Official club bollox
There is another Spanish player grabbing the headlines this morning, with Jesus Navas taking his turn to lead the media round up.
Following hot on the heels of yesterday’s Isco reports, the exciting Sevilla winger is said to be another summer target for City as they look to reclaim the title in 2013/14.
However, according to the Daily Mail, the Blues could face stiff competition from European giants Real Madrid to secure the services of the 27-year-old.
Simon Jones writes: “Sevilla would prefer their Spanish winger to join City as they believe that would guarantee a bigger fee but City will only offer around half his buy-out clause of £30million.
“Real want Navas, 27, to replace Angel di Maria who is in talks with Paris Saint-Germain.”
Elsewhere, The Guardian’s Jamie Jackson has turned his attention to the future of Argentinian frontman Carlos Tevez.
The striker, who grabbed 17 goals for City in all competitions last season, has been linked with a range of clubs in recent weeks including Monaco and Juventus.
Jackson reports: “The striker is thought to have an open mind regarding whether to remain at the club he joined four years ago from Manchester United and where he is among the highest paid players, with a reported salary of around £250,000 a week.
“As there is only a year remaining on Tevez's contract, City's options are to listen to offers for him, decide to prolong the 29-year-old's deal to protect his value, or refuse to extend his contract.”
Remember, we’ll be the first to bring you news of any confirmed ins or outs this summer on mcfc.co.uk!
Finally, after signing a contract extension to keep him at the Etihad Stadium until 2017, Sergio Aguero has been speaking to the Argentinian media about speculation linking him with Real Madrid.
His comments will further endear him to City fans around the globe, as he speaks with enthusiasm about his future at the club.
Charles Perrin quotes Sergio in the Daily Express: "They were only rumours. I have a commitment at Manchester City, which is a great club," the Argentine told the media in his homeland.
"I am happy to be part of a team that is growing up very fast. I am happy in Manchester, two years have gone by and I expect that we can do big things in the next few years.”
AGENT CLAIMS MANCHESTER CITY HAVE LODGED A BID FOR FELIPE MELO
MANCHESTER CITY have made a bid for former Brazil international Felipe Melo, according to the player's agent.
The 29-year-old defensive midfielder is on loan at Galatasaray from Juventus and has attracted the interest of City...apparently.
"I don't want to give the name but I can speak about the offer we have received from England," Melo's agent Jose Rodrigo Baster told turkish-football.com.
Then, from not revealing the name, Baster quickly has a bizarre U-turn.
Is he trying to work his client a big Premier League deal?
He added: "City are interested in Melo, the club have made no secret of this and I am free to inform you about this latest development."
Melo has spent two seasons at Galatasaray on loan and is said to be unhappy they have not signed him on a permanent basis.
Baster said: "I love Galatasaray fans, Fatih Terim [the manager] and the team but the board did the same thing last season.
"Also they had a buy-out clause agreement with Juventus until 30 April 2013.
"I don't want to be disrespectful but I can't understand what's going on and am quite upset about the situation."
No-nonsense midfielder Melo is a rock in the centre of the park - and a pretty handy keeper too.
Regular stopper Fernando Muslera was sent off when Galtatasaray took on Elazığspor last year but Melo donned the gloves - as the video above shows - to save a penalty.
Carlos Tevez's future unclear as Manchester City consider contract offer
• Striker has only a year remaining on current deal
• Tevez could consider move to PSG or Monaco
Carlos Tevez's future remains uncertain as he waits to discover if Manchester City will offer him a new deal on his current contract, which expires next summer.
The striker is thought to have an open mind regarding whether to remain at the club he joined four years ago from Manchester United and where he is among the highest paid players, with a reported salary of around £250,000 a week.
As there is only a year remaining on Tevez's contract, City's options are to listen to offers for him, decide to prolong the 29-year-old's deal to protect his value, or refuse to extend his contract.
This last option would seem the least likely as it would open up a scenario in which a player who cost the club at least £25m could walk away for free in 12 months time.
There is no guarantee that if Tevez were to be offered new terms he would accept them as the Argentinian may decide the best move is not to sign on again in order to strengthen his position regarding any future negotiations.
Having been unsettled during the 2011‑12 season, during which he fell out with the former manager Roberto Mancini and did not feature in the team for a number of months, Tevez is now happy at City and enjoying life in Manchester. At the end of last month, he said: "I have a year left and I will respect that . I'll think about whether to sign a new one. It's not the same as last season when I wanted to leave as soon as possible . I'm going through a different time. The club is treating me really well and that's so important for me."
Tevez is the last of City's frontline players whose future is to be tied up. At the end of last week Tevez's countryman and fellow striker, Sergio Aguero, signed a contract extension that keeps him at City until 2017, to follow Gael Clichy whose new deal finishes in four years' time too. Yaya Touré and David Silva also agreed fresh terms during last season.
If Tevez was to be sold, he may be of interest to Monaco and Paris St-Germain, while Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur could also monitor his situation.
Tevez has admitted a move to France to play in Ligue 1 for PSG, to where he nearly moved last year, or Monaco would be considered. "There was interest from PSG for me, and we talked with Leonardo [the director of football], but we could not reach an agreement," he said last week. "But it remains an interesting option as the French championship is moving very fast. If Leonardo called me, it's not a problem for me to come, really no problem to come to Paris and France.
"For me, Monaco is one of the largest French clubs, and any player would go there. I have a one-year contract left at City and I am happy, and I love playing in the Premier League – but a project like Monaco I really like. I know [Claudio] Ranieri [head coach] and he has proven he is a great coach so for me this would be great."
Manchester City interested in Felipe Melo according to agent
Manchester City are interested in Galatasaray defensive midfielder Felipe Melo according to the players agent Jose Rodrigo Baster.
"I don't want to give the name but I can speak about the offer we have received from England," Baster said.
"City are interested in Melo, the club have made no secret of this and I am free to inform you about this latest development.
"I love Galatasaray fans, Fatih Terim and the team but the board did the same thing last season.
"Also they had a buy-out clause agreement with Juventus until 30 April 2013.
"I don't want to be disrespectful but I can't understand what's going on and am quite upset about the situation."
Borussia Dortmund, Napoli and Sao Paulo have also been linked with Melo.
Melo who has spent two seasons at Galatasaray on loan is reported to be unhappy with the Istanbul giants unwillingness to sign him on a permanent basis.
Galatasaray are still locked in negotiations with Juventus who are holding out at a €6 million transfer fee; while the Turkish champions are only willing to set aside €4 million for the former Brazil international.
The 30-year-old midfielder played an important role in the Lions lifting the 2011-12 and 2012-13 Turkish Super League titles. Melo has 13 goals and 6 assists in 71 appearances for the Istanbul club.
Liverpool to sign Kolo Toure from Manchester City
Liverpool have agreed a deal to sign Manchester City defender Kolo Toure.
The 32-year-old Ivory Coast international will move to Anfield on 1 July when his contract at Etihad Stadium expires.
Toure has made 102 appearances for City since joining from Arsenal for £14m in July 2009 and was part of the team that won the Premier League in 2011-12.
But he played only 13 games in 2012-13 and was left out of the club's Champions League squad.
Toure joins the Merseyside club following the retirement of fellow central defender Jamie Carragher and with uncertainty over the future of Slovakia international Martin Skrtel.
In seven seasons at Arsenal, Toure won the FA Cup twice and was part of the 'Invincibles' squad that went through the 2003-04 season unbeaten to win the Premier League.
However, Toure missed out on City's 2011 FA Cup success after being suspended for six months in March of that year for failing a drugs test.
That's dedication! Manchester City fans painstakingly build 2,000 tile mosaic of club's crest in their bathroom... and it even leads to couple's engagement
Mr Collier decided it was perfect backdrop to propose to Miss Nugent
Couple now hope to marry at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium
Many football fans will often adorn their home with pictures of their beloved team.
But Manchester City fans Greg Collier and Rachel Nugent decided to go that little bit further than most.
The dedicated Blues supporters turned their bathroom wall into a shrine to their heroes by building this amazing 2,000 tile mosaic of the club’s crest.
And after spending six months working together on the mosaic - Mr Collier decided it would be the perfect backdrop for him to ask his girlfriend for her hand in marriage.
To complete the 5ft dazzling design, Mr Collier, 37, and Miss Nugent, 30, patiently stuck each individual tile chip to the wall.
Miss Nugent, who works as a legal secretary, said: 'We moved into the house a couple of years ago and were doing it up.
'Some tiling was done in the bathroom but there was one wall remaining which looked a bit bare, so I suggested making a colourful mosaic City crest out of the remaining tiles.
'I was a bit of a whacky idea, but everyone understands our love for the team. We’re season ticket holders and never miss a game, so I don’t think anyone would expect anything less.'
Lifelong supporter Mr Collier, who previously installed three stars on his garden footpath in celebration of last year’s Premier League title win, thought it was a cracking idea and sketched out a design.
Mr Collier, who lives in Newall Green, Manchester, with Miss Nugent and her four-year-old son Lewis, said: 'I have always loved drawing and loved the idea of completing a project together.
'We spent about six months in there, determined to get a little bit more done when we could. We used hammers to smash the tiles into minute pieces and even had to round some of them off with a file, to create curved edges.
He said: 'We then had to paint each piece separately and it was very tough at times, making sure everything was symmetrical.
'We spent about 30 minutes on it each night and we encouraged each other to keep going.'
And Mr Collier, who was hoping to pop the question at the Ethihad ground in front of thousands of fans, decided to propose to his girlfriend in the bathroom.
He said: 'I was going to as Rachel to marry me by putting it up on the big advertising screens at the football, but a guy who sits behind us at every game bet me to it.
'I figured, since we were spending so much time in the bathroom working on the mosaic, I thought it would be quite special and memorable.'
And the proposal was totally unexpected for Miss Collier, who had just finished working on the piece that night.
She said: 'It was like we were living in the bathroom and after spending a bit of time on the mosaic, I decided to run myself a lovely bath. I was lying back, relaxing. I closed my eyes for a second and when I opened them, Greg was kneeling next to the bath.
'It was amazing and such a surprise. The mosaic will always remind me of us getting engagement.
She said: 'I’ve been there with him on so many nights chipping away at mosaic tiles.
'We’re both so passionate about the club and I think the mosaic is beautiful - it really has the wow factor.
'When our friends visit, they think we’re pretty mad, but we’re really mad about Man City. Everyone has been impressed with it, especially when you see the full size of it,' she laughed.
And the couple are planning to also have their favourite club featuring at their wedding and although they are yet to set a date for the big day, they hope to bag the Etihad Football Stadium as the venue.
Miss Collier said: 'Most brides would cringe at the thought of inviting their guests to a wedding on a football ground - not me.
'It would be a dream come true and we’ve already checked the venue out - we’d have the function in one of the suites.
'We’ll also have the team’s colours, I can just imagine everybody in light blue and white, it would just look stunning.'
Manchester City workers accuse bosses of betrayal over free-tickets perk
Anger over plans to axe long-standing deal and charge staff for season cards
Manchester City have been accused of betraying their staff after plans to withdraw two free season tickets from salary packages came to light.
Workers at the Etihad have traditionally been given the tickets as a token of appreciation for their efforts on top of their salaries.
City are thought to be one of the only clubs in the Premier League to operate such a system. But, in a move branded ‘disgraceful’ by one furious member of staff, they have now been told they may have to buy the tickets at half price. City bosses said that the proposal was currently under consultation. The news was delivered to workers in a letter. One employee, who asked not to be named, questioned the club’s morals.
They said: “It has created a lot of unrest and I know a lot of people who have worked there years who are now contemplating leaving because of it.
“We always got two free season tickets which we all classed as part of our salaries.
“But now we have been told that we can still have two tickets but we will have to pay 50 per cent of the standard price for them. It’s disgraceful and no way to treat staff. It’s a betrayal.”
The worker also questioned the club’s priorities.
“They are spending millions on creating a new team in New York while effectively taking money out of the back pockets of their own staff in Manchester.
“And we are all wondering which level of staff this system starts at. I doubt Patrick Vieira is having to pay for tickets.”
The worker questioned the logic behind the move.
“It just smacks of bad management. The amount of money they will save from it would not be enough to pay (midfielder) Yaya Toure’s wages for two days. And although they announce sell-outs there are always empty seats.”
City, who have a waiting list for season cards, said the move was part of an ‘ongoing consultation’ with staff.
A spokesman added: “In order to fund enhancements of existing staff benefits or introduce wider, more flexible benefits it may be necessary to amend the way in which staff access season cards. In addition to financial compensation, staff would also have the opportunity to purchase season tickets at a discounted rate.”
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]Liverpool and Manchester United are set to miss out on Ajax midfielder Christian Eriksen, 21, as he nears a £10m move to Borussia Dortmund. talkSHIT
Former Newcastle and Blackburn keeper Given made only nine appearances this season
Hull could move for 37-year-old Aston Villa goalkeeper Shay Given, who is available for £1m. Daily Mirror
Real Madrid are ready to make Cristiano Ronaldo, 28, the best-paid player in the world in order to keep him away from a return to Manchester United. Metro
Crystal Palace and West Ham are vying to sign Barcelona defender Marc Bartra, 22, on loan. talkSHIT
Real Madrid are confident they will win the battle for winger Gareth Bale, 23, and have set a 15 June deadline for the deal to be done with Tottenham. Daily Star
Chelsea are ready to go head-to-head with Arsenal for Fiorentina's £25m-rated striker Stefan Jovetic, 23. Daily Express
Tottenham are looking at a new £30m strikeforce of Barcelona's David Villa, 31, and Internacional's Leandro Damiao, 23, to fire them into the top four. Sun
Jose Mourinho will retain first-team coach Steve Holland and goalkeeping coach Christophe Lollichon when he makes his expected return to Chelsea next week. Times
Roberto Martinez is ready to take over as manager of Everton and wants to bring in some of the players that helped Wigan win the FA Cup with him. Daily Mirror
Mark Hughes is likely to be appointed Stoke City's manager within 48 hours and will be assured of funds to spend, though his budget will be vastly reduced compared to former club QPR. Daily Telegraph
Owen Coyle and Stuart Pearce are among the contenders to replace Roberto Martinez at Wigan after the Spaniard declared his intention to leave the Latics. Daily Mirror
Tottenham defender Kyle Naughton and Norwich counterpart Sebastien Bassong have both posted pictures of themselves on the internet posing with guns. DSSC
Crystal Palace will have to spend several million pounds to refurbish their stadium and upgrade the media facilities following their return to the Premier League. Times
Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcantara, 22, has refused to be drawn on rumours that Manchester United are considering a summer move for his services. Sky Sports
Roma general manager Franco Baldini has travelled to London to meet club president James Pallotta amid rumours of his departure from the Italian club. Tottenham are said to be interested in appointing former England assistant Baldini as their new director of football. tuttosport.com
Former Watford owner Laurence Bassini sent gloating text messages about opening champagne following the club's play-off defeat by Crystal Palace. Watford Observer
Statues of former Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez have been made in the Italian city of Naples following his appointment as manager of Napoli. DSSC
GOLDEN BOLLOX 29-5-2010
BLING SEALS ROBINHO DEAL
MANCHESTER City star Robinho is moving into the house of Derby County’s Robbie Savage after being blown away by its bling factor.
The £32.5million British record signing was wowed by the Welsh midfielder’s swanky £2.35million home during a tour of Cheshire’s top mansions.
And he has beaten footie rival Dimitar Berbatov, of Man United, to sign on the dotted line for the unique five-bedroom home in Prestbury.
As we revealed earlier this month, the pair were involved in a property battle after signing for the rival clubs on the final day of the transfer window.
The pair both turned their noses up at a £6.5million pad close to Cristiano Ronaldo’s home, while Robinho also checked out the Alderley Edge property of ex-Man United ace Mikael Silvestre.
Robinho, 24, was shown around Savage’s home – which has featured on MTV’s Footballers’ Cribs – last week.
He will rent the pad for £10,000 a month until he decides on a permanent move.
A source said: “Robbie Savage’s house fits the bill. It is fully furnished and Robinho loves all the bling.
“It’s also full of boys’ toys and gadgets, which the footballers love.”
How the feck this is latest 'news' is beyond me!
Valencia confirm talks with Manchester City over £25 million David Silva deal
Valencia president Manuel Llorente has confirmed that talks have taken place with Manchester City over the possible £25 million transfer of Spain winger David Silva.
City chief executive Garry Cook, who returned from a business trip to Spain on Friday night with football administrator Brian Marwood, had been due to meet Llorente in Valencia on Thursday before re-scheduling for a later date.
Llorente said: “The news is true. City got in touch with us asking for a meeting, but then they informed us that they could not come and that they intend to do so a little further down the line."
Sport on television Valencia have warned Silva, who has previously expressed a desire to join Manchester United or Real Madrid, that he will not be allowed to leave for less than £25 million.
