ROUND-UP
City’s interest in Portuguese defender Pepe may be over according to reports this morning.
Manuel Pellegrini is apparently an admirer of the Real Madrid centre-back but new Real manager Carlos Ancelotti has refused to sanction the sale, according to Ian Herbert of the Independent.
It’s thought that City’s failure to sign the 30-year old could offer a fresh opportunity for Joleon Lescott to stake a claim for regular inclusion.
“City were already resigned to failing to sign him,” writes Herbert, “the situation could offer a reprieve to Joleon Lescott, whose desire to stay at the club is tempered by a need for Premier League starts ahead of the 2014 World Cup.
“City are progressing moves to sign the Sevilla striker Alvaro Negredo, though frontman Pablo Osvaldo is not heading to City, despite suggestions that they are closing in on the Roma player.”
One man who could be creeping ever-closer to a move to the Etihad Stadium is Stevan Jovetic, who looks set to leave Fiorentina after the Serie A club clinched a deal for Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez.
City are said to be in competition with Arsenal for the Montenegrin frontman but the Blues are thought to be leading the race to activate his £27m buy-out clause.
“It is City who are moving into pole position having sold Carlos Tevez to Juventus. plus they can cope with his basic wage demands of £120,000 a week,” Shaun Custis of The Sun reports.
A source close to the player said: “Of the top players in Europe, Stevan is the best value striker on the market right now.”
Surely it’s not just me who imagines a shadowy figure clutching a briefcase wearing a trenchcoat in an underground car park when hearing of these “sources”?
Anyway, Arsenal are "reeling in" Gareth Barry according to Jeremy Cross of the Daily Star.
Master angler Arsene Wenger is ready to part with £4m for the England midfielder.
“Arsenal are favourites to sign Barry with boss Arsene Wenger telling him he would be an integral part of his team,” Cross argues.
“Arsenal are willing to offer Barry a 12-month deal worth around £75,000 a week, with the option of a second year if he is a success.
“Barry will spend the next week considering his immediate future but looks certain to quit City.”
Finally, Reece Wabara is said to be interesting Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday are keen to take Jeremy Helan back to Hillsborough after a successful loan spell last season.
GOLDEN BOLLOX 9-July 2012
Hello and goodbye? Mancini ducks welcome ceremony at City training camp as speculation continues over his future
The squad arrived in Seefeld, Austria on Sunday night but the Italian manager disappointed local officials by snubbing a presentation in front of the crowds
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Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini ducked out of a ceremony to welcome his title-winning team to their pre-season training camp in Austria on Sunday night as speculation grows over his future.
However, Blues fans will be relieved that the Italian HAS travelled with the squad to the high-altitude base for the next two weeks after he was linked with quitting for the Russian national team job.
The title-winning players arrived in Seefeld tonight to cheers from locals and the boom of an oompah band, but Mancini avoided the crowds.
Sources suggested he may have used a private entrance round the back of the five-star hotel or even delayed his arrival altogether to escape attention.
The move disappointed local officials, who had planned to hand over a specially-made lederhosen to the Blues boss on the red carpet.
City players who have been on Euro 2012 duty have been given a break and will not be coming to the camp, during which the club will play three training matches.
A crowd of around 500 - one-sixth of the village's population - had turned out to welcome the latest Premier League club to stay in the spa resort in the Alps.
Players from AS Monaco are staying in the four-star hotel next door to City.
New Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini to face press for the first time
Manchester City are set to formally unveil new manager Manuel Pellegrini at a press conference.
The Chilean will be presented to media at the club's training ground tomorrow, almost four weeks after his appointment was confirmed.
He will be joined by new signing Fernandinho, the Brazilian midfielder bought from Shakhtar Donetsk at a cost to the club of £30million.
Pellegrini met the majority of his squad this week for the start of their pre-season programme.
They travel to South Africa later in the week ahead of friendlies against SuperSport United and AmaZulu FC.
They are also participating in the Barclays Asia Trophy in Hong Kong this month before playing a tournament in Munich and a friendly against Arsenal in Helsinki.
They begin their Barclays Premier League campaign against Newcastle on August 17.
Pellegrini, 59, left Malaga to succeed Roberto Mancini at the Etihad Stadium.
Mancini was sacked in the final week of last season after the club surrendered their Barclays Premier League title and were surprisingly beaten by Wigan in the FA Cup final.
The high-profile arrivals of Pellegrini and Fernandinho, and Spain winger Jesus Navas from Sevilla for an initial £14.9million, have heralded a summer of change.
City appear to have pulled out of a move for £53million-rated Napoli striker Edinson Cavani and have lost out to Real Madrid for playmaker Isco, but continue to be linked with numerous possible targets.
Former captain Carlos Tevez has also left the club for Juventus amid the changes.
Manchester City's Aguero to Barcelona is front page news in Catalonia, in yet more fantasy football
Catalan newspaper Sport has been getting slightly out of control over the past week or so. The transfer window has finally pushed them over the edge and they seem to be throwing out front pages which mean little but surely catch attention both in this country and more locally to them.
Over the past 5 days it had been a building story for them that Wayne Rooney was on his way to Barcelona and they talked of swap deals for the Manchester United striker. Yesterday they came to what they said was the solution to the Thiago situation and Barcelona's apparent search for more firepower upfront, Manchester United could send Rooney to Barcelona and in turn they'd get Thiago, David Villa and €4m back, by yesterday evening Villa was an Atletico Madrid player.
They've moved on from Rooney because they say a deal would be too complicated and are instead unsettling Sergio Aguero today, saying that he is the man to fill the boots left by David Villa. Those boots were so often on the bench that it's a wonder they need filling, especially with the signing of Neymar already secured.
Aguero is perhaps one of European football's most underrated players, usually because he keeps things quiet and last season wasn't one of his very best. However, Sport reckon that Barcelona could get the Manchester City striker for as little as €30m - which is pure fantasy football!
He has a contract until 2017 but the Catalan newspaper say Aguero is ready to take the step this summer and that Negredo would be arriving at Manchester City imminently to replace him. Sport even reckon that Aguero, who they had barely talked about before today, would be willing to take a pay cut to make the move to Barcelona in a similar transfer to that of Cesc Fabregas.
Manchester City have sold Mario Balotelli and Carlos Tevez over the last year, there is simply no way they would let Sergio Aguero go to Barcelona. And €30m? Just because Barcelona have just sold their striker for a pittance, doesn't mean that other clubs are going to do the same.
ARSENAL TARGET GARETH BARRY
Arsenal are willing to offer Barry a 12-month deal worth around £75,000 a week, with the option of a second year if he is a success
GARETH BARRY has opened talks with Arsenal over a possible £4m move to the Emirates.
The England midfielder, who is in the final 12 months of his £100,000-aweek deal at Manchester City, fears he won't be part of new boss Manuel Pellegrini's plans.
And Starsport understands the Gunners are in pole position to sign Barry.
City have offered the 32-year-old a contract extension on reduced terms, but he is worried he will become a bit-part member of Pellegrini's side - and that will ruin his chances of being involved in next summer's World Cup with England.
The Gunners, Tottenham and West Ham all keen on landing the former Aston Villa star.
But Arsenal are favourites to sign Barry with boss Arsene Wenger telling him he would be an integral part of his team.
Arsenal are willing to offer Barry a 12-month deal worth around £75,000 a week, with the option of a second year if he is a success.
Barry will spend the next week considering his immediate future but looks certain to quit City.
The recent arrivals of Jesus Navas and Fernandinho have increased competition for places even more and Barry doesn't want to be left stuck on the sidelines.
Pellegrini took charge of his first training session at Carrington yesterday and one of his first tasks will be to resolve the future of Joleon Lescott.
The England defender wants to know if he is part of the Chilean's plans after falling down the boss Roberto Mancini.
Kompany hails Pellegrini after first day in Manchester City job
The Belgium and City captain reported back to training on Monday and was impressed with how the 59-year-old handled the first session ahead of his debut Premier League season
Vincent Kompany has praised Manuel Pellegrini's early approach to his new job as Manchester City manager.
The former Malaga boss has taken over at the Etihad Stadium this summer, following the sacking of Roberto Mancini in May.
And Kompany feels that Pellegrini has approached his new position in the correct way, while also praising the squad’s fitness on the first day of pre-season training at Carrington.
"I think all of us have done some preparation work during the holidays because the guys look very sharp after a long break, so that's great," the 27-year-old told the club's official website.
"It was also nice to start work with the new manager and I think his approach with the team today was really good.
"It's important now to try to improve on the last campaign and make sure that whatever the new manager brings in, that we try to make it our own as quick as possible."
His side will embark on pre-season trips to South Africa, Hong Kong, Germany and Finland before their opening Premier League fixture at home to Newcastle United on August 17.
City have already recruited Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho from Shakhtar Donetsk and Jesus Navas from Sevilla this summer.
City hunt £27m Stevan
MANCHESTER CITY are cranking up their interest in Fiorentina striker Stevan Jovetic.
The Montenegro star, 23, has a £27million buy-out clause that is proving an attractive option among Premier League clubs in the race to sign him.
SunSport understand Liverpool are also keen along with Chelsea and Arsenal.
But it is City who are moving into pole position having sold Carlos Tevez to Juventus. plus they can cope with his basic wage demands of £120,000 a week.
Jovetic has made it clear he wants to leave Florence.
A source close to the player said: “Of the top players in Europe, Stevan is the best value striker on the market right now.”
The Truth on Dzeko to Napoli
The Manuel Pellegrini revolution at Manchester City could yet have another victim in the striking department, with Edin Dzeko linked with a move to Napoli. Ironically, he could be replacing a former City target, Edison Cavani.
His form and favour has fluctuated at City, but Dzeko has been a consistent goalscorer in his time there and given the departures of both Mario Balotelli and Carlos Tevez since the turn of the year, it's hard to see Pellegrini letting another striker go without bringing new faces in.
After all, Roberto Mancini's failure to replace Balotelli cost City dearly in their Man United last season, and there's no sign yet that City are ready to get back to their free-spending ways, so keeping hold of players in key departments may be a necessary tactic.
Speaking of Mancini, he seems to actually be one of the sources of this rumour, with The Sun quoting him as saying:
If Napoli take Dzeko, they would be safe. They would get a great striker who gets 25 a season and only has one defect - that he wants to play in every game.
Given his complicated feelings about his former employers, you can't imagine Mancini will be turning down many requests to be a rent-a-quote about their players, and he's no more likely than any of us to really know about their availability.
Of course, Napoli are now managed by another exile from last season's Premier League, Rafa Benitez, who saw 69 goalless minutes of Dzeko in his first game as Chelsea boss and had plenty of opportunity to chat to him in the return fixture and FA Cup semi-final, as he was an unused substitute both times.
Like a lot of summertime transfer rumours, there's a chain involved here. For Napoli to want to buy Dzeko, they'd first need to finish selling Cavani to Paris Saint Germain (you'll note there's no hint of a cash-plus-Dzeko deal for him from Eastlands), while City will want to replace Tevez before considering letting him go. That's all if Napoli don't sign Steven Jovetic first.
And that's also assuming Dzeko would want to go. He'd be swapping the English runners-up for the Italian runners-up, but if he replaced Cavani he would at least have the chance to play a starring role. The question is whether the Italian league suits his style; he wouldn't be the first to score freely in Germany/England and find the going tough in Serie A.
So, with a lack of any quotes from people who are actually still involved, we're remaining sceptical for now, giving it a 50% truth rating, while the odds of it happening are, for the complicated reasons above, 45%. We're also not convinced that Italy would be the best place for him, even under a manager like Benitez.
SNUB COUNT: 261
Manchester City star Sinclair may be priced out of Newcastle move
MANCHESTER City winger Scott Sinclair is interested in a move to Newcastle – but the 24-year-old could be out of United’s price range.
The odds on Sinclair joining the club, previously 40/1, were yesterday slashed to 1/4 by one bookmaker.
Pardew signed Sinclair on loan at Charlton, and the Gazette understands he is an admirer of the player, who can play on the left side of midfield or up front.
He hardly played for City last season after a £6.2m from Swansea City, and is keen to play regular football next season.
However, much would depend on City’s valuation of Sinclair, who started his career at Chelsea.
GOLDEN BOLLOX 9 July 1983
Dennis Tueart leaves City for the second time, joining Stoke City on a free transfer. Tueart had returned to the Blues from New York Cosmos two years earlier after a couple of unforgettable seasons in The Big Apple and was welcomed back with open arms by his legion of admirers at Maine Road. He managed 30 goals in 91 appearances during his second spell with City but relegation to Division Two meant his wages were too expensive as the club sought to slash costs.
Young City guns are all set to fire
The Blues boys’ brigade may have squad numbers but they still have to prove they are worth a shot under Manuel Pellegrini
City's bingo boys will be even more bright-eyed and bushy-tailed this week, as they seek to book a place on the flight to South Africa.
Young players with improbably high digits on the back of their shirts are all hoping that, under the new regime, their number will finally come up.
And with several players due to report back late for pre-season training and Manuel Pellegrini keen to show that youth will get its chance under his reign, the jostling for position will be like never before.
City’s squad list last season looked improbably long on the match-day programme, with 40 names – from number one Joe Hart to number 70 George Evans – listed as being squad members.
That has led, in the last two seasons to some rather lazy summations that the Blues have a huge, unwieldy squad, draining the wages reservoir.
The reality is that 14 of that list of 40 do not have a Premier League appearance between them, and some are still quite a distance from getting one. Another seven players have also been given squad numbers.
But the buzz around City over the ‘holistic’ approach appears to open new avenue to the first team. Not only do City want to free the log-jam of players moving from academy to elite development squad to first team – they want to be seen to do it, as well. For the dedicated, the bold and the strong, that means this summer is vital and these hazy days of high temperatures should mean extra hours in the gym and on the training field as you seek to catch Pellegrini’s eye.
For most, the coming season will be another year of learning their trade, playing under-21 football if they are lucky, or going out on loan to garner valuable experience.
Most will go on the ten-day training camp in Croatia for the academy and elite development squad which begins tomorrow. For a select few, this season could be the breakthrough of which they have dreamed ever since they first pulled on a football shirt.
Here, M.u.E.N. Sport profiles the players who had squad numbers last season, but who have no guarantee of a squad place in the coming campaign.
DENIS SUAREZ (No.35) – The 19-year-old Spanish midfielder’s season has just ended with his country’s exit from the World Under-20 Championships, but will be hoping this is the year he pushes into the first team reckoning.
DEDRYCK BOYATA (38) – Given his break by Roberto Mancini, the big Belgian defender was City’s young player of the year in 2010, but loans to Bolton and FC Twente do not seem to have enhanced his game. Make or break season.
ALEX TCHUIMENI-NIMELY (43) – The Liberia-born striker is now 22, so is another whose career is at the crossroads, after loans spells at Middlesbrough, Coventry and Crystal Palace, where he managed one goal in a total of 28 appearances
KARIM REKIK (44) – The 18-year-old Dutch defender is full of promise, but is expected to go on loan to PSV Eindhoven this season.
HARRY BUNN (47) – The prolific 20-year-old striker, son of former Oldham hero and current City academy coach Frankie, missed almost the whole of last season with a serious knee ligament injury while on loan at Crewe.
EMYR HUWS (52) – Huge boost for the Wales under-21 midfielder, as he was included in the Blues’ squad for the post-season trip to the US, and replaced Yaya Toure in the St Louis exhibition match.
ALEX HENSHALL (53) – The left winger was City’s best player in a NextGen clash with Chelsea two seasons ago, and spent the end of last season on loan at Chesterfield. Another loan could be on the cards.
KIERAN KENNEDY (54) – The 19-year-old Mancunian centre-half or midfielder, has been at City since he was five and has four under-age international caps. Could be a rock of the under-21 side this season.
ALBERT RUSNAK (55) – The Slovakian winger was also taken to the US at the end of last season and played for an hour against Chelsea in St Louis.
REECE WABARA (57) – The 21-year-old defender had his moment of fame with an FA Cup goal against Liverpool last season, while on loan at Oldham. Ended the season at Blackpool and is likely to go on loan again.
JOHN GUIDETTI (60) – The 21-year-old Sweden international striker will miss the start of the season following knee surgery, but hopes his nightmare of illness and injury will finally come to an end, with Pellegrini already a fan.
JEREMY HELAN (61) – Impressive loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday last season for the French youngster who can play anywhere down the left. Will be in demand as a loanee once more.
ABDUL RAZAK (62) – The Ivory Coast international midfielder been on the fringes of the first team squad for three seasons, as well as going on loan to Portsmouth, Brighton and Charlton. Another who is at make-or-break point.
EIRIK JOHANSEN (63) – Fourth choice goalkeeper and Norway under-21 starlet, he spent the end of last season on loan at Scunthorpe, and could be farmed out again.
MARCOS LOPES (64) – Exciting 17-year-old burst onto the scene with his FA Cup goal against Watford. Hard-working and talented, he is tipped to be pressing hard to make the breakthrough to the first team squad this season.
GEORGE EVANS (70) – Tall, elegant Manchester-born midfielder is the son of ex-City player and physio Ronnie and has already sat on the first-team bench for two Champions League ties.
ManCityFans.net 'Look at our promising youngsters' THREAD: viewtopic.php?f=119&t=46245
GOLDEN BOLLOX 9 July 2010
City’s £20m Drogba raid
MANCHESTER CITY are lining up a £20million bid for Didier Drogba.
City boss Roberto Mancini is a long-term admirer of the Chelsea striker.
The Ivory Coast star, 32, has not ruled out a move and a source said: "Chelsea will have to decide whether they want him to stay. City's offer will be tempting considering Didier's age."
Drogba would earn over £18m in three years if he chose to move to Eastlands.
The striker won the Golden Boot with 29 Premier League goals last term as Chelsea stormed to the title and FA Cup.
Drogba still has two years to run on his Stamford Bridge deal.
But if he was to leave the champions, Chelsea would be sure to make a move for Liverpool hitman Fernando Torres.
City have already lashed out £60m this summer on David Silva, Jerome Boateng and Yaya Toure.
Boss Mancini also wants Lazio full-back Aleksander Kolarov - though the Serb may prove too expensive.
Lazio president Claudio Lotito said: "In my opinion, he is worth as much as Mauro Zarate, who we paid around £18.7m for."
Villa eye Man City stars as part of Milner deal
Aston Villa have told Man City they will accept a player in part-exchange for James Milner.
City are set to return with a formal second offer for Villa's England midfielder later this month.
But the two clubs are struggling to agree a fee after City's first bid of £18million plus £2m in add-ons was rejected.
Villa are holding out for between £25-28m for the versatile midfielder, who has 11 caps.
But they have told City that Villa boss Martin O'Neill does fancy several fringe members of the Eastlands' club's squad.
Now it is increasingly likely Villa may take cash plus one of City's out-of-favour stars like Stephen Ireland, 23, or Nedum Onuoha, 23, in part-exchange.
O'Neill will need another attacking central midfielder to replace Milner, which makes Ireland attractive.
And Villa are also expected to buy a new right-back this summer with Luke Young heading for the exit.
Manchester City reject £16.7m offer for outcast Robinho from Besiktas
Manchester City have turned down an offer of £16.7m from Besiktas for their British record transfer signing Robinho.
The Brazilian spent the second half of last season on loan at Santos but has increased his market value with some impressive performances at the World Cup.
City do not expect Robinho to play for them again but want to recoup more of the £32.5m they paid Real Madrid for him in 2008.
The player himself is also believed to be reluctant to move to Turkey.
MANCHESTER CITY are eyeing a shock swoop for forgotten keeper Richard Wright.
The former England and Arsenal stopper is without a club after being released by Ipswich.
But Eastlands boss Roberto Mancini is considering signing Wright, 32, as goalkeeping back-up.
The Italian has still not decided whether Shay Given or Joe Hart will be his first choice next season. But he knows whoever is left out will almost certainly want to quit the club, either on a season loan or permanent transfer.
Given was No 1 last term while Hart went on loan to Birmingham.
City signed Sunderland's Marton Fulop on emergency loan after Given dislocated his shoulder in April but do not want to pay £1m to make the move permanent
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]Bale fires warning to Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United
Tottenham forward Gareth Bale is only focusing on becoming even better than he was last season and help his side reach the Champions League.
The Welshman was the best player in the Premier League last campaign, winning the PFA player of the year, but Spurs missed out on a spot in Europe’s premier club competition.
“I am hoping to improve from last season, every season I want to keep improving and keep becoming a better player, I have more experience now,” Bale told Sky Sports News.
“For me I need to keep working hard on the training pitch and on game days and hopefully progress as a player and become even better.”
Tottenham were pipped to a top-four spot by local rivals Arsenal last season, but Bale is determined to put that right this season.
“I think everyone at the club wants us to finish in the top four, the club wants to be in the top four and we need to go one better this season and finish in the top four.”
Chelsea switch sights to Premier League hitman after Cavani snub
After missing out on Edinson Cavani, the Blues are reportedly looking to take Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke to Stamford Bridge, beating Tottenham to his signature.
Bookmakers have slashed the price on Chelsea signing Aston Villa forward Christian Benteke after reports suggested the Blues have turned to the Belgian international after missing out, along with Manchester City, on long-term target Edinson Cavani.
Chelsea’s pursuit of the Napoli forward looks as though it is coming to an unsuccessful end, with the big-spending French champions Paris Saint-Germain at an advanced stage of negotiations for the forward, who appears set to complete a £53 million move to the Ligue 1 club.
PSG have agreed to pay the release clause in the Uruguayan’s contract, something that Chelsea were apparently reluctant to do, and it has left new Blues boss Joe Mourinho still searching for the marquee striker he has earmarked as he tries to improve his squad ahead of the new campaign.
And with Milan refusing to contemplate the sale of their own star striker Stephen El Shaarawy, also a reported Chelsea target, it now seems that Mourinho is setting his sights on Benteke.
The Villa striker enjoyed a brilliant first campaign in England, hitting 19 Premier League goals following his £7 million move from Genk last summer, and it has made him one of the hottest properties in the top flight.
Villa boss Paul Lambert has so far insisted that the 22-year-old is not for sale at any price, although with a bid in the region of £25 million believed to be enough for the Villans to do business, clubs are circling around Benteke.
Returning Blues boss Mourinho is also lining up a £40m move for Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, 26. Daily Mirror
Everton are expecting a new bid from Manchester United for defender Leighton Baines, 28. Guardian
Barcelona have launched a £30m bid for 26-year-old defender David Luiz - but Chelsea will refuse to sell him at that price. DSSC
But the Blues have been rebuffed by Real Madrid in their pursuit of Portuguese defender Pepe, 30. Independent
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew is willing to sacrifice centre-half Steven Taylor and pay around £6m for QPR's France international striker Loic Remy, 26. Daily Mirror
Manchester United target Kevin Strootman, 23, of PSV Eindhoven has confirmed "several clubs" are competing for his signature this summer - but none are the top teams in Europe. Metro
Sunderland's bid to sign Argentine full-back Gino Peruzzi, 21, from Velez Sarsfield appears to have hit a major snag, with the player demanding more money before he agrees a move to the Stadium of Light. TalkSHIT
Chelsea have had a second bid for Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy, 26, rejected. Daily Express
But the Canaries have targeted Celtic keeper Fraser Forster, 25, as a replacement if Ruddy does leave Carrow Road. Sun
Schalke midfielder Julian Draxler, 19, has opened the door on a possible move to Arsenal, Chelsea or Manchester City. Daily Star
Premier League newcomers Hull City's £4.5m move for Burnley striker Charlie Austin has collapsed - because of "unforeseen obstacles". Hull Daily Mail
Everton are considering a move for Paris St-Germain midfielder Clement Chantome, 25, amid rumours that Marouane Fellaini, 25, is to leave the club. RMC Sport
Monaco will not sign any more players this summer unless a "very interesting opportunity arises," according to sporting director Vadim Vasilyev. The club have spent about £112m in the current transfer window. L'Equipe
Swedish international Marcus Berg, 26, is to leave Panathinaikos for Hamburg on a three-year deal. Aftonbladet
French striker Anthony Modeste, 25, is leaving Bordeaux for German side Hoffenheim. Sud Ouest
Liverpool have held further talks with Luis Suarez's agent and reiterated their determination to keep the 26-year-old Uruguay striker at Anfield. DSSC
But Suarez told Reds boss Brendan Rodgers that he wants to leave Merseyside to play in the Champions League. Sun
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew insists he is "open-minded" about Joe Kinnear's appointment as director of football. Daily Express
Tottenham have given the clearest sign yet they will hang on to midfielder Gareth Bale, 23, this summer by using him to promote their new kit. Daily Star
Rio Ferdinand says there is "nowhere better to go" from Manchester United, but believes team-mate Wayne Rooney is "mature enough to make his own mind up" about his future. Guardian
Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen will miss the Gunners' pre-season trip to Asia and may not be fit for the start of the new season. Daily Mirror
Spurs fans' wait to see the club's new kit was briefer than expected after supplier Under Armour jumped the gun and released pictures of the shirt on their website before the official launch had taken place. Metro
GOLDEN BOLLOX 9 July 2011
Real Madrid offer Karim Benzema or Gonzalo Higuain to Manchester City as they open talks over a £50m swoop for Carlos Tevez
Spanish giants have offered £25m cash plus either of their two big-name strikers as bait to land wantaway Argentinian striker
Real Madrid have offered Gonzalo Higuain or Karim Benzema to Manchester City as part of a stunning £50 million swoop for Carlos Tevez, Goal.com can reveal.
The Spanish giants have opened tentative discussions with City over a possible swap deal, which includes £25m cash and one of the two big-name strikers moving to Eastlands.
Goal.com understands that sealing a deal for Tevez, who released a statement earlier this week to announce he wants to leave City this summer, is a bigger priority for Mourinho than signing Atletico Madrid’s Sergio Aguero, a transfer which is complicated by the rivalry between the two Madrid clubs.
The Portugese is not completely convinced by Benzema despite his 26-goal haul last season and is also concerned about the injury record of Higuain, who scored 13 goals in 25 games but missed four months of the campaign with a back injury.
Real value both players around the £25m mark but City manager Roberto Mancini will have the final say on whether he believes they will fit into his squad.
City are adamant that they value Tevez at £50m and will not allow him to leave for a reduced sum. The Premier League club are believed to have paid more than £40m to sign the 27-year-old from his third-party owners Media Sports Investment in 2009.
The talks between Real and City are at an early stage and will also have a significant bearing on the futures of Aguero and Emmanuel Adebayor, who is wanted by Mourinho but will be independent of a transfer involving Tevez.
City have already opened negotiations with Atletico about signing Aguero, who has a £40m release clause in his contract.
The Premier League club have no plans to pair up Aguero and Tevez and view the 23-year-old as a natural replacement for his international colleague rather than a potential strike partner.
After it emerged that Juventus had offered Atletico £32.5m for Diego Maradona’s son-in-law, the Spanish club claimed City had already bid £37m.
With January signing Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli already at Eastlands, it remains to be seen whether Mancini will regard either Benzema or Higuain as the player he needs to reinforce his squad.
However, City are keen to offload Adebayor, Craig Bellamy and Roque Santa-Cruz as they attempt to free up space in their squad and reduce their wage bill in order to meet the new financial fair play requirements.
It is understood that the Manchester club will not name any of their trio in their 25-man Premier League squad.
City are believed to have told Real that if they pull out of the race for Aguero that Adebayor will be offered to the Spaniards at a ‘discount’ rate, of between £6-8m.
The Togo international has indicated that he is willing to take a pay cut to force through a transfer to the Bernabeu. The former Arsenal man is believed to earn around £170,000-a-week at Eastlands
Garry Cook reveals plans for Manchester City success on and off the pitch
Manchester City chief executive Garry Cook has revealed there have been conversations between the club and UEFA over how they intend to meet new Financial Fair Play regulations.
Given the grandiose plans for land around the stadium, it is estimated Etihad Airways have pledged £300million over the next 10 years for a range of projects that include renaming City's home the Etihad Stadium.
Even so, it will not come close to wiping out losses in excess of £120million posted in City's last accounts, to May 2010, which leave them in jeopardy of failing to meet FFP.
However, Cook has confirmed an open dialogue with European football's power brokers and given the Blues' "aggressive" commercial plans, the gap is closing quickly.
"We have a very open dialogue with UEFA," said Cook.
"We have had several meetings with UEFA about our plans and they are very supportive of Manchester City's ambition.
"There are many football clubs who have the backdrop of regulation that is being placed into the world of football.
"We are no different to any other football club."
A special Airbus-330, with a City livery, will fly between Manchester and Abu Dhabi as part of the deal, which also includes an extension to Etihad's present shirt sponsorship and the renaming of an area around City's stadium, now known as the 'Etihad Campus'.
It all forms part of an ultra-ambitious plan to gatecrash Europe's elite clubs.
Owner Sheikh Mansour has invested in excess of £1billion so far, including the acquisition of the club three years ago, and has been rewarded with a place in next season's Champions League plus the FA Cup, City's first trophy in 35 years.
He has already shelled out on two signings this week in Gael Clichy and Stefan Savic, although that duo would be eclipsed by the arrival of Samir Nasri, with fresh reports surfacing in Italy that a fee has been agreed with Arsenal, which City are yet to respond to.
Having made the mistake of trumpeting rather too loudly his view of City's future direction, and been left with egg on his face when Manchester United beat the Blues in a 2010 Carling Cup semi-final, Cook is wary of saying too much at such an early stage of the summer.
"I have got into trouble with this one before," he laughed.
"We will look to continue our growth, on and off the pitch.
"Our ambition for next year means we are competing in a new competition - the Champions League - plus the three others.
"We will endeavour to be successful in all four."
GOLDEN WAG
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