Roma star on the verge of agreeing Man City deal
Daniele De Rossi has met with Manchester City officials to discuss a possible move away from Roma, according to sources in Italy.
De Rossi, 29, has spent his entire senior career at Roma but is believed to be growing disillusioned with life at the club.The capital side are currently in sixth place, nine points behind leaders Juventus, and the midfielder has not enjoyed the best relationship with Roma boss Zdenek Zeman.
And it is reported that he recently flew to London to meet representatives from City, who have held a long-standing interest in the Italy international.
But the 29-year-old is also thought to have sounded out free-spending Ligue 1 side Paris Saint Germain. The French club are ready to make a move in January.
Roma's American president James Pallotta is jetting into Italy later this month to watch his side away at Chievo Verona and it is thought that sorting out De Rossi's immediate future will be at the top of his list when he arrives. TS
OR ... STAR SNUB BOLLOX
Manchester City's humiliating Champions League exit could scupper Roberto Mancini’s plans to sign Daniele De Rossi or Wesley Sneijder.
Mancini is hoping to strengthen his squad in next month’s transfer window and both De Rossi and Sneijder are on his wish list.
Sneijder, 28, has fallen out with Inter Milan bosses after refusing to accept a wage cut and has not played for the Italian giants since September.
Mancini also remains a huge fan of fellow Italian De Rossi, 29, and has twice tried to sign him in the last 18 months.
The midfield enforcer is disillusioned at Roma, who have slumped to sixth in Serie A.
It is understood he met Blues officials in London following their recent clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
But Mancini’s hand has been weakened after his side crashed out of the Champions League with Tuesday’s defeat at Borussia Dortmund.
The Blues didn’t even secure a place in the Europa League and speculation is mounting about Mancini’s long-term future.
He wants a midfielder to provide options when Yaya Toure takes part in the African Nations Cup for up to six weeks at the start of 2013.
But it’s doubtful whether De Rossi or Sneijder would join the Blues with no guarantee the Italian will even be in charge next season.
Mancini has been boosted by the news that Spanish star David Silva is set to recover from a hamstring problem in time for Sunday’s derby showdown with Manchester United.
Top trio James Milner, Aleksandar Kolarov and Gael Clichy are expected to miss the clash.
Shakhtar Donetsk star claims he is moving to Manchester in January
Shakhtar Donetsk star Fernandinho says he is going to sign for either Manchester United or Manchester City next month - but he is keeping schtum as to who that will be.
The exciting attacker has been central to Shakhtar's impressive Champions League campaign so far this season.
He scored in the 2-1 win over Chelsea last month and has been tracked by numerous clubs with a view to a move.
Intriguingly, the 27-year-old Brazil international says he is leaving Shakhtar and moving to Manchester in January, but he has not said which club he will be joining.
"I am closing a deal with an English club. I will play in Manchester in January," he told Calciomercato.
Read more at http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/ ... uuz5uYr.99
Baby Mario
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Manchester United and Arsenal are tracking Montpellier midfielder Remy Cabella, 22. The Sun
Anderlecht striker Dieumerci Mbokani, 27, says he is unlikely to leave the club in January. The DR Congo international is a target for Tottenham and Fulham. talkSHIT
Wolves have yet to decide whether to offer 26-year-old striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, who is out of contract in the summer, a new deal. Express & Star
Roger Espinoza, who can play in defence and midfield, is poised to join fellow Honduras international Maynor Figueroa at Wigan. The 26-year-old, who plays for MLS team Sporting Kansas City, represented his country at London 2012. Daily Mirror
Stoke manager Tony Pulis has warned the Premier League's top clubs that none of his players are for sale. Manchester United and Liverpool have been interested in defender Ryan Shawcross, 25, and goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, also 25. Daily Star
Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert is monitoring Ghana midfielder Derek Boateng, 29, who plays for Ukrainian side Dnipro, The Sun
Russian outfit Zenit St Petersburg are ready to go head-to-head with Chelsea over a deal for Everton's Marouane Fellaini, 25, in January. Metro
Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson could be about to trump Man City boss Roberto Mancini by signing two of his top targets. United Chief Executive David Gill flew to Croatia this week for talks about signing £15m-rated Alen Halilovic, 16, and he also enquired about 20-year-old right-back Sime Vrsaljko. DSSC
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Rafa Benitez may have to omit John Terry from Chelsea's travelling party for the Fifa Club World Cup in Japan. The captain, 31, has still to rejoin his team-mates in full training as he recovers from knee ligament damage. Guardian
Robbie Savage says the time has come for Arsene Wenger to leave Arsenal. Daily Mirror
Thomas Vermaelen, 27, has lifted the lid on the atmosphere in Arsenal's dressing room and says that despite the club's frustrating form, there are never any arguments as everyone believes in the club's "vision". FourFourTwo
But Gunners' midfielder Mikel Arteta, 30, claims Arsenal's players are hurting and have asked for extra training and spent extra time analysing video of their games. Daily Mirror
Stoke's 25-year-old keeper Asmir Begovic, who has three-and-a-half years left on his contract, says he is happy at the club after being linked with moves to Manchester United and Liverpool. Stoke Sentinel
Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill says he understands the club's fans being "frustrated after a lot of false dawns". The Black Cats have won just two of their last 22 Premier League games. Sunderland Echo
Everton's Steven Naismith, 26, is paying out of his own pocket for Christmas dinner for homeless people in Liverpool. The Scotland international is sponsoring the meal at the Whitechapel Centre, a charity that works with people sleeping rough, living in hostels or struggling to manage their accommodation. Liverpool Echo
Didier Drogba, 34, hosted a dinner to present his Chelsea team-mates from last season's Champions League final victory with individual rings to commemorate the triumph - at what is thought to be a cost of around £800,000 to the player. Independent
