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Nedum Onuoha's QPR transfer in doubt as Everton also make a move
Nedum Onuoha's £3million transfer from Manchester City to QPR is in doubt after Everton expressed an interest in the defender.
Hoops boss Mark Hughes said at the weekend he expected to make at least one new signing on Monday and it was thought the Onuoha deal was the closest to completion.
However, the 25-year-old, who is not part of Roberto Mancini's plans at the Etihad Stadium, has now been given another option.
Everton boss David Moyes has registered his interest and a move to Goodison Park is likely to prove attractive to the player, reports Onuoha, who spent last season on loan at Sunderland, is said to be keen to stay in the north-west, even though he could expect a larger salary at Loftus Road.
QPR are working on a host of other deals, as Hughes looks to build a squad capable of avoiding relegation.
Chelsea centre-back Alex, Spurs midfielder Steven Pienaar, Fulham striker Bobby Zamora and Birmingham goalkeeper Ben Foster, who is currently on loan at West Brom, are among the Welshman's targets.
ACN
Yaya and Kolo Toure began the Africa Cup of Nations with a narrow 1-0 win over Sudan.
The Ivory Coast's victory came courtesy of Didier Drogba's 39th-minute goal and though The Elephants are favourites to win the tournament, this was an uninspiring victory.
Kolo and Yaya both played the full 90 minutes against Sudan and face Burkina Faso in the next Group B match on Thursday. mcfc.co.uk
Balotelli could yet face an FA ban after appearing to stamp on Parker By Graham Poll
Mario Balotelli gave Howard Webb his easiest and hardest decisions of a great game on Sunday and the referee appeared perfectly placed for both.
The easiest was the awarding of the stoppage-time penalty after Ledley King clearly fouled the City striker.
However, many thought that Balotelli was lucky to be on the field to convert the spot-kick after a clash with Scott Parker.
There was clearly an initial accidental contact with Parker but as Balotelli landed, his right foot came back and caught Parker in the face.
Referees have to decide if the contact was deliberate and usually consider whether contact would have been avoided if the player on the ground had been a team-mate.
Replays were not definitive; Balotelli probably could have avoided that second contact but they also show that Webb might have looked away at the crucial moment.
If he did, which would have been a basic error for a referee with his experience, then the FA could ask Webb what he would have done had he seen the clash and Balotelli could be suspended again.
It is often said that the best referees are those who are not noticed, so massive credit to Mike Dean for his handling of the ‘8-2 revenge game’ at the Emirates Stadium.
He could have sent Alex Song off for his leading-arm challenge on Wayne Rooney or dismissed players from either side, Aaron Ramsey or Rafael Da Silva, but he delivered consistency with a good degree of common sense and should be noticed for such a mature performance.
[spoiler]Lisa Snowdon, model and TV and radio presenter has been romantically linked with QPR forward Jay Bothroyd, but that’s not important right now....
[/spoiler]OTHER BOLLOX
Television cameras captured Arsenal's Robin van Persie voicing his disbelief at Arsene Wenger's decision to sub winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the Gunners' 2-1 home defeat to Manchester United. The Guardian
Former West Ham team-mates Nigel Reo-Coker and Craig Bellamy reignited their feud during Bolton's win over Liverpool at the Reebok. Reo-Coker, whose ability was mocked by Bellamy when they played at Upton Park, announced he has "no respect" for the Welshman. The Sun
Tottenham have placed a £150m price tag on Wales international Gareth Bale, 22. Mirror
Spurs midfielder Luka Modric, 26, is Manchester United's top summer transfer target with the Red Devils eyeing up a £50m move.
Belgian defender Jan Vertonghen, 24, has alerted Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United that Ajax may be planning to sell him in the summer transfer window. Metro
Liverpool are set to make an £8m bid for Real Madrid midfielder Esteban Granero, 24. Caught Offside
Roma have lined up a loan move for Tottenham defender Verdan Corluka, 25. Mirror
Catania striker Maxi Lopez, 27, is reported to have agreed terms for a transfer to Fulham, but AC Milan are hoping to hijack the deal. Metro
Lazio have joined Manchester United and Liverpool in the chase for Sporting Lisbon striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel, 22.
Mirror
Stoke boss Tony Pulis has told striker Kenwyne Jones, 27, to forget about a £5m move to Saudi side Al-Hilal. Express
Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill has conceded that the club are taking a calculated gamble in allowing goalkeeper Craig Gordon's contract to run down. The Scotland international, 29, who joined from Hearts in 2007 for £9m but has suffered numerous injuries, could be dispatched on loan to a Championship club to build fitness. Times
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has blocked QPR's move for Croatian midfielder Niko Kranjcar, 27. Sun
Newcastle's hopes of landing James Tomkins, 22, for £4m are over after the defender signed a four-year contract extension at West Ham. People
Manchester United are in talks to sign Crystal Palace defender Nathaniel Clyne, 20, for £3m. Manchester Evening News
Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish has hailed Robbie Keane's stunning two-goal display at Wolves and admitted he wants to sign the striker, 31, who is on loan from LA Galaxy, on a long-term deal. Sunday Express
Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has threatened to get rid of his underperforming stars after they suffered a humiliating defeat at Bolton. Mail
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew wants Danny Guthrie, 24, and Fabricio Coloccini, 29, to sign contract extensions. Mirror
Former Bolton manager Sammy Lee, 52, is ready to make a surprise return to Wanderers as youth-team coach in what will be his fourth job at the club. People
Stoke trio Peter Crouch, Matthew Etherington and Matthew Upson have been sounded out over the possibility of representing Great Britain at this summer's Olympic Games.Stoke Sentinel
The early kick-off between Norwich and Chelsea on Saturday was a unique Premier League game, after the entire first half passed without a single foul. Metro
Chelsea have been told that Shakhtar Donetsk's Brazilian midfielder Willian, for whom they have already made a reported bid of £20m, will be available for £28m. Mail
Bolton are hopeful of signing 27-year-old forward Ismael Bangoura from Arab side Al Nasr. The Trotters are seeking to rush through a work permit for Bangoura, who has previously played for Dinamo Kiev and Rennes and is currently involved in the Africa Cup of Nations with Equatorial Guinea. Mirror
Manchester United are thought to be ready to enter the race for Brazil striker Leandro Damiao, the subject of a £15m bid from Tottenham last summer, who is valued at £24m by his club Internacional. Mail
West Brom have attempted to ward off interest from Fulham and West Ham by putting an £8m price tag on winger Peter Odemwingie.Mirror
Swansea midfielder Joe Allen has emerged as a surprise target for Tottenham, after impressing in the Welsh side's maiden Premier League camapign. Metro
Lyon have expressed an interest in Tottenham's versatile defender Vedran Corluka, who is also wanted by Roma. Mirror
Everton are reportedly keen to take 24-year-old Fiorentina winger Alessio Cerci on loan with a view to a permanent move. Inside Futbol
Out-of-favour Spurs midfielder Steven Pienaar is rumoured to be angered and seeking talks after the Londoners valued him at £6m, which could dissuade QPR from making a bid. Mail
QPR captain Joey Barton may have upset former manager Neil Warnock but the Loftus Road faithful have afforded him a new song to celebrate his Twitter antics entitled: "He tweets what he wants." Metro
more bollox soon ...
