfer swap' ... Doh!
Inter Milan have reportedly proposed a sensational swap deal with Manchester City that would see Wesley Sneijder exchanged for Carlos Tevez.
The trade would come as a massive blow to City’s neighbours United, who despite recent denials, are still keen on the playmaker and would be devastated to see him move to their title rivals.
Italian sources though, have told Manchester Evening News that Inter are keen on the wantaway Blues forward, and are willing to sacrifice the Dutchman in order to get him.
A swap deal would also likely suit City and Tevez, who are both supposedly eager to avoid a deal with Corinthians.
The Brazilian’s transfer proposal for the striker is beginning to look increasingly complicated, and a straight exchange for a £35million-rated player may prove the more attractive option to the Eastlands outfit.
Tevez was prepared to join Corinthians as a last resort, but a move to Milan would keep him playing at the top level, as well as represent a realistic relocation destination for his family.

Mancini will strip Tevez of City captaincy if he doesn't join Corinthians (Doh! again)
Roberto Mancini does not want Carlos Tevez back at Manchester City – and is prepared to strip him of the captaincy if he returns.
Mancini will be disappointed if Tevez’s £42.5million move to ­Corinthians falls through after City did everything to accommodate his transfer back to South America to be nearer his family.
The manager is planning for the new campaign without the ­Argentinian and is closing in on a £40m swoop for Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero.
Mancini has grown tired of trying to appease Tevez and will assert his authority over him if he returns to the Etihad Stadium next month.
Mancini has earmarked Vincent Kompany to succeed Tevez as skipper and may press ahead with the change even if he stays.
Kompany is already City’s captain in everything but name and is seen by the club and the players as the voice of the dressing room.
Stripping Tevez of the captaincy would be the most public sign that the striker’s star treatment is over.
Tevez would have to fight for his place if his compatriot Aguero arrives and Mancini is keen to end the perception that City are a one-man team, who are too reliant on the former Manchester United hitman.
City are favourites ahead of Real Madrid and Juventus to activate the wantaway Aguero’s £40m release clause.
Atletico would prefer to sell Aguero to City and the Juventus offer falls short of their £40m ­valuation, while they are loathe to lose him to bitter rivals Real.
City’s talks with Atletico CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin are progressing and Mancini confirmed a formal bid is ­imminent.
“Maybe in the next days,” he said. “I have not spoken to anyone about it, but probably. I think so.”
Corinthians have until 4am tomorrow to complete Tevez’s signing before the Brazilian transfer window closes and the Sao Paulo club are contesting
City’s demands to pay the fee in four £9.6m annual instalments, plus the £3.86m add-ons.
They want to pay the first part in February and believe they have proved they have the cash to finance the deal after faxing City copies of their £35m-a-year TV deal.
Mancini said: “The clubs are talking. They only have one number and it does not work at the moment.”
Corinthians claim City have threatened the deal by inserting a clause that the first payment is made when Tevez signs.
Director of football Roberto de Andrade said: “The fee is agreed, but the problem is the method of payment. We want to start paying next year.”

City & Chelsea are being linked with a mystery bid for Javier Pastore
http://www.insidefutbol.com/2011/07/20/ ... ore/45639/

Beckham relishing City challenge
LA Galaxy midfielder David Beckham is looking forward to taking on Roberto Mancini’s big-spending Manchester City this weekend.English Premier League side City continue their pre-season tour of the US at the Home Depot Centre on Sunday, where they will face Beckham’s Western Conference-leading Galaxy.
However, Beckham wants his side to focus on their midweek MLS match against the Columbus Crew before turning their attention to the City friendly.
“You know we’re concentrating on tomorrow’s game first,” Beckham said. “Once that game’s out of the way then we’ll look forward to the game on Sunday at our own stadium with a world-class team with a lot of great players in it.”
“We’re looking forward to it. It’s going to be one of those games that fans are going to enjoy, I’m sure. We’ll concentrate on tomorrow night first.”
The Galaxy were comprehensively beaten in their last high-profile match against one of Beckham’s former clubs, Real Madrid.
But despite going down 4-1 to the La Liga giants over the weekend, Beckham believes Galaxy’s players will learn from the experience.
“I think it’s always great for any player to play against world-class opponents because it makes you a better player, it improves you, you learn from it,” he said.
“It’s like playing against Real Madrid. As difficult a game as it was, you learn and you watch these players.”
“It’s what I used to do as a young kid and it’s what all the young kids on our team do. You watch the likes of Kaka, Ronaldo, these players that you can learn from.”

Milner not impressed with pitch
James Milner believes Manchester City will have reason to be thankful if a minor injury for Yaya Toure is the only price to be paid for being forced to play on a pudding of a pitch in Vancouver.
Although the surface at the DC Stadium passed an afternoon inspection, it soon became apparent it was not fit for purpose.
Privately, some connected with the Blues questioned whether the game should have been played, although in the end, the visitor emerged from the 2-1 win largely unscathed.
Although Toure will have to be assessed after sustaining a first-half ankle injury, manager Roberto Mancini has already played down fears of a long-term problem for the midfielder, describing the knock as 'not serious'.
And for that, Milner feels, City has cause to breathe a sigh of relief.
"It was probably one of the worst pitches we have played on," said the England midfielder.
"I am not blaming anyone but it is not ideal in pre-season and probably increased the risk of injury.
"There were big chunks coming out of the pitch, so turning was difficult.
"You try to put it out of your mind but when it is taking you five steps to turn round, subconsciously you are bound to think about it.
"Yaya has got injured and if it is not too bad, maybe we were a bit lucky to get away with it."
If nothing else, the concern over Toure stopped conversation about Carlos Tevez for a short while.
Even though he is now at home in South America, the Argentina star has cast a vast shadow over City's preparations for the new campaign.
The statement Corinthians released playing down Roberto Mancini's claim of a £40 million ($60.14 million) deal being done had been anticipated by the Blues hierarchy, who want to see proof of Corinthians' ability to pay before they reluctantly accept Tevez is leaving.
However, in confirming he expects a bid for Atletico Madrid's Sergio Aguero to be lodged within the coming days, Mancini has shown he is already looking to the future.
It seems his players share those sentiments, although Gareth Barry is not prepared to put the boot into a man who has combined excellence on the field with endless distractions off it.
"There has obviously been the odd chat about Carlos," said the England midfielder.
"He has made it clear he is ready to leave and the players will respect his decision.
"We would be sad to lose him because he is a class player who has worked really hard. He has helped the club win its first trophy and he has always given 100 percent. We are grateful for that.
"But if you believe what you read, then yes, he has played his last game."
For now, it will have to be taken on trust that Aguero is up to the job of replacing his fellow countryman.
Certainly performances for Atletico indicate he is, even if a fee of £45 million ($67.66 million) means the 23-year-old could hardly be described as a snip.
"Aguero is a very exciting player from what I have seen on TV," said Barry.
"He is a class act. Names like that will excite fans and the players."
With or without Tevez, City must advance from last season's very productive effort, which secured it an automatic Champions League slot in addition to ending a 35-year trophy drought by beating Stoke City in the FA Cup final.
Barry confirms that Wembley triumph has strengthened his team-mates' inner resolve, although he actually believes expectations were higher in the campaigns prior to this one.
"It was a lot worse before we won a trophy," said the 30-year-old.
"Obviously the expectation is high but it seems a lot more settled.
"Winning the FA Cup is a reminder that we can go the full distance in a competition. That drought is finally over.
"We cannot just rest on that though. It is important that we don't keep still.
"We need to keep believing and building on the progress we made last season.
"We have to move forward to try and reach the levels other clubs have maintained over the years."



OTHER BOLLOX
Tottenham and Aston Villa are locked in a battle with Italian side Lazio to sign Lyon's 21-year-old playmaker Miralem Pjanic. talkSHIT

Bolton have been given the green light by Spanish giants Barcelona to sign young winger Jeffren Suarez for £5m. Daily Mirror

Arsenal have stepped up their interest in Sao Paulo's 20-year-old full-back Bruno Uvini. talkSHIT

Arsenal are in advanced talks with Bayern Munich for the transfer of France forward Franck Ribery. footybunker.com

Stoke and West Ham are set to make offers for Bolton's left-sided midfielder Matthew Taylor, who has a year left on his contract. talkSPORT

Stoke manager Tony Pulis is also launching a £10m bid for Tottenham's Peter Crouch as he attempts to land an experienced Premier League striker. Daily Mail

Liverpool have invited Mexican striker Marco Bueno for a 10-day trial and are in talks with club Pachuca over a potential five-year deal for the 17-year-old. Daily Mail

Leicester City remain hopeful of beating Premier League side Swansea to the signing of Newcastle winger Wayne Routledge. talkSPORT

The Swans have had a £1.8m bid for Routledge accepted, but Nottingham Forest are also in the hunt for the 26-year-old. Daily Mirror

Arsenal have again been scuppered by Manchester United in the transfer market, this time for 19-year-old Costa Rica striker Joel Campbell. Metro

Director Sergejus Fedotovas is confident Hearts midfielder Rudi Skacel is close to agreeing fresh terms. The Tynecastle club are set to take up their option to extend the Czech's contract by a further 12 months following talks. Daily Record

Chelsea captain John Terry says he wants to stay on at the club when he retires to become the manager at Stamford Bridge. Daily Mirror

Tottenham's Rafael van der Vaart says Spurs have enough quality to compete for trophies next season - if Croat midfielder Luka Modric stays at White Hart Lane. talkSHIT

Southampton teenager Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain says he is ready to step up to the Premier League. Daily Mirror

Spurs' Brazilian midfielder Sandro has played down fears he faces three months on the sidelines with a knee injury, saying he is likely to be out for only one month. talkSHIT

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson admits he would not have blamed Dimitar Berbatov for demanding to quit after he was left out of the Champions League final in May. The Bulgarian broke down in tears on hearing the news. talkSHIT

The new Premier League season is likely to be the last to feature goal-line controversies after its chief executive, Richard Scudamore, said he was hopeful technology could be introduced in time for the 2012-2013 campaign. The Guardian

Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish has asked all the club's northern-based players, including recently signed goalkeeper Shay Given, to relocate to Birmingham. Daily Mirror

Defender Oliver Gill - Reserve Player of the Year - has turned down a new contract at Manchester United to enrol at Durham University. His father David is the club's chief executive.Daily Mail

New £4.8m Newcastle signing Yohan Cabaye was initially refused entry to the United States after being accused of not paying for some dentistry work completed there while he was playing for Lille. the Sun

BOLLOX BOLLOX
Manchester United and City snub Snoop Dogg's shirt request
He may be one of the most famous ‘football fans’ in the world, but Snoop Dogg still couldn’t blag a free shirt from Manchester United OR City from his recent gig in the north-west.
The Doggfather, who’s good pals with Old Trafford hero David Beckham, revealed he requests a new shirt in every city he visits, but amazingly was dealt a snub from two of the most fame-hungry clubs in England.
‘I got about 100 (shirts) now,’ said the rapper.
‘Can you believe they didn't give me a shirt tonight?
‘I'm in Manchester and they didn't get me a football jersey? I don't know whether United or City - guess I'd just have to have both.’
The 39-year-old, who is promoting his latest album Doggumentary, also revealed it’s not his own name he asks for printed on the back of his souvenirs, but instead one of United and City’s main title rivals.
He said: ‘I have the players I like, like Didier Drogba. He's a really good guy.’
If you want free stuff in the future Snoop, best not mention that…

[Patrick]

End of the first paragraph........ Very subtle Cheggers

[bobby brows]

Wednesday's Rumour Mill

Liverpool are hot on the tail of Pachuca's teenage striker Marco Bueno, whom the Sun is billing as "the Mexican wonderkid", which raises the question: does he ride around on Champion, the wonder horse? Bueno sounds good, and the Sun reckon Liverpool "have unearthed a gem", though given that he recently won the Under-17 World Cup live on global television, the excavation can't have been too tricky. Indeed, even the Mill can tell you that he plays "like a streak of lightnin' flashing 'cross the sky, like the swiftest arrow whizzing from a bow, like a mighty cannonball he seems to fly, you'll hear about him everywhere you go, the time will come when everyone will know, the name of ... Bueno, the wonderkid."


All this serenading of wonderkids is enough to make you fear football is going the way of gymnastics, with competitors over the hill as soon as they emerge from puberty. There was a time when Javier Pastore might have been described as a wonderkid but at 22 he's an old stager now even if his nickname of El Flaco ("The Skinny One") attests to the fact that he's still a waif. Anyway, someone has put a £40m bid to Palermo for the midfield schemer, but Palermo aren't yet saying who: so let's do a bit sleuthing – who's looking for a playmaker and could afford to fork out £40m to get him? It's not hard to work out.


Noisy neighbours Manchester City are about to metaphorically turn on the washing machine at 3am and start banging drums outside Sir Alex Ferguson's house while setting off car alarms. By gazumping United for the signature of Wesley Sneijder, obviously. In return Internazionale will be given a large pile of money plus Carlos Tevez, who will thus edge closer to home.


Were Arsenal one of the clubs you thought of when we mentioned £40m playmakers? It's easy to forget that Arsenal could afford to spend £40m. But do they need a playmaker? Perhaps, if Cesc Fábregas goes. Which is why it may interest you to know that the French media claim that Arsène Wenger had a bid turned down a few weeks ago for Lyon's Miralem Pjanic but remains interested. Lazio, Spurs, Aston Villa and Hamburg want the Luxembourg-born Bosnian too, and who wouldn't?


Talksport's interest-ometer reveals that Arsenal have also "stepped up their interest" in recruiting Sao Paulo's 20-year-old full-back Bruno Uvini. And if Arsenal players walk into their dressing room next season to find that some hilarious prankster has smeared toothpaste on the door handle or placed whoopee cushions on their seats, it'll be because Wenger has signed wacky japester and formerly decent winger Franck Ribéry.


Were Paris Saint-Germain one of the clubs you thought of when we mentioned £40m playmakers? It's easy to forget the newly-flush French side can blow almost anyone out of the water, Rainbow Warrior-like, now that they've been taken off by ludicrously rich sugar daddies. But a playmaker isn't what they're after at the moment: their No1 target, apparently, is a humungously powerful teenage striker – a wonderkid, you might say – and that means Chelsea et al may not get to land Romelu Lukaku, after all.


Bolton sure won't. But they might nab Jeffren from Barcelona for a mere £5m, which would be quite a coup for a club that faces being beaten to Nigel Reo-Coker by Leicester City. Sven-Goran Eriksson also wants to beat Swansea City to the signing of Wayne Routledge and have the advantage of being able to offer him Championship football, which is much closer to his level. Swansea's Welsh brethren Cardiff, meanwhile, want Kenny Miller to fire them to the brink of the Premier League before their customary late-season collapse.


Matt Taylor could leave Bolton for European football's Stoke. Birmingham, meanwhile, want to relieve Sunderland of Matt Kilgallon.


But what of Wolves? Who might Mick McCarthy be planning to bring in to avoid another nail-biting relegation scuffle? Let's pikc up the local newspaper to find out: "Nothing to report today," admits the admirably honest Express & Star.

[Chinners]

From the transfer ticker on Sky website

12:04 Speculation: Sky Sports sources understand Manchester City would demand £50million from any European club who want to sign Carlos Tevez. More to follow…

Someone is getting paid for doing this sort of 'work', I reckon myself of Mark (Blue Army) should apply ...

[Dameerto]

i wonder if its the same person who linked Atletico's new signing to the profile of a wigan defender with a similar name last night on their website.

[Chinners]

They've padded out that comment now ... sources indeed

Tevez costs more in Europe
City to demand £50m for wantaway frontman
Sky Sports sources understand Manchester City will demand £50million from a European club for Carlos Tevez.
The Blues had been willing to sanction a £40million sale to Brazilian outfit Corinthians, with Tevez having expressed his desire to move on this summer.
However, a deal to take the Argentine striker back to South America has broken down, with Corinthians conceding defeat in their efforts to re-sign a man who is still held in high regard around the club following a successful two-year spell there between 2004 and 2006.
The Brazilian side claim the reason for their pulling out of a move is a lack of time, with their transfer window set to slam shut on Wednesday 20th July.
Terms
It appears as though they would need considerably more time in which to reach an agreement, with it understood that Tevez never got as far as thrashing out personal terms.
The fiery frontman is now expected to leave the Ethiad Stadium for another European side - one in a city where his family can feel settled.
Real Madrid are considered to be the favourites, but the likes of Inter Milan are also likely to flex their financial muscles in any bidding war.
Whoever decides to make a move will need to dig deep in order to get their man, with it claimed that City will raise their asking price to £50million when it comes to a continental rival.

[BlueinBosnia]

Tottenham and Aston Villa are locked in a battle with Italian side Lazio to sign Lyon's 21-year-old playmaker Miralem Pjanic. talkSHIT

Not true.

[Chinners]

EVENING BOLLOX
Tevez to 'respect' City
Striker's advisor confident striker has time to resolve future
Kia Joorabchian insists Carlos Tevez will 'respect' Manchester City even if he misses out on his desired summer move.
The Argentina international was close to re-joining his old club Corinthians, but there proved too little time for the Brazilian giants to conclude the deal before their transfer window closed.
Tevez's future remains up in the air as he has previously revealed his desire to leave the Etihad Stadium for family reasons and City are believed to want £50million to part company with his services to a European club.
The striker's advisor Joorabchian insists that Tevez will 'respect' the deal he has with City which still has three years to run, although he does highlight the fact that there is another six weeks before the European transfer window closes.
"He's still a City player. He will respect that," he revealed to Sky Sports News. "We'll keep it like that until there is something on the table.
"There was a concrete offer on the table. The offer was very close to be negotiated and agreed. Unfortunately it didn't go through.
"Now is not the time to speculate. The market has literally been open for two weeks. Anything can happen from here onwards.
"Carlos will now go on his holiday after the Copa America and we'll see what happens after."
It has been mooted that Chelsea could have joined the race for his signature, however, Joorabchian insists there has been no contact from the Blues.
He also says that Tevez's future has nothing to do with any possible arrivals at the club such as Sergio Aguero, stating his situation is treated on an individual basis.
"There's no contact with Chelsea at all," he continued.
"Carlos' future has nothing to do with other players. He bases things around his happiness.
"Carlos is a very big and important player at the moment. He's calm now and he's on holiday."
It had been thought that a possible lack of 'proof of funds' had been to blame over the failed switch, however, Joorabchian insists that Corinthians had the money to seal the deal.
"It wasn't anything to do with proof of funds," he stated. "It would almost be impossible for Corinthians not to be able to pay.
"They are the largest club in Brazil. It would almost be like Barcelona, Real Madrid or Manchester United not paying.
"They are one of the largest clubs in South America with that kind of revenue. I don't think that it would be an issue.
"I do think they were close. If there were three or four days left in the market they could have completed it.
"Now it's going to be little bit more complicated on where he goes."

City Squad For Stalybridge Game
A Manchester City XI are currently playing Conference North side Stalybridge Celtic at Bower Fold.
The City squad is as follows...
Loris Karius, Ian Ormson, Ian Lavery, Kieran Trippier, Wayne Bridge, Nedum Onuoha, Kasim Rekik, Michael Johnson, Abdul Razak, Devante Cole, Gai Assulin, Joan Angel-Roman, Courtney Meppen-Walters, Ahmed Banali, Ellis Plummer, Kieran Kennedy, Paul Clowes, Bradley Robinson, Jordi Hiwula, Jeremy Helan and Adam Drewary.

City to open Aguero talks
Mancini eager to land Argentina international
Sky Sports News HD sources understand Manchester City are ready to enter formal talks with Atletico Madrid over the transfer of Sergio Aguero.
The Argentina international has confirmed that he intends to leave the capital club this summer, sparking a scramble for his signature.
Eastlands boss Roberto Mancini confirmed earlier in the week that he expected a bid to be lodged for the hugely-talented 23-year-old in the coming days.
And while the Premier League club are yet to table a formal offer, they are due to begin negotiations with their Spanish counterparts.
Mancini is eager to complete a swoop for the gifted forward regardless of the outcome of the Carlos Tevez transfer saga this summer.
Aguero has previously admitted that he would be open to the possibility of a move to the Premier League should he elect to leave Spain, where Real Madrid are known to be keen.
Meanwhile, Sky Sports sources have learned that Tevez's proposed move to Corinthians, worth £35million plus £3.5m in add-ons, collapsed when the Brazilian club failed to provide City with a bank guarantee.
Mancini's side had accepted all the terms of the offer from the South American side, but pulled the plug on the deal prior to the transfer window closing in Brazil at 4am on Thursday morning (UK time) as they were unable to provide proof of funds.
No other formal offers have been received for Tevez from other clubs.

Caicedo set for Moscow move
Former City striker poised for big-money switch
Skysports.com understands former Manchester City striker Felipe Caicedo is set to join Lokomotiv Moscow from Levante for €10million.
The Ecuador international moved to Eastlands in a £5.2million deal in January 2008 but was unable to force his way into the first-team picture.
Loan spells with Sporting and Malaga followed before the 22-year-old joined Levante on a season-long loan last summer with a view to a permanent deal.
The Spanish side immediately took up that option after Caicedo impressed and weighed in with 14 goals for the Primera Liga club.
But they shelled out just €1million (£868,000) for his services and are now set to make a handsome profit for the powerful forward.
Caicedo has recently been on international duty at the Copa America where he bagged two goals in Ecuador's three games.

YES Legend and Blue, Rick Wakeman to hold Q&A with mancityfans.net
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