
Napoli president reveals talks have begun with Manchester City over Edison Cavani and Edin Dzeko swap deal
Manchester City appear set to beat Chelsea to the signing of Edison Cavani with Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis admitting negotiations have begun over a deal that could include Edin Dzeko heading in the opposite direction.
De Laurentiis was in England with the Italians’ sporting director Riccardo Bigon and managing director Andrea Chiavelli for meetings on Monday.
It was suggested that the delegation were in London to try and persuade outgoing Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez to become Napoli’s new head coach.
However, De Laurentiis rejected this notion and instead revealed that talks over a possible deal to exchange Cavani for Dzeko plus cash had taken place.
‘I did not go to London for Benitez,’ he said. ‘Yesterday I was in London with (managing director Andrea) Chiavelli and Bigon and for a simple reason: I have to prepare for the release of the film about Steve Jobs.
‘However, I told Bigon, ‘Go to City and take the chance to negotiate over Dzeko and see what they are willing to do for Cavani’.’
Uruguayan striker Cavani, 26, is one of the hottest properties in Europe having scored 36 goals in 41 appearances this season.
Chelsea had appeared to be winning the race but the lure of the unwanted Dzeko in return looks to have swung things back in City’s favour.
Malaga's Manchester City target Isco, 21, is now said to be interesting both Chelsea and Real Madrid. talkSHIT

Gaël Clichy: Roberto Mancini must take share of blame for dismissal
Manchester City's Gaël Clichy has said that Roberto Mancini must take responsibility for events that led to the Italian's dismissal as manager last week, though admitted that there were games last season during which the players "didn't give anything".
"He's the manager and you have to take responsibility," Clichy said of Mancini. "The manager is there to make the choices. Of course, when results are good it's all down to the manager. When the results are not so good, it's also down to him. We have to be aware that he was probably at fault for this, but as players on the pitch we also have to take responsibility and also know that we didn't perform. Whether we played three, four or six at the back – that doesn't matter, you have to give 100 per cent and sometimes this year we didn't give anything."
The Frenchman did not deny that Mancini's exacting standards had made him difficult to work with, though he rejected the suggestion that all players disliked him. "Most of us he brought to the club. If he bought you, it means that he likes you. Once you become a friend of the players that's when you can have trouble. I prefer to have trouble because the manager is respected and is hard."
City's chief executive, Ferran Soriano, told the Associated Press agency that Mancini's dismissal did not put the club "under any instability". On the wisdom of giving Mancini a five-year deal a year before sacking him, Soriano said: "I don't think anybody made a mistake."
Gaël Clichy was speaking at a Manchester City visit to Staten Island in New York, where City have donated football equipment to a local community group which is helping the island recover from Hurricane Sandy.
MCF.net Thread: viewtopic.php?f=119&t=45971
Man City star Samir Nasri talks up Pellegrini, criticises Mancini
Samir Nasri has talked up Manuel Pellgrini’s prospects of success at Manchester City while suggesting former boss Roberto Mancini was unable to get to grips with different personalities in the City dressing room.
The France international was full of praise for the man widely expected to become his new manager.
He said: “I think that (Manuel Pellegrini) is a great manager. He proved himself at Villarreal and Real Madrid as well even if he didn’t win the title but he finished with 96 points. And with Malaga as well.
“All his teams play attractive football. And I think that is what people want to see.
“You pay (for your) ticket to go to football to see something great and he is the kind of manager who can do it so we will see what can happen in the summer.”
Recently sacked Mancini did not receive such a ringing endorsement. Nasri suggested that, while he personally had responded to the Italian’s tough-love management style, other members of the squad had not.
He explained: “Every single player has an ego so maybe to touch the ego of the player so that he can have a positive reaction – that’s what happened with me (when Roberto Mancini criticised Samir Nasri in public). But maybe it doesn’t work with everyone.
“That’s where you can see a big manager is someone who is really smart and knows how to deal with every player because everyone is different.
“Maybe for me it is going to be OK that you public and criticise me but some players need more affection. So it is a tough call for a manager to find a good balance between those situations.”
You’ll probably find the names of those Mancini criticised publicly who didn’t respond well roll off the tongue pretty easily
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Manchester City launch Nike kit in deal worth £72m
Manchester City have officially launched their new £72million kit deal with American sportswear giant Nike.
City announced last year that they would switch brand from Umbro, previously owned by Nike, after agreeing a deal worth £12million per annum over six years.
The new partnership underlines City's determination to boost their commercial income in the upcoming era of Financial Fair Play.
City launched their first Nike kit at a media event in New York, where the team are currently based on their post-season tour.
Tom Glick, City's chief commercial and operating officer, said: "We are delighted to join forces with Nike.
"Having them as our new technical kit partner demonstrates City's growing global appeal, and we look forward to working alongside Nike to build and engage our fanbase around the world.
"Nike's extensive distribution networks will ensure the club's presence in markets stretching from Africa, Europe, Asia and the Americas and that our fans everywhere can find and wear a City shirt."
City will wear their new kit in lucrative friendlies against Chelsea in St Louis and New York on Thursday and Saturday respectively.
The club also announced on Tuesday that they had acquired the rights to Major League Soccer's 20th expansion franchise from 2015 in a partnership with the New York Yankees.
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Wayne Rooney feels he is being forced out of Manchester United and the 27-year-old striker is reportedly adamant that he has not asked to leave the club. Daily Mirror
Real Madrid want to sign Tottenham midfielder Gareth Bale, 23, this summer and are prepared to better Spurs' contract offer of £150,000-a-week. Daily Star
Aston Villa goalkeeper Shay Given, 37, will seek a £5m pay-off to tear up his contract, which still has three years to run. Daily Star
Real Madrid and Barcelona are said to be monitoring Chelsea's David Luiz, 26, who may not be wanted by Jose Mourinho if he returns to Stamford Bridge. DSSC
Fiorentina want around £30m for striker Stefan Jovetic, 23, who is a summer target for Arsenal. Daily Mirror
Incoming Manchester United boss David Moyes is keen to beat Chelsea to the signature of Southampton's 17-year-old full-back Luke Shaw.
Southampton's promising full-back Luke Shaw is attracting interesting from Man Utd and Chelsea DSSC
However, Shaw has reportedly told Southampton that he will stay and sign his first senior contract at St Mary's. Daily Telegraph
Andy Carroll, 24, is stalling on a permanent move to West Ham after the Hammers agreed a £15m deal with Liverpool for the striker. Daily Telegraph
West Ham may also look at signing Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku, 20, on loan to partner Carroll, but face competition from Swansea. Daily Mirror
Barcelona defender Marc Muniesa, 21, is "uncertain" about his future at the club as his contract runs out in June. Marca
Juventus midfielder Mauricio Isla, 24, is considering leaving the Serie A club this summer. Tuttosport
Paris St-Germain have contacted Rafael Benitez as a contingency measure to deal with manager Carlo Ancelotti's possible departure from the club. L'Equipe
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has been given 48 hours to decide if he wants to replace Tony Pulis at Stoke City. Daily Express
Stoke captain Ryan Shawcross took to Twitter to express his shock at the sacking of Tony Pulis. Stoke Sentinel
Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard, 34, has admitted he never really got close to interim manager Rafael Benitez. Sun
Championship clubs are set to push for trials of safe standing areas in football grounds. Independent
Phil Neville is in the frame for a senior coaching role at Stoke City following the departure of manager Tony Pulis after seven years in charge at the club. Independent
However, the former Manchester United and England defender, 36, has told Everton chairman Bill Kenwright he is keen to replace David Moyes as the Toffees' manager. Guardian
The club that finishes bottom of the Premier League next season is set to collect around £63m in earnings from a new broadcasting deal currently in negotiations, just over £20m more than the current amount. Daily Telegraph
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