Sergio Aguero can expect a hostile reception from Bolton fans when City travel to the Reebok for Sunday’s Premier League top-of-the-table clash.
And City’s new Argentinean hitman will be hoping for a happier outcome than on his last visit to the Reebok.
Aguero was part of Atletico Madrid’s squad that took on the Trotters in the first leg of their last 16 UEFA Cup tie in February 2008.
Former United marksman Diego Forlan was then considered Atletico’s danger man and Aguero had to make do with a place on the substitutes’ bench.
He was eventually introduced in the 59th minute for former Arsenal winger Juan Antonio Reyes. However, it was a short and not so happy appearance.
In fact, Aguero lasted just 12 minutes before being sent off for spitting at Matt Taylor by Danish referee Peter Rasmussen. He had reacted angrily to Taylor’s crunching challenge, one of many in an ill-tempered clash.
Aguero, then 19, protested his innocence but subsequently received a two-game ban.
His suspension put him out of the second leg at the Vicente Calderon Stadium as Wanderers secured a 0-0 draw to progress to the last 16.
Gary Megson, Bolton’s manager at the time, claimed: “I’m not pleading the fifth because I honestly didn’t see it. It was a long way off.
“But I believe spitting is what the lad was sent off for. There’s no place for it.”
Madrid boss Javier Aguirre defended his then petulant teenager.
“The version I’ve been told is that Aguero was sent off for spitting,” he said after a fiery game which was settled by El-Hadji Diouf’s winner.
“The player said he spat at the ground. I’ve seen it on television and it looks like the spit lands between the linesman and the player,” added Aguirre.
Fortunately for Aguero, he won’t have to face Taylor again this weekend.
The former Portsmouth midfielder recently joined ex-Bolton boss Sam Allardyce at West Ham in a £2m deal.
Indeed, only keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen, England centre-half Gary Cahill and captain Kevin Davies remain from the starting line-up which faced Atletico three years ago.
Aguero has certainly grown up in every respect since that instantly forgettable night. However, there weren’t too many at the Reebok that night who saw him as a future £38m player.
“I remember the incident,” said Aguero when the unsavoury incident was brought up during City’s tour to Ireland earlier this month.
“I was spitting in the direction of the player but not to the player. However, the officials thought that and suspended me.
“I don’t know what the reception will be like.
“As long as our fans welcome me, I’ll be happy.”
Aguero will certainly be given a hero’s reception by visiting supporters after his stunning debut against Swansea on Monday.
Two goals and an assist made him an instant favourite with the Eastlands faithful. And it could prompt Roberto Mancini to offer him a full debut against Bolton.
Meanwhile, Bolton’s bid to take City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips has hit a major hitch. Paris St Germain are believed to have overtaken Wanderers as favourites for his signature.
The French club are thought to have offered the England star close to his £60,000-a-week wages. Wigan and Stoke are also prepared to offer more than Wanderers.
Indeed, Bolton manager Owen Coyle was at pains to point out last week that he wouldn’t break the club’s wage structure to sign Wright-Phillips. However, he has
been linked with a loan move for Blues defender Nedum Onuoha.
Coyle’s chief target now appears to be Liverpool’s David N’Gog with an offer of £4m being made for the French born striker.
Coyle is also still keen on Rangers youngster Gregg Wylde after the Ibrox club turned down one bid last week.
Redknapp: Adebayor would be a Spurs hero
Tottenham seek former Arsenal striker on loan but City reluctant to subsidise his large wages
Harry Redknapp, the Tottenham Hotspur manager, declared yesterday that Emmanuel Adebayor's incendiary effect on Arsenal fans was one of the reasons why he wants him on loan at White Hart Lane, though Manchester City's reluctance to continue paying more than 10 per cent of the striker's salary means the move may be a hard-fought one.
City, who were very close to signing Arsenal's Samir Nasri last night, are expecting discussions with the Tottenham chairman, Daniel Levy, to go to the wire and will be reluctant to continue paying any more than the striker's image rights – 10 per cent of his wages – if he leaves. City's strategy has been to get unwanted players off their books this summer, rather than send them on loan, but there are no other takers for Adebayor.
Redknapp yesterday revealed his desire to take the 27-year-old. "Arsenal fans hate him so Tottenham fans will love him," he said. "He's got an advantage by upsetting them. He'll be a hero. If he comes and his head's on, he can be fantastic. It's a loan deal anyway, so you can't go wrong. He was fantastic against us for Real Madrid [last season], we couldn't handle him. If he's at it and really wants to play then he could be sensational."
Redknapp, whose side start their campaign tonight with a Europa League trip to Hearts, revealed an intriguing personal attachment between himself and Adebayor, dating back to his support for the striker after he controversially taunted Arsenal fans who had subjected him to abuse at City's ground in September 2009. "He rang me after I stuck up for him," Redknapp said. "I said he shouldn't have run to the fans but they were giving him almighty abuse all game. What are you supposed to do? You stick it up them, which is what he did."
City, who are willing to allow young Belgian defender Dedryck Boyata to go to Blackburn to gain a season's loan experience, expect other Premier League clubs to take discussions on outgoing players to deadline day, because of a perception that they will be desperate to release them. But despite the £22m outlay on Nasri – who is likely to be a City player by the weekend – City can afford to wait for the right offer on Adebayor and have him sitting in the stands if necessary, without jeopardising their chances of complying with Uefa's Financial Fair Play break-even rules. Under Annex XI of the FFP rules, the wages of any player whose contract was signed before June 2010 does not initially count towards the profit or loss figure which Uefa will take into account when considering if a club is eligible to play in Europe. Adebayor, Craig Bellamy and Wayne Bridge all fall within that category.
That said, Adebayor's desperation to leave – he refused to train when the players started pre-season training – means that City are ready to consider all options when it comes to seeing the player leave for north London.
Carlos Tevez is also no nearer to leaving the club. "It's hard. I do not think we'll get him," the Internazionale president Massimo Moratti said yesterday. City have still only received contact from the Brazilian club Corinthians about Tevez this summer.
Redknapp, exerting subtle pressure on Levy, said Gareth Bale and Rafael van der Vaart were waiting to see who arrives at the club before deciding on their long-term futures at White Hart Lane. He seemed to be suggesting that it was difficult to decide whether to go into the transfer market to bolster defence and midfield or to repel Chelsea's interest in Luka Modric. "They're your options – get the money and get four players and have a better team in all honesty," Redknapp said. "Or keep Luka who is a fantastic player."
Everton, Blackburn and QPR bid for Nedum Onuoha
Onuoha has won 21 caps for the England Under-21s Everton, Blackburn and QPR have made bids to sign Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha, according to his representative Kia Joorabchian.
The 24-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Sunderland, is not in City manager Roberto Mancini's plans.
"I'm not surprised at this level of interest, because Nedum has proven that he's a very good player," Joorabchian told BBC Sport.
Onuoha came through City's academy and has played 94 games for the club.
The centre-back has won 21 caps for England Under-21 and played 31 games on loan for Sunderland last season.
However, he is behind Vincent Kompany, Kolo Toure, Joleon Lescott and even Dedryck Boyata in the reckoning at City.
Everton manager David Moyes is keen to add another central defender to his squad, especially with Arsenal keen on England's Phil Jagielka.
Blackburn see Onuoha as a potential replacement for their captain Christopher Samba, who has also been linked with the Gunners.
And QPR boss Neil Warnock is likely to have new funds at his disposal with investment from Malaysian entrepreneur Tony Fernandes, who is likely to become the club's majority shareholder.
RESULTS FACT OF THE DAY BOLLOX
Onuoha got three A grades in his A-Levels
NEWCASTLE MUST PAY PRICE FOR MANCHESTER CITY DEFENDER
Newcastle have been told by Manchester City that they need to stump up around £2million to take Wayne Bridge on loan.
The former England defender, signed for £12million from Chelsea in 2009, is not in City manager Roberto Mancini's first-team plans but City still wants a fee for any short-term deal.
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is desperate to sign a left-back and would also have to pay half of Bridge's £90,000-a-week wages.
The Toon have also been told they must up their offer if they want to land Aly Cissokho. The Lyon left-back has put in a transfer request after Newcastle's latest offer of £7million was rejected.
And Sochaux frontman Modibo Maiga has gone on strike to try to seal a £7m move to St James' Park.
He said: "The club is refusing to talk. It feels like a slap in the face. I want to leave."
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]OTHER BOLLOX
Chelsea have had a £22m bid for Valencia winger Juan Mata rejected by the Spanish club. Daily Mail
Chelsea are also in negotiations with Porto to sign midfielder Joao Moutinho and defender Alvaro Pereira. Daily Telegraph
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has admitted for the first time that midfielder Luka Modric, a target of Chelsea, could be sold. Daily Mirror
West Bromwich Albion striker Peter Odemwingie has alerted Arsenal and Tottenham to his availability by declaring he would only quit the Baggies for a "top club". Metro
Arsenal are holding meetings with Lazio striker Mauro Zarate, according to the player's agent and brother. talkSHIT
Manchester United have switched their attention to £20m rated Borussia Dortmund midfielder Mario Goetze after becoming frustrated in their attempt to sign Inter Milan's playmaker Wesley Sneijder. Daily Express
Sir Alex Ferguson would rather sell reserve striker Mame Biram Diouf than loan him out again, after he spent last season at Blackburn Rovers. Fulham and Everton are interested but the £6m asking price is putting them off. Daily Mirror
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish is to offer £10m plus striker David Ngog and striker Raheem Sterling on loan to clinch the signature of Bolton defender Gary Cahill. The Sun
Liverpool are also said to be lining up a £13m bid for Stoke central defender Ryan Shawcross. Daily Express
Fulham boss Martin Jol has made a £1.4m bid for Porto defender Miguel Lopes. The Sun
West Ham are looking to sell midfielder Scott Parker and striker Carlton Cole to QPR and Fulham respectively. Daily Mirror
Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere is set to miss the Gunners' crucial Champions League qualifying play-off second leg at Udinese next Wednesday with the ankle injury he suffered in pre-season. Daily Mail
Birmingham defender Scott Dann could jeopardise a switch to Arsenal if he plays for the Blues in the Europa League tonight. Dann would then be ineligible to appear for Arsenal in the Champions League group stages should they qualify. The Sun
England Under-21 boss Stuart Pearce is considering a call-up for new Arsenal signing Carl Jenkinson. The 19-year-old full-back has played for Finland at Under-19 and Under-21 level but he can still be selected by England provided he does not make a Finland senior appearance. Daily Mail
Bees sweat on Shaleum Logan bollox
Shaleum Logan has been sent for a scan this morning to discover the extent of his ankle injury.
The former Manchester City full-back left St James' Park wearing a protective boot after falling awkwardly in the opening stages of Tuesday night's 2-1 win against Exeter.
Logan played through the pain barrier as the visitors held on for a hard-fought victory, but could miss the London derby with Leyton Orient at the weekend.
Boss Uwe Rosler said: "He's doubtful for Saturday."
PAPER ROUND UP BOLLOX
Harry Redknapp has admitted for the first time that Tottenham could sell Chelsea target Luka Modric this summer.
Samir Nasri is on the verge of completing a £22million move from Arsenal to Manchester City.
Harry Redknapp believes Manchester City's Emmanuel Adebayor could be a "sensational" signing for Tottenham.
Manchester City misfit Roque Santa Cruz is being lined up for a shock switch to Leeds United.
West Ham are hoping to offload Scott Parker to QPR and Carlton Cole to Fulham.
Leicester target Jermaine Beckford wants to stay at Everton.
Manchester United want £6million for striker Mame Biram Diouf.
Luka Modric to sign for in Summer 2011 Transfer Window - Join By End Of Summer Transfer Window: Chelsea 4/9
Harry Redknapp says Emmanuel Adebayor can be a hit at Tottenham - because Arsenal fans hate him.
Manchester City hope to seal a £22million move for Samir Nasri inside 24 hours.
Wesley Sneijder will have to go to war with Inter Milan to secure his move to Manchester United.
Tony Fernandes will clinch his QPR takeover on Thursday.
Harry Redknapp wants the Luka Modric saga resolved now, and fears the midfielder could leave.
Liverpool are lining up a cash-plus-players deal for Bolton defender Gary Cahill.
Stoke have told Liverpool they have no chance of signing Ryan Shawcross.
Injury-ravaged Leeds are lining up a move for Roque Santa Cruz.
Wolves are tracking in-form Middlesbrough front man Marvin Emnes.
Harry Redknapp claims Tottenham will be better off without Luka Modric.
Wesley Sneijder will have to hand in a transfer request at Inter Milan if he wants to get his move to Manchester United.
Arsenal are back in for Werder Bremen's Germany defender Per Mertesacker.
Arsenal's injury problems are mounting, with Jack Wilshere ruled out of next week's return against Udinese in the Champions League.
Harry Redknapp says Spurs may have to sell Luka Modric to fund a "better team".
Chelsea have had a £22million bid for Juan Mata rejected by Valencia.
Arsenal are set to revive their interest in Per Mertesacker.
QPR and PSG have joined the race for Manchester City's Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Fulham are ready to offer £1.4million for Porto right-back Miguel Lopes.
West Brom striker Peter Odemwingie is hoping Arsenal rekindle their interest in him.
Jack Wilshere has added to Arsene Wenger's misery after it emerged he could miss the three games that will shape Arsenal's season.
Harry Redknapp wants any deal for Luka Modric wrapped up quickly - so he can bring in replacements.
Chelsea are preparing a £25million move for Valencia winger Juan Mata.
Tottenham will clinch the loan signing of Emmanuel Adebayor on Thursday.
Harry Redknapp has admitted he would be able to "add four players and have a better team" if Tottenham sanctioned the sale of Luka Modric to Chelsea.
Chelsea were in negotiations with Porto on Wednesday night to sign Joao Moutinho and Alvaro Pereira.
Theo Walcott has called on Arsene Wenger to bring experienced players to Arsenal as the manager faced up to more turmoil in what has become one of the most difficult periods of his career.
Carlos Bocanegra hopes to make a dramatic debut for Rangers against Maribor on Thursday night.
Fraser Forster could start for Celtic in their Europa League clash with FC Sion.
CARL'S CASINO BOLLOX
Manchester City in Mansion deal
Manchester City FC has announced a deal with Gibraltar-based gambling and entertainment business Mansion Group as its new international betting partner.
The pair have a variety of commercial activities planned, including pushing the Manchester City brand in Asia.
Ian Cafferky, City’s chief brand and commercial officer, said: "Manchester City has huge ambitions and an ever growing international fan base, which makes Asia a key market for the club."
Mansion specialises in online sports and casino betting.
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QUOTE OF THE BOLLOX
"You cannot pretend you are a big club. A big club holds onto its big players and gives a message out to all the other big clubs that they just cannot come in and take [players] away from you. You cannot convince people you are ambitious after that."
Bobby's bollox - on Aguero
Yes, I saw City. I watch all the football.
"The new lad's played really well. He'll be a hero.
"He is a class act and Manchester City have the wherewithal to get all the best players.
"But we shall see - it is getting exciting."
