ROUND-UP
A few familiar names return to this morning’s media round-up as we edge closer to the conclusion of the transfer window.
After the capture of Fernandinho this summer, the Blues are said to be keen to add another Brazilian midfielder to the ranks in Anzhi’s Willian – if a report in the Daily Express is to be believed.
City are said to have moved quickly to secure the 24-year-old’s services ahead of Tottenham and Chelsea, but are likely to have to pay market price despite Anzhi’s desire to sell some star players.
Writes Ben Jefferson: “Reports in Brazil suggest City have already lodged a £35m bid in an attempt to beat out their Premier League rivals.
“And while Anzhi are thought to have rejected City's initial offer, according to ESPN Brazil it is only a matter of time before the Citizens come back with an improved offer.
“Willian cost Anzhi approximately £30m at the start of year and, despite their current difficulties, the club are not thought to be willing to part with any of their assets for below market value.”
Elsewhere, Scott Sinclair could be moving closer to a move to West Brom – according to the Daily Telegraph.
Albion are said to have made an offer to take the winger on loan for the upcoming season, but City could hold out for a permanent move.
“Steve Clarke, the Albion manager, is keen to complete the signing of Sinclair before Saturday’s Premier League opener against Southampton and has made an offer to take the 24-year-old on loan with a view to a permanent £4million move next summer,” writes the paper’s John Percy.
“City have rejected the opening offer as Albion are not prepared to pay the £2 million loan fee while the clubs are also believed to be some way apart on funding Sinclair’s salary.
“Albion are expected to return with another proposal within 48 hours, with Clarke identifying the former Swansea wide man as a priority signing after failing to persuade Salomon Kalou to leave Lille.
“Manuel Pellegrini, the City manager, will allow Sinclair to leave the Etihad Stadium but is determined to recoup £6million and would ideally prefer a permanent deal.
“Clarke has moved to make a firm offer in an attempt to head off interest from rival Premier League clubs including Everton, Newcastle, Stoke, West Ham and their opponents this weekend.”
Finally, Real Madrid defender Pepe has been linked again and again (and again) with a move to the Etihad Stadium this summer, but speaking after his side’s 3-0 win over Inter Milan, the Portuguese said he was ready to fight for a starting berth at the Bernabeu.
Goal.com’s Cronan Yu reports: “Manchester City have also been credited with an interest in Pepe, 30, with Manuel Pellegrini keen to strengthen his back line. Pepe claims the thought of a transfer has not crossed his mind after praising new boss Ancelotti, though.
“‘I have signed a contract with Madrid, my future is an issue for the president,’ Pepe said. ‘I just train hard and try to give my best for the team. I am ready to fight for my place.’”
Niall Quinn: Pellegrini's 'tender loving care' will nurse City to Premier League glory
Former Blues hero Quinn has tipped the new manager to mark his first season in English football as a champion – by taking away the “edginess” of previous boss Roberto Mancini
Manuel Pellegrini’s “tender loving care” will nurse City all the way to the Premier League title.
Former Blues hero Niall Quinn has tipped the new manager to mark his first season in English football as a champion – by taking away the “edginess” of previous boss Roberto Mancini.
“I like what Pellegrini is about and what he has at his disposal at City,” said Quinn.
“I think he has a dressing room that needed a bit of TLC.
“I think he is a very charismatic man. I was out in Hong Kong and I watched him in action around the players. Holistic is a word I would use to describe his interaction with the players.
“And I think that was what that dressing room badly needed. They are good enough to win it.
“They had a very, very difficult year under an edgy manager.
“Mancini appeared to be on the edge quite a lot and that bored through onto his team, but this man will do the opposite.
“He’s also brought in his own couple of signings, players who he knew from Malaga and who know what he wants. His blip at Real Madrid was just that. A question mark but I like their chances.
“I also think Negredo is going to be a wonderful signing.”
Man City keeper Joe Hart calls it like he sees it
Joe Hart has a habit of littering conversation with the phrase "to be honest." Few words could be more redundant because the Manchester City and England goalkeeper is a straight-talking truth teller, traits which make him the somewhat rare footballer who speaks a lot of common sense.
The 26-year-old may be in the midst of preparing for the new season under the watchful eye of recently arrived manager Manuel Pellegrini, yet the disappointment of last year's damp squib of a campaign still lingers. Asked which hurt most, City's failure to defend the Premier League title, impotent Champions League challenge or stunning loss to Wigan in the FA Cup final, Hart's response is instantaneous.
"All of it hurts," he declared, "but you have to understand, even when we won the league, the experience did not last too long because you immediately have to focus on the things you need to improve. I'll admit it was tough last year, but right now, we are focused on the future."
Hart pauses to process his response before adding a qualifier which sheds light on Manchester City's self-perception as a club still in the midst of a radical overhaul, nearly five years after its takeover by Abu Dhabi-based Sheikh Mansour. "This is all new for us," he admitted. "It's not like we have been hunting in the league for many, many years ... we have only been in the Champions League twice, so we are still learning.
"Having said that, we can't settle for it anymore."
The goalkeeper is similarly candid when asked to assess his own performance last season. "It was not a brilliant year for me," he said. "When you get to the top of the game, you reach a point where you are under a lot more scrutiny but I am used to that now. You have to make it drive you on as a player."
In City's title-winning season, Hart had appeared as a defiant safeguard. Last year, his consistency slipped. The vision of a frustrated Hart patiently explaining his errors to the media became an all-too regular one. "I'm not proud of making mistakes," he explained, "but they happen and you cannot lie when millions of people have seen it so you have to be big enough to own up. At the same time, know I would prefer not to be standing there talking about mistakes. I would prefer to be talking proudly about my performances."
When strikers confront a dip in form, they often talk about the need for "confidence" that will lead to the return of the goal-scoring touch which has deserted them. I asked Hart if goalkeepers feel likewise. "It is different for us," he said. "In our position, you can play amazingly and lose 5-0 or you can play badly and win 1-0 in a game where the ball hits you in the face in the last minute and you look like a hero."
Hart will approach the campaign with a new goalkeeping coach, Xabier Mancisidor, and his panacea involves retaining focus -- a challenge which sounds all the more demanding this season with the World Cup looming. "Brazil will be amazing to be involved in, but there is so much going on at our clubs," he said. "The focus always has to be on your next game so you are always locked in on the present."
Under the departed Roberto Mancini, the expensively assembled City squad was perceived to be ability-rich but lacking in collective cohesion, a notion which Hart rejected. "We do have loads of talent but there's a lot of good spirit in this group. Sometimes the league is hard and does not go your way," he explained. "It is really tough week in and week out. We did not win games when we needed to. It is that simple ... sometimes, you realize you are not going to win every fight."
The $152 million the club have invested in reinforcements including the potentially dazzling combination of Jesus Navas, Fernandinho, Álvaro Negredo and Stevan Jovetic, have encouraged most bookmakers to install City as title favorites. Hart is quick to manage expectations. "We have to get to know the (new players) and they need to learn what the club stands for and how it works so they respect and understand what we expect from each other in order to do business and feel like we are all here for the same purpose."
Asked if he experiences the weight of expectation, the goalkeeper's response was enlightening. "It is always going to be heavy. It has been for years. That is football at the top. You want people to want you to fail. It eggs you on."
City are not the only team in transition in the season that lies ahead. Last season, Hart had referred to Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United team as a "killing machine." Asked if he expects that to continue in Ferguson's absence, the goalkeeper's answer is blunt. "They will be the same old thing. United are United," he declared. "Sir Alex was a big deal but life will go on for them. Their foundation has been laid. They have bought in a good manager. David Moyes has come in and will not just be looking at winning the league but to take over Europe again, We must get in the way. That is our job."
A straight talker he may be, but we wrap up by testing Hart's ability to forecast the future. Asked to predict what the Premier League table will look like come May 2014, Hart takes a deep breath and hesitates before responding for the first time since our conversation began. "Hopefully, it will end with us on top," he said before taking a second deep breath, "We have a lot of hard work between now and then."
Losing start
Patrick Vieira’s reign as elite development squad manager got off to a losing start as Fulham won the opening Barclay’s Under-21 Premier League fixture 2-1 at Hyde.
With first team boss Manuel Pellegrini popping in to the dressing room to wish the team well before kick-off, the Blues began brightly and deserved a half-time lead after Hulme lad Jordi Hiwula netted after excellent work from French youngster Seko Fofana.
But City lost their way in the second-half, and two defensive lapses saw a Cauley Woodrow brace give Kit Symons’ Fulham side the points.
CITY: Gunn, Facey (Drury 89), Bossaerts, Denayer, Leigh, Huws, Fofana, Rusnak, Hiwula (Cole 68), Lopes (Ntcham 68), Bytyqi.
^ CITY’S Denzeil Boadu lit up the Under-17 Nordic Tournament with a hat-trick as England beat hosts Norway 4-0 at the weekend.
Manchester City set for second Willian offer
Manchester City are poised to increase their offer for Anzhi Makhachkala star Willian, according to reports in Brazil.
The 24-year-old only joined the Anzhi in January from Shakhtar Donetsk but could move on after it was announced the Russian side would be drastically trimming their budget.
The Brazilian has been heavily linked with both Tottenham and Chelsea in the past, and was close to a move to White Hart Lane last summer.
Now ESPN Brazil say Manchester City are preparing to lodge a second offer for Willian having already had a bid in the region of £35 million turned down.
Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas and Willian have a close friendship, and the Portuguese tried to land the playmaker while he was still in charge at Stamford Bridge.
Tottenham have been linked with a move for the former Shakhtar star once again this summer and could move to sign him, while Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini has confirmed his summer spending isn't over despite having already splashed £90 million on the likes of Alvaro Negredo and Willian's former team-mate Fernandinho.
Italian Giants Juventus Line Up Move For Manchester City Full-Back
Manchester City are bracing themselves for a bid for Serbian left-back Aleksandar Kolarov from Italian champions Juventus, reports Forza Italian Football.
The 27-year-old only managed 11 Premier League starts in the 2012/13 season, and the Citizens could be ready to cut their losses on the player they shelled out a massive €18.6m for in 2010.
Juventus are prepared to bid €12m for the dynamic Serb, which seems more than fair for a player who has struggled to nail down a first-team place in England. The Old Lady have already spent impressively this summer, bringing in Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente to name a few; but their desire to compete for a Champions League title means they continue to seek new talent.
Despite his attacking prowess and impressive ability from set-pieces, Kolarov’s defensive misgivings mean he has played understudy to Frenchman Gael Clichy ever since the ex-Arsenal man arrived at the Etihad in 2011. Under Roberto Mancini, Kolarov was actually often used as an attacking substitute, as he regularly overlaps a left-winger and provides a viable crossing option with his mercurial left-foot.
During his time at Lazio, Kolarov quickly established himself as one of the most sought-after fullbacks in Europe, but like many other defenders moving from Serie A to the Premier League – the Serb struggled to adapt to its pace and physicality. Marco Materazzi, Andrea Dossena and Per Kroldrup have all proven themselves far more capable defenders in Italy than they ever did in England, and it could be the case that a move to the Old Lady will revitalise Kolarov’s career.
The full-back made 88 appearances for City, scoring an impressive 11 goals. If he completed a transfer to Juventus, Kolarov would follow Tevez in moving from the Etihad to the Juventus stadium this summer. The Bianconeri have already secured Federico Peluso to compete for the left-back slot this transfer window, but the temptation to bring Kolarov back to Italy could prove too much.
GOLDEN BOLLOX 12-8-2010
Manchester City block Fulham approach for England goalkeeper Joe Hart
Fulham will be rebuffed in any attempt to sign Joe Hart from Manchester City.
The England international had been considered as a replacement for Arsenal-bound Mark Schwarzer but City have made it clear they will not entertain a bid to take Hart either on loan or in a permanent deal.
Fulham are also interested in David James but he is considering a player-coach role at Portsmouth.
City, meanwhile, have re-signed third choice goalkeeper Stuart Taylor, 29, on a two year deal - nine days after he was released by the club.Taylor made one first-team appearance for City last term and missed the end of the season with a knee injury.
Shakhtar Donetsk are keen on Manchester City outcast Robinho but are wary of the Brazil star's wage demands. The Ukrainian champions would offer about £20million for the 26-year-old who is also wanted by Besiktas but has expressed a desire to return to Santos.
Manchester City want Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko, 24, to bolster their forward line but have baulked at the £34m asking price. However, a player-plus-cash deal involving Roque Santa Cruz could be one option. (Daily Telegraph)
TWITCHY BOLLOX
Harry knows the game is up when city start spending
On Newstalk last week, Harry Redknapp sighed with impassive acceptance that it was only a matter of time before Manchester City bought the Premier League title.
Harry has always been consistent on this relationship between football and money. His creed is simple. You don't shop for period furniture in IKEA, just as you don't take Elle McPherson to lunch in a Little Chef. Success comes with a price tag and he who pays most almost always wins.
Harry is easy to like. He may live in a huge mansion in Poole, landscaped gardens running down to a private jetty, but he is still -- essentially -- an East London boy. It shows in his management style. He has made his name in football on often hyperactive trading and resolutely old-school communication.
Harry knows the business of football better than most so, if he says that parting with enough Abu Dhabi dirham to fill a swimming pool will secure the league pennant for City, then he's probably not wrong.
Right now, the club spends money like a betrayed wife who's just happened upon her husband's pin. Roberto Mancini barely stops to eat he's so busy welcoming new purchases to Eastlands. Last week, Yaya Toure -- a midfielder Barcelona were happy to offload -- signed up for £30m and a weekly salary of £240,000.
City seem drawn to expensive superstars like Imelda Marcos was to shoes.
All of which must be surreal and rather wonderful for fans reared on the chairmanship of Peter Swales and almost monthly sackings. Just as Chelsea got dragged from a sickbed by strange hands in the summer of '03, so City now exult in a mysterious benefactor.
But isn't it a little odd to observe this latest Pimp-My-Club at a time when the World Cup has just passed with, face it, pretty minimal Premier League involvement at the business stages?
Emphatically the best English-based performer in South Africa this past month was Dirk Kuyt, a man whose detractors say has the first touch of a mule in clogs.
Personally, I think Kuyt represents a fading remnant of decency in the English game. He is a perfectly civilized chap who plays with the work ethic of a Sherpa and the humility of a social worker. If anything, he comes across as far too grounded and decent for his profession.
So what did the World Cup tell us about England and its endless Sky Sports drum roll?
Remember, the Champions League semi-finals passed without English involvement this year and not a single member of the PFA Team of the Year made any tangible impact in South Africa (save maybe Patrice Evra's stab at industrial relations).
The two giants of the North West, Manchester United and Liverpool, are mired in such debt it's as if their books have been kept by teams of national school children. In fact, just about every club in the Premier League has the kind of eccentric vanity to its finances that would make Hyacinth Bucket blush.
This, presumably, is what's reaped from decades of denial. Ten years ago, it was estimated that roughly 50pc of all professional clubs in Britain were "technically insolvent". Yet, when the Leeds collapse happened, everyone, rather bizarrely, seemed to think of it as something islanded and unique, just a reckless chairman borrowing £60m against anticipated income streams that would never materialise.
Well what do you know? Turns out Peter Ridsdale wasn't the only one playing Monopoly. Which brings us back to Harry.
He was manager at West Ham when the club sold Rio Ferdinand to Leeds for £18m. The small print of that deal is forensically explored in Tom Bower's remarkable book 'Broken Dreams -- Vanity, Greed and the Souring of British Football'.
Terry Brown, the property developer owner of the club, agreed to pay Harry £300,000 to compensate for Ferdinand's departure. Yet, destabilised by the loss of their best player, the club went into free-fall and Redknapp began demanding cash for transfers.
He got a combined £4.7m to buy Titi Camara and Rigobert Song from Liverpool, the former on wages of £30,000 a week. Neither proved a success. In fact, of 10 players signed for a total of £10.3m after Ferdinand's departure, not one would be deemed worth retaining. This, remember, was 2000. Within two years, West Ham's annual wage bill had soared to £30m.
By then, admittedly, Harry had been relieved of his duties. Nine years earlier, he had resigned as Bournemouth manager, the club having been relegated to the Third Division, burdened with a massive debt and -- incredibly for the time -- an annual wage bill of almost £1m.
Now latterly, it should be said, Harry's story has taken a dramatic rise. He did splendidly at Portsmouth, winning the FA Cup. And his transformation of Tottenham from relegation candidates to a Champions League team was, arguably, the managerial performance of last season.
He was even linked in recent weeks with the Liverpool and England jobs.
His star has never flown higher then, but his history is wrapped up in precisely the culture of over-spending that has the English game on a narrow ledge now. So his take on City is probably worth hearing.
And the Premier League Harry depicts isn't one concerned with long-term planning, but one obsessed with a short-term fix. The more you spend, the classier company you keep. So Abu Dhabi will, eventually, have its silverware.
That said, it's hard to know exactly what a Premier League title would mean to the older generation of Manchester City supporter. These things, after all, are supposed to be punctuation marks in history, not high-street purchases.
And right now, English football's greatest prize is, essentially, a Paris Hilton dress.
West Brom hopeful of signing Man City winger Sinclair
West Bromwich Albion will offer Scott Sinclair a way out of Manchester City, the Daily Telegraph has reported, with Head Coach Steve Clarke keen to seal the signing before the Baggies’ first Premier League fixture of the new season.
The Albion play Southampton on Saturday and Clarke is hopeful of wrapping up the deal to sign Sinclair before then, with a fee of £4m mooted following a season-long loan at the Hawthorns. City have however rejected West Brom’s initial approach, with West Brom reluctant to pay the £2m loan fee demanded by Manuel Pellegrini’s club.
Pellegrini will let Sinclair leave, the newspaper adds, but would prefer an immediate permanent move and wants a fee closer to £6m. And West Brom are not the only Premier League side chasing the former Swansea City forward, with Everton, Newcastle, Stoke, West Ham and Southampton said to be monitoring the situation.
Sinclair left Swansea for City last summer but struggled to make an impact at the Etihad Stadium, making only 15 appearances - 12 of which came as a substitute.
Clarke confirmed he hoped to have either the signing of Sinclair or Udinese forward Matej Vydra completed by the weekend, and did not rule out the possibility of snapping up both within the week. “It would be nice to think we can get one in before Saturday,” Clarke said.
“If we can get two in, it would be great. If I can get three, I would be delighted,” he added. “I know we have until September 2. At the moment I must confess I’m a bit anxious, but I’m not panicking yet. By and large the targets we’ve identified we haven’t been able to persuade to come so far. Some of them have maybe been too expensive.”
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]Pardew’s backing his Newcastle stars to shine on opening night
Alan Pardew has no qualms about the shape of his Newcastle United team going into next Monday’s big Premier League opener against Manchester City.
Newcastle signed off from pre-season with a 1-1 draw against SC Braga on Saturday.
Pardew said he was satisfied enough with the outcome of the friendly contest.
The whole world will be watching next week when the Magpies face a tough opening night assignment at the Etihad Stadium in Manuel Pellegrini’s first game in charge of moneybags City.
Indeed, City are expecting a packed press box as the Chilean begins his assault on the Premier League title after a summer of big-money buys.
But Pardew hopes his own big name players can shine in front of the TV cameras with the Toon boss so far managing to hold on to his stars.
As the countdown to the big kick-off continued today, Pardew told the Chronicle: “The big players look in good nick and hopefully we can put a team out at Man City that represents the pre-season that we’ve had.
“They will be the ones that will carry us through the season.
“Coloccini, Steven Taylor, Mapou, the two keepers, Cabaye looks like he’s got the bit between his teeth and Hatem looks stronger every game.”
United looked flat for long periods of the first half against Braga and trailed at the break to a penalty from Brazilian star Alan.
But Fabricio Coloccini’s equaliser saved face for Newcastle, meaning they have lost just once in seven pre-season matches.
Pardew reflected: “In the first half we treated it like a friendly. In the second half we didn’t and we were a lot more at it, more positive and more aggressive.
“That showed.
“That’s what we are going to have to be like at Man City if we are going to win the game.
“So I’m pleased that some of our big players done well.”
United have also managed to get through the summer without incurring any major injuries.
Jonas Gutierrez did injure his abductor muscle against Braga, but Pardew has options ahead of the battle with Man City.
He said: “I am satisfied in terms of where we are at. The Braga game showed that we are strong and fit. Everybody looks in good focus.
“Like all pre-season games it is difficult to assess the team because the opposition were a different type of team.
“The ref was stop-start a bit too much.”
Manchester United are ready to enter the race to sign Tottenham star Gareth Bale, 24, who is still wanted by Real Madrid. Independent
Barcelona will make a final offer for Chelsea defender David Luiz, 26, this week, amid reports he wants reassurances about his future from Blues boss Jose Mourinho. Daily Mirror
Chelsea are confident of signing striker Wayne Rooney, 27, from Manchester United but are weighing up a move for Anzhi Makhachkala forward Samuel Eto'o, 32, as a back up. Daily Express
Arsenal are closing in on the capture of Brazil midfielder Luiz Gustavo from Bayern Munich in a £14m deal. Telegraph
Arsenal are set to make Luis Suarez, 26, their highest paid player if they can push through the move from Liverpool. According to reports in Uruguay, Arsene Wenger has drawn up a four-year contract worth £160,000 a week for the striker to sign. Metro
But Tottenham could also be set to move for Luis Suarez once the Gareth Bale saga is finally concluded. People
Tottenham could also make a £15m double bid for Ajax midfielder Christian Eriksen, 21, and 24-year-old defender Toby Alderweireld. Both are also targets for Liverpool. Mirror
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will try to tie up a £14m deal for Bayern Munich's midfielder Luiz Gustavo, 26, after admitting the club finally need to start spending in the transfer window. DSSC
Manchester United boss David Moyes is preparing an increased bid for his former Everton left-back Leighton Baines, 28. Express
Queens Park Rangers have been told it will cost them £6m to land England striker Jermain Defoe, 30, from Tottenham. DSSC
Sunderland must go back in with a £2.5m cash offer for Charis Mavrias if they want to sign the 19-year-old Panathinaikos winger. Mirror
Tottenham are poised to renew their interest in £8m-rated Blackpool winger Tom Ince, 21. Sun
Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, who both have fitness concerns, will play 45 minutes each at Wembley on Wednesday as England take on Scotland. Mirror
Manchester United manager David Moyes says there is no rift between the club and Rooney. Sunday Telegraph
Robin van Persie has urged Rooney to remain at Manchester United and says he joined the club to play alongside the striker. Sun
Gareth Bale's no-show at Tottenham's friendly with Espanyol is being played down by manager Andre Villas-Boas, who says the Wales international, 24, was "under no obligation" to attend. Observer
Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas refused to be drawn any further on the future of Real Madrid target Bale - but stressed the forward would link up with Wales next week. Sky Sports
Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre spent his entire flight to Dublin for the club's pre-season friendly with Celtic being urged to sell Suarez by supporters. Observer
Edinson Cavani took out a full advert in Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport to thank the club's supporters for "1,000 unforgettable days" following his £55m move to Paris St-Germain. DSSC
GOLDEN BOLLOX 12-8- 1979
As part of the agreement that brought Polish star Kazimierz Deyna to Manchester, City take on Legia Warsaw at Maine Road for an ‘international friendly’. The game attracts a crowd of less than 15,000 and the Blues lose 2-1.
Sunderland and West Ham could be set to sign Vydra, who spent last season on loan at Watford, scoring 20 goals. Metro
The Black Cats are also interested in trying to sign 30-year-old Juventus forward Fabio Quagliarella, who has also been linked with Norwich. Times
Liverpool are hopeful of completing the signing of Granada left-back Guilherme Siqueira, 27, for a fee believed to be around £6m. Liverpool Echo
Reds defender Daniel Agger, 28, would be interested in a move to Barcelona, according to his representatives. DSSC
Premier League newcomers Hull are set to sign Wolves striker Kevin Doyle for £3m if the 29-year-old takes a 50% pay cut on his £40,000-a-week wages. Daily Mirror
Sheffield Wednesday have entered the race to sign 27-year-old striker Billy Sharp, who is a Sheffield United fan, from Southampton. Daily Express
QPR have had a bid accepted by Argentine club Estudiantes for 22-year-old striker Duvan Zapata. Daily Mirror
Striker Luis Suarez refuses to apologise to Liverpool and sees no way back for him at the Merseyside club. Daily Mirror
The top divisions in England, Spain, Germany, France and Italy have written to Fifa to oppose the 2022 World Cup in Qatar being played in winter. DSSC
Manchester United right-back Rafael da Silva is set to be sidelined for "four to five weeks" after suffering a hamstring injury in his side's 2-0 win over Wigan in the Community Shield. Daily Telegraph
Inter Milan and Napoli are interested in signing striker Samuel Eto'o, 32, from Anzhi Makhachkala. La Stampa
Former centre back Breno, 23, is to take on a job at Bayern Munich while on day release from prison where he is serving a sentence for arson. Die Welt
Angel Di Maria, 25, has told Real Madrid that he wants to stay at the club. The winger has been touted as part of a possible part exchange for Tottenham's Gareth Bale. Marca
The weight of expectation has proven too great for Antonio Valencia at Manchester United and he has requested to change his shirt number from seven. Instead, the former Wigan winger will wear 25 for the forthcoming season. This is also prompting speculation that Cristiano Ronaldo could also be set to return to Old Trafford. Metro
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]GOLDEN BOLLOX 12-8-2003
Antoine Sibierski scores his first goal in City colours as City reserves draw 1-1 with Wolves at Hyde. A decent crowd of 943 turn out to see the opening game of the campaign. Sibierski went on to play for Norwich City, Newcastle United and Wigan Athletic after his time at City.
BIRTHDAY-BOY BOLLOX
Mario Balotelli unveils pet pig to fans but admits he doesn’t know if it’s male or female
Mario Balotelli has signed up the latest member of his madcap world after taking on a pet pig.
While many opt for a cat or a dog as a welcome addition to a family, Balotelli’s choice of pet fits in with his well-known wild behaviour.
The striker has a history of crazy purchases, having previously bought a jet ski and a pool table after his mother sent him out to simply buy a new iron.
But Balotelli is clearly no expert yet, after admitting he has no idea whether the cute animal is a male or female – so he has simply named it Super.
Mario seemed to know all about it when he announced the news, writing on Twitter: ‘Finally my little pig arrived! She is only 2 month old! Is a she but i called her SUPER! ;-).’
However, that was swiftly followed up with a tweet suggesting the matter wasn’t that clear cut.
Oops: Balotelli admits he doesn’t know the sex
‘Actually can’t find the willy so i think is a she ahahaha but maybe a he! Ahaha.’
It remains to be seen what will happen to Super when it grows up from cute piglet into fully grown pig, but it’s bound to be a whacky adventure along the way.
MORE BOLLOX LATER ....
