Barcelona bound: Catalan giants want Vincent Kompany and Sergio Aguero from Manchester City
The Etihad duo look like being the top fallback positions if Barca fail to sign Mats Hummels and keep David Villa
Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta has got Manchester City duo Vincent Kompany and Sergio Aguero on his transfer hit list this summer.
In or out? Vincent Kompany of Manchester City
The Spanish giants are making it their priority to keep striker David Villa and sign Borussia Dortmund centre-half Mats Hummels to bolster their defence.
But Barcelona’s back-up plan includes City’s Argentine striker Aguero if they end up selling Villa this summer.
Etihad hero: But Sergio Aguero could leave Manchester City for Barcelona
And Barca will also look at Belgian centre-half Kompany if they cannot land No.1 transfer target Hummels.
City will fight to keep captain Kompany as he was crucial to last season’s title win, as was Aguero.
Carlos Tevez or Edin Dzeko would seem more likely departures while City remain in the market for Atletico Madrid hitman Radamel Falcao.
Another day, another front page for Sergio Aguero as Real Madrid have him as top target
Yesterday Catalan newspaper Sport had Manchester City's Sergio Aguero on their front page with the claim that the striker would be their top target for this summer's transfer window if they couldn't get a contract extension sorted out with David Villa. Well, in great Spanish tradition, the Madrid based press couldn't have any of that without themselves getting involved and today he's on the front page of AS linked with Real Madrid.
AS say he's the top target for the club this summer because it's likely that either Higuain or Benzema will be leaving and possible that both could be off. Two front pages in two days is quite good going and if Manchester City fans thought it was annoying that the Spanish press were continually linking him with a Madrid move, it's going to end up three-fold if it ends up something of an El Clasico battle.
Aguero is stated as being Real Madrid's top target ahead of both Gareth Bale and Isco. It's stated that he'd simply slot into the side and could provide a better partner for Cristiano Ronaldo than either of Higuain or Benzema. Whilst that may be entirely true, and Real Madrid would hugely benefit from Aguero, he plays for Manchester City and the club simply won't be bullied over a potential transfer.
The Argentine has three years left on his current deal after this season so the current Premier League champions really don't need to panic and the player can't kick his feet too much, not that he seems the type to do so anyway.
This is what AS say today (don't abuse us, it's them saying it!):
'There (glorious Manchester) he is not comfortable, not happy. His dream remains Madrid and the white club know this.
He misses his life in Madrid and maintains his home in La Finca (Pozuelo). He could see more of his son Benjamin, who lives with his mother in the capital. In favour of Madrid is also the need for the City to raise money to match the Financial Fair Play rule. Balotelli was sold to meet these regulations.'
That last bit seems rather misguided considering what's going on at PSG at the moment, and if Manchester City need to worry about FFP then just where would Real Madrid get the £35m+ (our guesstimate) for his transfer whilst at the same time trying to secure Cristiano Ronaldo to a huge new contract and still eyeing up Gareth Bale and Isco?
STEVAN JOVETIC WANTS TO COME TO PREMIER LEAGUE
MONTENEGRO hotshot Stevan Jovetic has opened the door for a big-money move to England by declaring his love of the Premier League.
The Fiorentina striker is the top summer target of Arsenal and Manchester City after smashing 12 goals in 23 league games for the Serie A high-fliers this season.
And while insisting he is in no rush to quit Italy, where he has been plying his trade since 2008, he does admit a switch to our shores would definitely appeal in the future.
Jovetic, 23, who has a £25million buy-out clause in his Fiorentina contract, said: “It sure is nice when you are interesting big clubs like Arsenal and Manchester City.
“It feels good because the English game currently has probably the strongest league in the world.
“I’m very comfortable in Italy but the Premier League is at the top of the football world – and perhaps the best.
“We will see what happens in the future.”
If those comments are not enough to have Gunners chief Arsene Wenger or Eastlands counterpart Roberto Mancini racing for the chequebook just yet, they are cause for optimism.
City reportedly have first option should he opt for the English top flight.
But it is no given that Jovetic will exit Serie A – even if he does walk away from his current club, where he is the vice-captain.
Italian giants Juventus, who are cruising towards another domestic title, are also chasing his signature.
One thing certain, though, is the spotlight will very much be on Jovetic come Tuesday night when he lines up for Montenegro against England in an absolute crunch World Cup qualifier.
Not that he is bothered being the focus of attention – in fact, quite the reverse is true.
The former Partisan Belgrade man is relishing the opportunity to further enhance his glowing reputation by shooting down Roy Hodgson’s boys.
Jovetic, who has cracked 10 goals in 21 appearances for his country, claimed: “There is no pressure on me.
“On the contrary, I love these big games and they motivate me all the more to do well.
“I don’t believe it will affect my game in a bad way at all.”
That could spell trouble for England’s depleted rearguard ranks.
With no Rio Ferdinand, Phil Jagielka or Gary Cahill, Hodgson’s central defensive options are seriously limited.
And that is something Jovetic’s strike partner on the world stage, Mirko Vucinic, hopes to expose at the tiny 12,000-capacity stadium in Podgorica.
Neither man played in Montenegro’s Euro 2012 qualifier with England 18 months ago, which ended 1-1 and with Wayne Rooney sent off. Both were injured.
National skipper Vucinic, 29, said: “England are still one of the best teams and they start as favourites to win this match.
“But the situation is completely different when it comes to the group standings.
“That means they have to come and attack us.
“We have a stronger selection of players this time than in the Euros – and England have a weaker defence because some of their players can’t play.
“But they still have one hell of an attacking player in Wayne Rooney – so I expect it to be an interesting, exciting match.”
The refusal of Manchester United defender Ferdinand to return to the international fold at such a pivotal stage in the race to reach the finals in Brazil has sparked uproar among unhappy England fans.
Initially, Ferdinand claimed his long-term back problem was behind the withdrawal.
Yet it now transpires the ex-Three Lions captain will be in Doha, watching the must-win clash as a TV pundit.
The club-versus-country debate, of course, is utterly irrelevant in fiercely patriotic Montenegro.
Since breaking free of Serbia’s rule in 2006, they have rocketed to 26th in FIFA’s rankings.
“We are an old country with a young football association – and our country’s past is something we are very proud of,” said former Roma star Vucinic, who has been capped 31 times.
“The fact we have never qualified for the World Cup finals or European Championships is extra motivation for us to keep getting results and to keep improving.
“For Montenegro, a match with England is spectacular.
“No one wants to miss it.”
As for England’s persistent failures over the last 50 years to go all the way at a major tournament, and the increasingly resigned feeling that we never will, Vucinic is baffled.
The free-spirited Juve dangerman, whose trademark is a lethal long shot with either peg, reckons those fortunes could be about to improve under experienced coach Hodgson.
Vucinic, who averages a goal every two games for Montenegro, added: “It’s hard for me to find the answer why England are not doing better.
“It’s strange because, for me, the Premier League is one of the very best leagues in the world.
“Maybe with Roy Hodgson now in charge, things will get better.
“He has the experience of managing in different countries and is a football man through and through.”
Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani, who plays for Italian side Napoli, could be coming to the Premier League after admitting he does not know where he will be playing next season. The 26-year-old has scored 27 goals in 33 games for Napoli and is wanted by Chelsea and Manchester City. Daily Mirror
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[/spoiler]Arsenal could be priced out of the race for Jovetic, with Fiorentina seeking more than £25m amid interest from Juventus and both Milan clubs. Daily Express
The Gunners may attempt to sign England under-21 midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah, 18, from Chelsea in the summer after being impressed by his performances on loan at Watford. Daily Express
Sevilla's Alvaro Negredo says he will play in the Premier League "sooner or later". The statement will interest Everton, who attempted to sign the 27-year-old striker on transfer deadline day in January. Liverpool Echo
German team manager Oliver Bierhoff says it will be "impossible" for a European team to win the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, saying the advantage will lie with South American teams. Bild
Swansea's striker Michu, 27, insists he is happy at the Welsh club, saying: "Playing alongside Leon Britton, Jonathan de Guzman, Wayne Routledge, Nathan Dyer and Pablo Hernandez is good for me. I connect well with these players on the field and would not trade them for anybody." El Mundo
Arsenal's Spanish midfielder Santi Cazorla, 28, believes Spain will still qualify for the World Cup, despite two recent draws in their qualification campaign. "Whoever thinks this is the end of an era is wrong," said Cazorla after Spain's 1-1 draw with Finland on Friday. Marca
Juventus forward and Montenegro skipper Mirko Vucinic has said his side will try to provoke England's "loose cannon" Wayne Rooney in the vital World Cup qualifying match on Tuesday. Rooney, 27, was sent off in England's last match in Montenegro in October 2011. DSSC
Chelsea forward Fernando Torres, 29, could be moving back to Atletico Madrid as part of a deal that would take £50m-rated Brazilian striker Radamel Falcao, 27, to Stamford Bridge. Torres began his career at Atletico before joining Liverpool in 2007. DSSC
Manchester United are preparing to buy Porto defender Eliaquim Mangala as a replacement for Rio Ferdinand. Mangala, 22, has played for the French Under-21 team and is rated at £20m. Daily Star
Liverpool believe they can sign Aston Villa striker Andreas Weimann on the cheap in the summer after the 21-year-old Austrian turned down another contract offer to stay at Villa Park. Metro
Manchester United's Brazilian midfielder Anderson is set to leave Old Trafford this summer. The 24-year-old wants to be playing regular first-team football before the 2014 World Cup, which will be staged in his home country. Goal.com
Chelsea will make a summer move for Everton's Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini. The London club are prepared to pay £25m to take the 25-year-old from Goodison Park. Daily Star
Arsenal are interesting in trying to sign Atletico Madrid's Brazilian international striker Diego Costa, 24. Caughtoffside.com
West Ham are close to signing Vitesse Arnhem striker Wilfried Bony for £14m. The 24-year-old from Ivory Coast is described as the new Didier Drogba and is top scorer in the Netherlands this season. Mirror
Arsenal are aiming to capture Danish striker Andreas Cornelius in the summer. The 20-year-old FC Copenhagen player has 16 goals this season and is valued at £5m. Sun
Newcastle are set to offer 31-year-old striker Shola Ameobi a new deal. Express
Chelsea are planning on moving to sign Southampton right-back Nathaniel Clyne, 21, for £7m this summer. Mirror
England captain Steven Gerrard, 32, has warned Wayne Rooney, 27, not to lose control when England play Montenegro in a vital World Cup qualifier on Tuesday. Rooney was sent off when the two countries last met in Podgorica 17 months ago. DSSC
Gerrard also says that England fans are within their rights to show their frustrations towards absent defender Rio Ferdinand, after the Manchester United player pulled out of the England squad. Ferdinand was the subject of offensive chanting in the 8-0 win over San Marino on Friday. Express
Reading are expected to make another attempt to make former Southampton boss Nigel Adkins their new manager after Brighton's Gus Poyet turned down the club's offer. Telegraph
Stoke striker Peter Crouch, 32, tells the club's fans to back manager Tony Pulis. The Potters are 11th in the Premier League but have only won two matches in all competitions in 2013 - against Reading at home and against Championship side Crystal Palace in the FA Cup. Mirror
Ex-England captain David Beckham was embarrassed during his trip to China. Paris St-Germain midfielder Beckham, 37, was wearing a suit as he attempted to display his free-kick-taking prowess but slipped as he took the kick and ended up on the turf. DSSC
San Marino may be ranked the world's worst international team, but they proved they are still a proud bunch after their official FA Twitter account ranted at ITV's coverage of their 8-0 defeat by England. Metro
Jose Mourinho has hinted he wants to return to manage Chelsea next season. The Real Madrid boss is quoted as saying: "It's not easy to find a new destination. It could be a destination where I've coached before. There are things that may be about to happen no-one could imagine." Sun
Mourinho's former Porto youth coach Rui Sa Lemos added fuel to the fire by posting a picture of Stamford Bridge next to the message "Mourinho's home next year" on Twitter. He also posted: "I'm not guessing, I'm giving news," before the account was shut down. Daily Star
Mourinho will return to Stamford Bridge on Monday night as a special guest of the Brazilian FA for their friendly against Russia. Sun
Luiz Felipe Scolari has dismissed suggestions he was a failure at Chelsea and insisted he was not given enough time by owner Roman Abramovich. Daily Express
Chelsea defender David Luiz believes the club can still end their troubled season on a high. "We can still win the Europa League, are still in the FA Cup and fighting for a better position in the table," he said. DSSC
Gillingham chairman Paul Scally bought fish and chips for 28 travelling Accrington fans after the two sides' League Two match on Saturday, which the Gills won 1-0. Metro
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