Enough is enough, we here at B*ll*x Towers have quite frankly been disgusted by the reporting of a certain newspaper of late. Sure most of the media tart up stories to make them interesting and more readable but there is always a grain of bollox that the twisted story has eminated from. The blatent making up of bollox to suit a particular reporters agenda however is not on and does the media at large no favors whatsoever. As from today only grain of truth bollox will be reported and ALL Ladyman SportMails Reporter Bollox will not be covered here. There's B*ll*x and there's Bollocks
PROPER BOLLOX
David Silva happy to let Manchester City sweat in his quest to gain parity with club's £200,000-a-week top earners
David Silva is holding out for a contract that would put him up alongside Manchester City’s £200,000-a-week top earners before committing to a new long-term deal at the Etihad Stadium.
City and the 26-year-old midfielder’s advisers have yet to reach an agreement on new terms, despite discussions between the two parties stretching back to June. Senior figures at City insisted that there were no concerns over Silva’s future and that they remained hopeful of a deal being struck to secure the Spain international to a long-term contract at the club.
But negotiations are now likely to continue into the new season following the failure to thrash out an agreement with Silva, who has excelled at City since arriving from Valencia in a £24 million transfer in June 2010.
Speaking after his involvement in Spain’s victorious Euro 2012 campaign, Silva suggested that discussions with City were close to reaching a conclusion, saying at the time: “My agents are negotiating a new deal with City and I think it’s likely we will close it in a very short time.”
Having signed a £130,000-a-week deal at City when he arrived from Valencia, however, Silva’s emergence as a key figure in Roberto Mancini’s team has left the player and his representatives looking to secure parity with the likes of Yaya Touré and Carlos Tévez.
City shelved contract talks with Dutch midfielder Nigel de Jong last summer because of a failure to meet the player’s wage demands, but it is understood that negotiations with Silva and his representatives will continue.
Silva, who has admitted he has struggled to adapt to the Mancunian climate, is open to extending his stay at the club, despite sources in Spain claiming that he has been identified by Barcelona as a long-term successor to 32-year-old playmaker Xavi.
Having adopted a policy of not opening contract negotiations during a season, and with Silva’s deal not expiring until June 2014, City are prepared to continue talks until they reach a successful conclusion.
Meanwhile, City are to send striker Sergio Agüero for a second scan on his right knee in an effort to discover the full extent of his injury suffered during Sunday’s Premier League victory against Southampton.
Agüero tweeted that he had escaped a “significant injury” to his knee on Sunday evening following a preliminary scan at a Manchester hospital.
City are optimistic that the player faces weeks rather than months on the sidelines. However, the club’s medical staff are waiting until the swelling subsides on the knee before sending the 24 year-old for a more definitive scan.
City hope to have Agüero available again following next month’s international break. Despite the potential loss of Agüero, last season’s leading scorer at the club, City captain Vincent Kompany insists that the squad are strong enough to cope in his absence.
“Any team which loses a player like Sergio will have to deal with a blow,” said Kompany. “But I remember last season that we had to miss out on Carlos Tévez for a long time and we managed to cope. I hope Sergio won’t be injured for long but I just go back to last season when we had to cope with these kinds of issues.”
City remain in the hunt for Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi, who has announced that he will hold a press conference in Rome this afternoon to clarify his future.
Mancini failed to lure De Rossi, who can also play at centre-half, to City in January, but attempts have been made to tempt the Italy international to the Etihad in recent days.
Roma’s £28 million asking price for the 29 year-old had proved prohibitive for City, but with interest in Liverpool’s Daniel Agger having subsided and Athletic Bilbao’s Javi Martínez edging close to an agreement with Bayern Munich, interest in De Rossi has resurfaced in the past week. Telegraph
Kompany - Tevez like new signing
The sight of Manchester City in the transfer market has been a rare occurrence this summer - but Blues skipper Vincent Kompany believes Carlos Tevez is just like a new signing.
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Tevez: One of the best strikers in the world, says Kompany
Related Content Football Transfer Centre The latest football news Follow us on Twitter After causing so many problems last term, Tevez seems to be a much more settled figure nowadays.
He even wandered to the touchline for a bit of advice from manager Roberto Mancini during Sunday's 3-2 win over newly-promoted Southampton, something unimaginable during the middle of that war of words which resulted in him spending a large chunk of last season away from City's Carrington training ground.
Now Tevez looks like the player who became such a Blues hero after his move from Manchester United in 2009.
And with City anxiously awaiting news on the extent of Sergio Aguero's knee injury, Tevez could be a crucial figure in the defence of the Premier League.
"Carlos is recognised by everyone as one of the best strikers in the world," said Kompany.
"People talk about new signings but having Carlos at his best level, which he wasn't last season because he was away for most of it, is just like one.
"I still say we have improved.
"If we were to lose Sergio, it would just go back to last season. Other players would have to step up and perform. They have always done that."
Kompany does not want to dismiss Aguero just yet, even though Mancini's body language immediately after Sunday's game suggested he expected bad news later this week.
That could force a renewed attempt to bring in additional firepower, although with UEFA's Financial Fair Play regulations to meet, City have an equal need to get rid of their unwanted high-earners, including Emmanuel Adebayor and Roque Santa Cruz.
Kolo Toure and Nigel de Jong are two others who seem surplus to requirements, although in the latter man's case, Gareth Barry's present injury problems may bar the exit door.
The one new face introduced by Mancini this summer is Jack Rodwell.
And though the former Everton man was at fault for Southampton's second goal on Sunday, considering he only signed for City seven days previously, and had been involved in just two training sessions with his new team-mates, Kompany believes there is every reason to be satisfied.
"Jack has settled in really well," said Kompany.
"His performance was ahead of what you would have expected from someone who just came in for his first game after two training sessions.
"Maybe it was the right moment to introduce him. In any event, it paid off.
"Now the tough games come and I am sure we will gain a lot from having him with us."
City face an even stiffer test next Sunday when they visit a Liverpool outfit smarting from that stunning defeat at West Brom on Saturday.
The Blues beat their Merseyside rivals just once in four attempts last term, and drew a testy affair at Anfield in November, when Mario Balotelli was sent off.
"Playing at Anfield has never been easy," said Kompany.
"They have always been very difficult, intense games.
"They will fancy their chances. But we fancy ours as well."
And, as Kompany outlined, City's attitude has changed with their champions tag.
Now they have additional self-belief, so even in tricky spots, like they encountered against Southampton, there is a certainty they will eventually come through.
"We are just doing what we did last season - try and win as many games as you can," he said.
"But the moment we went 2-1 down, we did all have a feeling that we weren't going to lose.
"Don't ask me how, we just felt we weren't going to lose. Then it just happened for us.
"I would have liked to be safe a bit earlier but it is great that we have that character."
Inter closing in on Nigel de Jong
The Dutchman will be allowed to leave the Premier League champions if a good offer comes in, with the Serie A giants favourites to sign the midfielder
Nigel de Jong is one step closer to leaving Manchester City for Inter as Roberto Mancini has given the Netherlands international the green light to move on, Goal.com can reveal.
The Nerazzurri already secured the services of Gaby Mudingayi from Bologna earlier this summer to add some steel to their midfield, but Andrea Stramaccioni is not impressed with the Belgian.
The Inter coach has therefore demanded the arrival of another holding midfielder, and the 2010 Champions League winners see De Jong as the perfect addition to their squad.
De Jong joined City from Hamburg in January 2009 and quickly became an important first-team member at the Premier League side.
However, he is no longer a certain starter under Mancini, and the Citizens are ready to cash in on the 27-year-old.
The Dutchman's contract with the Premier League champions is due to expire in the summer of 2013, and an offer in the region of €9 million could be enough to lure him away from City.
Inter playmaker Wesley Sneijder recently stated that De Jong would be a great signing for the Serie A giants, and the attacking midfielder has already been in touch with his compatriot to convince him that a move to Italy would be the right step.
The Nerazzurri face stiff competition in the race for De Jong's services, though, as AC Milan are closely monitoring his situation as well.
Even though Inter remain confident of getting their man, they have lined up Napoli's Walter Gargano as a possible alternative for De Jong, in case they miss out on the combative midfielder.
Liverpool now favourites to land Adam Johnson
Liverpool have emerged as favourites to sign Manchester City winger Adam Johnson before the transfer window closes at the end of this month.
Johnson is keen to leave the Etihad Stadium this summer in order to further his England credentials.
He missed out on the final squad for the European Championship and feels this was down to his lack of regular first-team action during City's Premier League title-winning season.
Sunderland, Spurs and Everton have all shown a serious interest and are ready to match City's £10m asking price, which would give the champions a £2m profit on the 25-year-old, who signed from Middlesbrough in 2010.
Back then Sunderland were also in the running for the North-East-born winger, but lost out to the spending power and lure of silverware at the Etihad.
The Wearsiders have the funds in place once again to sign Johnson, with Martin O'Neill eager to add the winger to his squad in this transfer window.
Swansea wing Scott Sinclair set for Manchester City move
Swansea City first-team coach Alan Curtis says that Scott Sinclair could soon be on his way to Manchester City.
The wing, 23, has told Swansea he will not sign a new contract and Curtis thinks the move will happen before the transfer window closes on 31 August.
"He's not really interested in signing a new contract and I think Man City have made a bid," Curtis said.
"So it's just a matter of time now before it happens and it's good for both parties."
Sinclair scored eight goals in the Premier League last season and 19 the season before as Swansea won promotion from the Championship via the play-offs.
The former Chelsea trainee's current deal runs out at the end of the season and he came on as a substitute in Swansea's 5-0 win at QPR on Saturday, scoring the fifth goal.
"He's been terrific for us, to be fair, we've had two seasons out of him and he was superb in the Championship and virtually his goals got us promotion," Curtis added.
"And last year as well he wasn't maybe quite as effective as he was his first year - obviously it was a lot tougher opposition - but he's been absolutely magnificent.
"Like Joe [Allen, who joined Liverpool] we wish him all the best, but as long as the club keeps pushing forward that's the main thing.
"It obviously gives Scott the chance to settle in at his new club and it gives us the opportunity to buy a replacement for Scott."BBC
SNUB COUNT BOLLOX: 431
Emmanuel Adebayor set for Tottenham switch
Emmanuel Adebayor is set to quit Manchester City for Tottenham Hotspur this week.
Spurs and City had previously broken off talks over Adebayor, who scored 17 goals while on loan at White Hart Lane last season, since his wage demands exceed the London club’s budget.
However it appears City are now willing to make a significant one-off contribution to compensate for the reduction in Adebayor’s future salary if Spurs meet the Premier League champions’ transfer-fee valuation. Telegraph
Everton boss David Moyes has been linked with loan moves for Manchester City trio Adam Johnson, John Guidetti and Dedryck Boyata.
City signed Jack Rodwell from Everton over the weekend for an undisclosed fee, believed to be between £12million and £15m, and the reigning champions have reportedly told the Goodison Park side they have the first option on a loan move for Johnson.
City boss Roberto Mancini had initially stated the 25-year-old would not be allowed to depart on loan earlier in the summer but the Italian's stance has since softened and it seems as if the former Middlesbrough winger could be set to join Everton on a season long loan-deal, despite interest from Liverpool and Sunderland.
It has also been speculated that Moyes could make loan moves for City pair Guidetti and Boyata.
Swedish striker Guidetti enjoyed an impressive loan stint at Feyenoord last season as he scored an astonishing 20 goals in just 23 appearances in the Eredivisie, while Boyata spent last season on loan at Bolton Wanderers but failed to secure regular first-team football Clubcall
City fail in De Rossi bid
Daniele de Rossi to turn down Manchester City move
Daniele De Rossi will announce at a press conference on Tuesday that he has snubbed a £31million move to Manchester City to stay at Roma.
Goal.com reports that the Premier League champions have upped their long-standing interest in the Italian international in recent days, culminating in them making two bids for the player.
Sources have told Goal.com that a second City offer of £31m was submitted to Roma on Saturday and the Premier League champions had also prepared a £7 million-a-year-contract for the midfielder.
But De Rossi has decided to reject the Manchester club's interest and stay at the club he joined as a 17-year-old.
Roma have called a press conference for at the club's training ground on Tuesday to allow De Rossi to talk about his future, which has been the subject of growing speculation in the Italian and English media in recent weeks.
It is understood that he will re-affirm his commitment to the Giallorossi, where he is integral to the plans of new manager Zdenek Zeman.
The 29-year-old, who a signed a five-year contract with Roma in February that reportedly made him the highest-paid player in Serie A, is a huge favourite of the supporters at the Italian club.
He is settled in Rome and is part of the fabric of the club, where his father and former Roma player, Alberto De Ross, coaches the youth team. The international star is also keen to stay in his home city for personal reasons as he is currently in the middle of a custody battle with his ex-partner for his young daughter.
The versatile midfielder's decision is a blow to City manager Roberto Mancini, who has made it clear that he wants established players to strengthen his squad in the last days of the transfer window.
De Rossi's agent, Sergio Berti, who also represents City left-back Aleksandar Kolarov, was in Manchester last week to engineer a deal, but the Roma man's decision will now force Mancini to look elsewhere.
Despite buying Jack Rodwell from Everton a week ago for a deal worth up to £15m, Mancini wants an experienced replacement for Nigel de Jong, who is close to leaving the Etihad Stadium.
The City boss could try and make a late swoop for another long-term midfield target, Javi Martinez, who is yet to complete a move to Bayern Munich despite the German giants agreeing a £31m fee last week.
West Ham still affected by Tévez affair
According to David Sullivan West Ham are still being affected by the Carlos Tévez affair which happened five years ago. United won £26.5m in damages in an out-of-court settlement in March 2009. West Ham still owe £10m to Sheffield United which is payable over the next year.
Sullivan said that the repayment burden had affected his transfer budget despite bringing in seven players this summer for a net outlay of around £6.5m.
The club have liabilities of between £70m and £90m and repayments this year also include about £8m owed on transfers and another sum in the region of £5m to cover ticket income that was sold in advance.
Sullivan has said that he and co-owner David Gold would need to inject another £25m into the club this summer to cover for debt repayments and losses.
Howard Webb completes shock move to Man City
Former Man United referee Howard Webb has completed his controversial move to local rivals Man City.
Webb completed the shock move on Saturday, and made his debut in Sunday’s game against newly-promoted Southampton.
The former Old Trafford crowd-favourite made an immediate impact as he earned his new club a penalty, which was saved by Saint’s keeper Kelvin Davies after a tame spot-kick from David Silva.
However, it wasn’t long before Webb’s trickery led to City taking the lead.
A lofted ball over the top found Carlos Tevez, and Webb skillfully waved away appeals for offside to allow the Argentinian to fire home.
Despite an impressive first-half performance, Webb was at fault for Southampton’s equaliser after he showed an uncharacteristic lack of concentration in which he failed to book Ricky Lambert for a blatant attempt on goal.
A surprised Lambert took advantage of the mistake and kept his cool to slot the ball into the net.
Things went from bad to worse for Webb as he allowed Southampton’s players to remain on the pitch, leading to Steven Davis firing Southampton into a surprise lead.
Webb had his team-mates to thank as goals from Edin Dzeko and Samir Nasri gave City a winning start to the season.
Man City boss Roberto Mancini was full of praise for Webb after the match.
“I thought Howard was excellent in the first-half,” he said.
“He tired in the second-half, but I think that was down to a lack of match fixness…..fitness, I meant fitness.”
MANCHESTER TITLE TRACKER BOLLOX: POINTS +3 GOAL DIFF +2
OTHER BOLLOX
Liverpool will tell Andy Carroll, 23, to decide on his future by the end of the week as the Reds look to avoid any deadline day drama over the striker as Tottenham show interest. Daily Mirror
West Ham are set to give up their chase of Wolves midfielder Matt Jarvis, 26, as they close in on 25-year-old Rennes winger Razak Boukari.Evening Standard
Queens Park Rangers are interested in Tottenham defender Michael Dawson, 28.The Times
Midfielder Tom Huddlestone, 25, could be heading out of White Hart Lane on loan, with Stoke keen on his signature. the Guardian
Tottenham are not interested in signing Arsenal's 28-year-old striker Marouane Chamakh. talkSHIT
But they are planning to move for Roma midfielder Miralem Pjanic, 22, before the transfer window closes. Evening Standard
Swansea are set to break their club transfer record fee (currently £3.5m for Danny Graham) after Celtic accepted a £5m offer for 23-year-old South Korea midfielder Ki Sung-Yueng. Daily Star
Fulham are in talks with 29-year-old former Arsenal striker Eduardo as a possible £7 m replacement for unsettled forward Clint Dempsey. Daily Star
Zenit St Petersburg have made a fresh approach to permanently sign Andrey Arshavin, with Arsenal seeking £10m for the 31-year-old forward. The Times
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez discussed the possibility of joining Liverpool Sunderland Echo
The Black Cats hope to sign Johnson, 25-year-old Wolves striker Steven Fletcher and Blackburn defender Martin Olsson, 24, in a £25m triple deal. Sun
Southampton are close to completing an £18m double deal for 21-year-old Uruguay winger Gaston Ramirez from Bologna and Blackpool's wantaway Matt Phillips, 21. Daily Mirror
Blackburn goalkeeper Mark Bunn, 27, has handed in a transfer request. Norwich City are reportedly interested. Lancashire Telegraph
Wolves have told want-away players Steven Fletcher and Matt Jarvis to come to terms with staying at Molineux. Express and Star
Roberto Martinez has claimed he turned down the Liverpool manager's job during the summer.Daily Mirror
Eden Hazard, 21, believes he will not be troubled by tough-tackling Premier League defenders after his superb start to his Chelsea career. The Times
A £101m lotto winner has bought his dream flat - 10 minutes walk from Stamford Bridge. Dave Dawes won the EuroMillions jackpot last year and as well as swapping his £70-a-week one-bed flat for a £9m mansion, the Chelsea fanatic has also splashed out £3.5m on an apartment in Chelsea Harbour. the Sun
CUNTS CORNER
