Wesley Sneijder has urged Inter Milan to try and sign 'mad' Manchester City enforcer Nigel De Jong this summer, with the Dutch utility man currently contemplating quitting the Etihad Stadium.
De Jong has impressed in a variety of defensive positions since joining City from Hamburg in 2009, but he has struggled for match time in the last 12 months, and made just 14 league appearances last season.
City manager Roberto Mancini is said to be happy to offload the player, who has interest from Tottenham, Bayern Munich and Roma, with a decision on his future expected in the next few days.
De Jong has already had contact with some of the clubs over a move, but his Dutch compatriot Sneijder is leading the charge for Inter to try and pinch the player at the last minute.
'Inter must sign De Jong,' Sneidjer told the Italian media.
'He's football mad! I know him well and he would be fit in here.'
Sneijder was speaking amid intense speculation in Italy that Inter are ready to try and bring De Jong to the San Siro on a season-loan long, with the option to buy.
De Jong still has two and a half years left to run and his City contract, and Mancini won't consider selling the player for less than £8 million.
Vincent Kompany wants to get his hands on the Premier League trophy again
VINCENT KOMPANY has challenged his Manchester City team-mates to start the new season as they finished the last one – by winning a trophy.
Champions City face Chelsea in the Community Shield at Villa Park on Sunday.
Kompany said: “We have laid foundations and now we want to win more.
“Now is the time to build the culture of winning. If we do that then we can be one of the most successful clubs for a long time.”
Virus could end Guidetti's hopes of loan move to Sunderland
John Guidetti's proposed loan to Sunderland is in doubt as the Manchester City striker is still struggling to shake off a virus that cost him his place with Sweden at the European Championships.
The 20-year-old has been out since April. Blackburn were also keen. Juventus are hopeful of signing City's Aleksander Kolarov for £6m. Sportsmail Reporter
ON THIS DAY (OFFICIAL BOLLOX)
Looking back through the history books for the events, signings and memorable matches that happened on this day in City’s history.
Saturday 10th August 1968
Defending league champions City are beaten 2-1 at Liverpool in front of 51,236 Anfield fans. Neil Young’s goal is not enough to stop Bill Shankly’s team taking both points and is the start of a terrible opening run on the road that sees Joe Mercer’s side pick up just one point from their first five games.
Saturday 10th August 2003
City officially open the City of Manchester Stadium with a showpiece friendly with Barcelona. Fire safety regulations meant the capacity crowd of 36,518 was 12,000 less than the Blues’ new home could hold but Kevin Keegan’s side ensure life at Eastlands begins on a positive note with a 2-1 win courtesy of goals from Nicolas Anelka and Trevor Sinclair. Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho is bemused by the City fans’ continual chanting of his name – he had just snubbed a move to Manchester United days earlier!
Tuesday 10th August 2010
Mario Balotelli makes his international debut for Italy against the Ivory Coast in a friendly game which they lose 1-0. Balotelli’s first season with City suggests he will enjoy a long international career, though it’s not without moments of controversy!
'THE FEAR' IS BACK
Fergie relishes bid to knock City off
When Manchester City 'dethroned' United reign as champion, Sir Alex Ferguson's expression perfectly captured his frustration.
While Ferguson has savoured countless triumphs during his glittering 26-year reign at Old Trafford, the United manager has also been forced to endure his share of painful failures.
The 70-year-old still recalls with bitterness the time in 1992 when Liverpool's fans gleefully taunted United after a victory at Anfield that ended his side's title challenge.
Then there was Sylvain Wiltord's goal for Arsenal at Old Trafford which clinched the title at United's expense in 2002 and, three years later, the indignity of giving newly-crowned champion Chelsea a guard of honour onto the pitch.
But even taking into consideration those letdowns, surrendering the Premier League title to City with almost the final kick of the season must rank as one of the most agonising moments of Ferguson's career.
For just a few seconds on that May day in Sunderland, Ferguson thought United's 1-0 win was enough to secure the club's 20th league title.
Just as he was about to embark on a triumphant jig towards United's travelling supporters, he learned that City had scored twice in stoppage time against QPR to win the league on goal difference.
It was an agonising near-miss guaranteed to stick in Ferguson's throat given the volatile nature of his relationship with United's "noisy neighbours" from across Manchester.
Inevitably for a man raised in the tough Glasgow district of Govan, such blows to his ego bring out the street-fighter in Ferguson, driving him to extract the maximum revenge by vanquishing his latest rival.
In the past he has risen to the challenge of ending Liverpool's lengthy run as king of English football and also seen off uprisings from Arsenal and Chelsea.
City will get the same treatment. Ferguson's respect for the quality at Mancini's disposal is clear, but there is no chance he will be cowed by the threat of City taking United's role as England's dominant force.
"When Arsenal won the title from us in 1998 we won the Treble the next year," Ferguson said.
"Then Chelsea came along and got off to a flyer in the league for the first two years, so we changed our pre-season a little to make sure we got off to quick starts.
"Recovery is so important and the same applies this season. After the disappointment of last year, we want to recover the title.
"We either win the title or come second, it's an important part of the history of our club over the last 20 years.
"We have to recover, as we've done many times. That's our target this year. Priority number one is to win the title back."
For United to fulfill Ferguson's desire for revenge, there must be more bite about the team.
Ferguson's side finished without a trophy for the first time since 2005 in large part because a spineless midfield was over-run in a manner that would have been unthinkable during the heyday of Roy Keane, Paul Ince and Nicky Butt.
WAYNE ROONEY: MANCHESTER CITY ARE GOING TO CRUMBLE
WAYNE ROONEY reckons Manchester City could crack under the pressure of defending their title.
The Blues are still celebrating after beating Manchester United on goal difference to become champions.
Roberto Mancini’s men will start the new campaign as firm favourites to defend their crown.
But Rooney has warned the heat will be on them to succeed again – a situation United are used to.
He said: “It’ll be a different situation for them, something they’ve never experienced before.
“But we know all about when you’re trying to defend your trophy. “We know that over the years everyone has tried to raise their game when they play Manchester United.
“City being champions, they’ll have to face that now obviously. Sometimes it can be more difficult.
“We know how hard you have to work to try and win it back but hopefully, come the end of the season, we’ll have it back.
“City have got some great players and Chelsea have spent a lot of money, so it’ll be a close-run thing.”
United failed to win a trophy last season and Rooney insists Sir Alex Ferguson’s men are on a mission to put things right.
He added: “I’m excited, I feel good, I feel fresh and I’m looking forward to the new season. It’s a big season for us and we all need to be ready for it.
I’m not sure we need any more motivation, but to lose the title that way was difficult for us to take.
“But it’s a good chance for us now to bounce back from that.
“This is our chance to show everyone we are a good team and we’re capable of winning the league this season.
That’s obviously our aim.
“It’s a rare thing for Manchester United (not to win a trophy).
“But we felt we were unlucky in the league. We know we let ourselves down in Europe.
That’s something we’ve had to think about. I’m sure we’ll be a lot better this season.
“Our first aim will be to improve on last year and I think we can do that.
OLYMPIC FITTIE OF THE DAY - HOPE SOLO
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]OTHER BOLLOX
Luka Modric is being forced to train on his own at Tottenham's training ground, but Real Madrid could be cooling their interest in the 26-year-old Croatian midfielder. Daily Mirror
Manchester United chief executive David Gill is set for more negotiations with Arsenal this weekend over the possible transfer of striker Robin van Persie, 29. Daily Telegraph
Wesley Sneidjer wants to team up with Nigel De Jong on a permanent basis.
Chelsea are looking to sign Napoli centre-forward Edinson Cavani, 25, after Zenit St Petersburg made a move for 26-year-old Porto striker Hulk. Daily Star
Spurs hope to sign Inter Milan goalkeeper Julio Cesar, 32, on a free transfer. the Sun
However, the Italian club have asked that Spurs right-back Kyle Walker, 22, be included in part-exchange for the Brazil international. Times
Chelsea are looking at Juventus right-back Stephan Lichtsteiner, 28, after their move for 22-year-old Spanish defender Cesar Azpilicueta of Marseille stalled. Daily Mirror
Middlesbrough hope to finalise a loan move for Chelsea's 19-year-old midfielder Josh McEachran. Daily Mail
Celtic midfielder Ki Sung-Yeung, 23, is now a target for Atletico Madrid as well as Arsenal. talkShit
Caen striker M'Baye Niang, 17, is set to disappoint Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham by joining AC Milan on loan. Evening Standard
Birmingham have decided not to sign defender Lee Naylor, 32, after an unsuccessful trial period. Birmingham Mail
West Brom manager Steve Clarke hopes to add to his new club's defensive options during the remainder of the transfer window. Express & Star
John Terry, 31, is set to be left out of the England squad for the friendly against Italy as Roy Hodgson opts to name an experimental line-up. Guardian
The Premier League is exploring whether to introduce its own system of Financial Fair Play in an attempt to control spending on wages and transfer fees. Daily Express
Tottenham have confirmed midfielder Scott Parker, 31, is ruled out until mid-September after he underwent surgery on an Achilles injury. Independent
Aston Villa midfielder Marc Albrighton, 22, is expected to miss the first six to eight weeks of the season with a broken foot. Birmingham Mail
Everton fans fulfilled a long-standing promise to invade the pitch if stalwart Tony Hibbert, 31, ever scored a goal. The long serving defender, who has made 308 senior appearances for the Toffees, finally got onto the scoresheet in his testimonial match against AEK Athens. Metro
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