Kompany set to extend City deal
Vincent Kompany has reportedly told Manchester City that he will sign a new four-year contract within weeks. Vincent Kompany has reportedly told Manchester City that he will sign a new four-year contract within weeks.
The playe's advisers have reached an agreement on a package that will double his pay to around 130,000 pounds a week and run until 2016, according to Goal.com.
Kompany was approached by City to begin informal talks on a new deal last summer but asked for them to be put on the backburner so he could concentrate on leading the club's title bid.
It is understood that the two parties have sat down at the negotiating table in recent weeks and have come to an agreement that will elevate the 25-year-old into the second tier of City earners, behind top bracket trio Yaya Toure, Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero.
David Silva will open contract talks with City next month, with the Premier League leaders ready to make him the fourth 200,000-pound-a-week player at the club.
Skipper Kompany will be below the elite quartet but he has indicated that he is ready to commit his peak years to the club he joined from Bundesliga side Hamburg in 2008 for what is now considered a bargain six millions pounds.
The package is set to be rubber-stamped in a further round of talks over the coming weeks. Both the player and the club expect the contract to be signed by the end of the season.
City recognise how important it is to reward the Belgian defender, who has two years remaining on his current contract. Kompany has matured into one of the outstanding centre-backs in Europe during the last two seasons, with his recent absences through injury and suspension serving to highlight how influential he has become to the club.
The defender picked up a calf injury in City's 1-0 Europa League defeat to Sporting Lisbon on Thursday that Roberto Mancini has predicted will keep him out for up to two weeks.
The Premier League leaders will turn their attention to midfielder Nigel de Jong when Kompany's long-term future is secured.
The Dutch midfielder, who has lost his regular starting place this season, will have just 12 months remaining on his deal in July.
Talks collapsed last summer over new terms and both Inter and Juventus are closely monitoring De Jong's situation, with a view to a 12-million-pound summer swoop.
Barcelona eye move for Manchester City's Aleksandar Kolarov
Manchester City left-back Aleksandar Kolarov has emerged as a shock €15million summer transfer target for Spanish and European champions Barcelona.
Pep Guardiola is understood to have been impressed with the Serbian international’s physical presence and attacking threat and is said to be considering a bid.
The Catalan giants reportedly have upwards of €50m to spend this summer and are also interested in Valencia left-back Jordi Alba, AC Milan centre-half Thiago Silva and Santos’ young sensation Neymar.
Kolarov, 26, was signed last summer from Serie A side Lazio for £20million and has battled for a starting spot all season with French international Gael Clichy.
To date Kolarov has racked up 28 appearances for the Abu-Dhabi owned club, scoring three times. Valencia’s Spanish international Jordi Alba is also under consideration as Guardiola looks to replace Brazilian Maxwell, who departed for Qatari-backed Paris St Germain in January’s transfer window.
Newcastle United in move for Sweden striker John Guidetti
NEWCASTLE United are interested in Sweden striker John Guidetti – if Manchester City decide they don’t want the scoring sensation.
The 19-year-old has been in phenomenal form during a loan spell at Feyenoord, notching 18 goals in 16 games to catch the eye of some of the world’s best teams.
And United – who will release Peter Lovenkrands and may sell Leon Best this summer – want to be kept abreast of his availability as they look to build a squad capable of challenging for Europe EVERY year.
Sunderland are also understood to be interested, but Guidetti wouldn’t be short on suitors if City decide that they don’t want him anymore.
The teenager faces a big challenge to get into the City team with their vast array of strikers – and Roberto Mancini has already said he wants Robin van Persie in the summer.
Guidetti wants to play regularly next year, and he said: “The question is very simple.
“I want to play and if in Manchester they see me as the fourth or fifth choice, then I would rather go to a club where I can play.
Robin van Persie 'offered £10.9m-a-year salary by Manchester City'
Robin van Persie can expect a £10.9million-a-year salary if he leaves Arsenal for Manchester City, according to a report.
City boss Roberto Mancini has made no secret of his desire to land the Dutchman in the summer transfer window and it now seems the Etihad Stadium board shares that aim.
They have offered Van Persie a contract worth £210,000 a week to tempt him to leave the Gunners, reports the Sunday Times.
The deal would see the 28-year-old become the highest paid player in the Premier League, once the Citizens manage to offload Carlos Tevez.
It is believed Van Persie's representatives have signalled the terms would be acceptable, but that does not necessarily mean he will join the exodus from Arsenal to City.
His current contract at the Emirates Stadium is scheduled to expire in 2013 and talks about an extension are expected to take place over the summer.
Arsene Wenger has made it clear he will resist any moves to sell his captain, even if the striker refuses to sign a new deal.
The Gunners boss said: 'We will not lose anybody to Manchester City, or to anybody else, because we want to keep our players.
'We want to keep Robin Van Persie, that is clear, we will do everything possible to extend his contract, that is clear, and apart from that, I can only let people talk.'
£27m Dzeko fighting to save his City future
Edin Dzeko is facing a fight to save his future at Manchester City.
The £27million Bosnian marksman has failed to deliver consistently.
This is despite an impressive strike-rate of 24 goals in 56 appearances since arriving from Wolfsburg just 14 months ago. Dzeko himself is unhappy that he has been unable to secure a regular start in Roberto Mancini’s team this season, with 11 of his 35 appearances coming as a substitute.
That has alerted a number of clubs to his possible availability in the summer – with Inter Milan following Juventus in registering an interest in the 25-year-old. And unless performances improve, City are likely to welcome his departure if they can recoup most of the cash they paid Wolfsburg.
Mancini now regards Sergio Aguero and Mario Balotelli as his most reliable forwards – even though Dzeko has scored 18 times this season.
And with Carlos Tevez also set to come back into the first-team fold, Dzeko could even find himself as the fourth-choice option.
He was unhappy at being subbed as City lost the first leg of their Europa League clash with Sporting Lisbon 1-0 on Thursday night.
But Dzeko was the worst performer in a below-par City display that only came to life when Balotelli entered the fray. As exclusively revealed by Sunday Mirror Sport in November, City have made Robin van Persie their No.1 summer target.
And with Swedish youngster John Gudetti scheduled to return to the club after a successful loan spell at Feyenoord this season, both Dzeko and Tevez are likely to be sold.
Manchester City are also set to launch a bid for Real Madrid's 24-year-old striker Gonzalo Higuain. Manager Roberto Mancini wants the £35m-rated Argentinian as part of a new-look front line that also includes van Persie. the People
Gonzalo Higuain's Real Madrid exit looms as Man City and Chelsea wait
Manchester City and Chelsea will go head to head in a race to sign Argentina international Gonzalo Higuain if he leaves Real Madrid this summer.
Both clubs are known to be keen to boost their attacking options and the former River Plate hitman fits the bill.
Higuain could walk out on Real Madrid this summer, says Jorge Valdano (Getty)
He faces competition for his place at the Bernabeu from the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema and the exit door appears to be looming.
At least, that is in the opinion of former Real general manager Jorge Valdano, who is quoted by Tribal Football as telling Cadena SER that he believes the Spanish giants may be pushing Higuain out.
Valdano said he believes the Argentine could walk away at the end of the season. 'Higuain is an outstanding striker and goalscorer [but] you cannot permanently doubt him because the player may end up getting tired [of it],' he explained.
Both City and Chelsea have registered an interest in the striker previously, although they were rebuffed by Real boss Jose Mourinho.
However, if Valdano is to be believed, a deal could be on the cards if they return this summer. Chelsea, in particular, are looking to boost a strikeforce that includes misfiring Fernando Torres and the ageing Didier Drogba
OTHER BOLLOX
Aston Villa have become the first Premier League club to try to snap up ex-Rangers winger Gregg Wylde, 20, who agreed to leave the financially-stricken SPL club this week. And they could soon be joined in the race by Bolton Wanderers.
Chelsea could be beaten by Barcelona in the battle for Valencia defender Jordi Alba. The uncertainty over the Blues' managerial position could persuade the 22-year-old to remain in Spain. talkShite
Blackburn boss Steve Kean is hopeful of adding former Netherlands midfielder Bolo Zenden, 35, to his squad for the end-of-season run-in. Mail
Tottenham have joined Arsenal and Liverpool in the race to land Werder Bremen's 22-year-old midfielder Marko Marin, according to German media reports. Footylatest
Borussia Dortmund playmaker Shinji Kagawa, 22 is likely to disappoint Liverpool and Manchester United by signing a new deal with the German club. talkShite
Jose Mourinho, who has been linked with a return to Chelsea in the wake of Andre Villas-Boas's dismissal, has promised to stay on as manager at Real Madrid. Mail
Athletic Bilbao coach Marcelo Bielsa, who guided the La Liga side to a famous victory over Manchester United on Thursday, has rejected two approaches from Roman Abramovich's staff over the Chelsea vacancy - because he will only talk to the owner himself. Daily Mirror
Germany coach Joachim Loew has refused to be drawn on speculation that he is Chelsea's top managerial target, saying he is focused on anything Euro 2012. Inside Futbol
United goalkeeper David de Gea has accused his team-mates of "falling asleep" during their shock Europa League defeat by Athletic Bilbao. Mail
Cesc Fabregas, the former Arsenal captain who moved to Barcelona in August 2011, has backed manager Arsene Wenger to return the Gunners to the top of the English game. "I am sure he will find the means to bring Arsenal back to where they belong," he said. Guardian
Harry Redknapp's son Jamie, the former England midfielder turned television pundit, is worried about his dad becoming England manager because of the stress and pressure of the job. Mirror
West Brom boss Roy Hodgson will only extend his contract at the Hawthorns once it expires in June if he is assured there are funds to spend on strengthening his squad. Telegraph
Former Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, 42, could be heading for a third Arsenal spell after being offered a temporary coaching role at Emirates Stadium. Daily Mail
Stoke winger Jermaine Pennant has used his Twitter account to angrily deny he had been fined by manager Tony Pulis after claims he had broken club rules. Stoke Sentinel
QPR owner Tony Fernandes insists he will stand by the club and continue with plans for a new stadium, training ground and academy, even if they lose their fight against relegation from the Premier League. Express
Real Madrid winger Cristiano Ronaldo abandoned his £200,000 black Lamborghini on the streets of Madrid - after it broke down. Metro
Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has vowed to keep growing his beard until his club win the Premier League or Spain win the London 2012 Olympic football tournament. the Sun
Blackpool's players were almost locked out of their team hotel rooms ahead of today's match against Peterbrough after the club's corporate credit card was turned down by the reception desk. Daily Mail
Arsenal are preparing a £25m bid which, if successful, would make Borussia Dortmund's 19-year-old attacker Mario Gotze the most expensive signing in the club's history. Mail on Sunday
Arsenal are also set to snatch Ajax's £10m-rated centre-back Jan Vertonghen, 24, from under Tottenham's noses. Sunday Mirror
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson attended Lille's match away to Lyon on Saturday evening, sparking suggestions that he is about to challenge Tottenham and Arsenal in the race for the visitors' 21-year-old attacker Eden Hazard. 101 Great Goals
Bundesliga club Hannover are ready to offer Sunderland's on-loan Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner a chance to kickstart his career with a £4m move to Germany this summer. Sunday Mirror
Liverpool are keeping an eye on Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jakub Blaszczykowski with a view to making a concrete offer for the Poland international in the summer. Footy Latest
Chelsea's interim manager Roberto di Matteo has called in senior players to iron out any differences that may exist in the wake of Andre Villas-Boas's sacking. Mail on Sunday
Terry Connor's caretaker spell in charge of Wolves could be over after just three games with club owner Steve Morgan keen to install a younger man such as Crystal Palace's Dougie Freedman or Brighton's Gus Poyet. the People
Owen Coyle has vowed not to gamble on the fitness of South Korea international Chung-Yong Lee during Bolton's fight against Premier League relegation. Bolton News
West Bromwich Albion boss Roy Hodgson has dropped the biggest hint yet that he wants to stay at the Hawthorns, amid speculation linking him with the vacant England role. Express and Star
Manager Alan Pardew has challenged Newcastle to show their Champions League credentials by beating Arsenal on Monday. Newcastle Chronicle
Jack Wilshere has posted a video of his six-month-old son Archie on the internet, in which the youngster shows off some impressive ball skills. Metro
Arsenal striker Gervinho could have been playing for, rather than against, Newcastle on Monday evening. The then Lille attacker started sending text messages during a contract meeting with the Magpies last summer, convincing club officials that the deal was a bad idea. the People
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