Man United and Man City to attempt to scupper Iniesta contract talks
RIVALS Manchester United and Manchester City are to wedge a spanner in the works before Andres Iniesta signs a new deal with Barcelona.
The Premier League sides are set to take advantage of the delay in Iniesta's contract renewal with the Spanish champions.
The Spain international has spent his entire career at the Nou Camp and has dismissed suggestions that he will leave, but that won't stop the Mancunian outfits from tempting the creative midfielder.
You have to be where you want to be, and Barca is the place for me.
The 29-year-old spoke of his career prospects ahead of Spain's World Cup qualifier against Georgia in light of the transfer speculations.
"You have to be where you want to be, and Barca is the place for me," Iniesta told Movistar's webpage.
"The club knows that and wants me to stay, so I hope and expect to spend the years I have left playing there."
Mesut Ozil moved from La Liga to the Premier League in the summer [GETTY]
If Iniesta was to move to England he would follow in the footsteps of Mesut Ozil who left Real Madrid to Arsenal in the summer, but the Spaniard was surprised to see the German leave La Liga.
"I was surprised Real Madrid sold him," he added.
"Right now he is one of the best in the world when it comes to linking up with and getting the most out of other players."
Tata Martino - who has secured a 100% record to the start of the campaign - could be another reason to keep Iniesta at Barca.
"Tata has come in and kept things ticking along," he added. "The philosophy he believes in and gets across is very similar to the one we have had all along.
"I am hoping for a great year and that is the way things are shaping up."
The Lion Hart is ready: Joe shows off his skills ahead of Poland clash
England goalkeeper Joe Hart showed he is back to his cheerful, fun-loving self at training on Monday.
Some uncharacteristic errors for Manchester City had left the 26-year-old under pressure going into the Wembley clash with Montenegro last Friday, but a confident display in England’s 4-1 win seems to have given Hart his old swagger back.
One more commanding performance tonight and he can start planning to show off his fancy moves in Brazil.
Aguero, Yaya boost for Blues
Manchester City have received a boost after striker Sergio Aguero was rested from Argentina’s final World Cup qualifying game, while Ivory Coast ace Yaya Toure is also back with the Blues.
Manchester City have received a boost after striker Sergio Aguero was rested from Argentina’s final World Cup qualifying game.
With the national team already through to the finals, the Blues sharp-shooter was released from the squad, along with Real Madrid star Angel di Maria, to give both players some respite from a hectic schedule, and protect them from possible disciplinary problems.
Teammate Pablo Zabaleta has remained with the squad, but is set to sit on the bench as Argentina boss Alex Sabella fields a team full of fringe players when they take on Uruguay tonight.
Yaya Toure will also spend the week with City after returning to Manchester yesterday following Ivory Coast’s 3-1 win over Senegal on Saturday.
The last time City’s stars scattered for an international break, they returned to put in a lack-lustre display at Stoke, when they were lucky to leave the Britannia Stadium with a goalless draw.
The busy schedule means manager Manuel Pellegrini needs all four of his strikers in good form, and the World Cup qualifiers have seen them all sharpening their talons.
Aguero helped his team ensure qualification with a 3-1 win over Peru, while Edin Dzeko helped Bosnia-Herzegovina to the brink of their first major finals with two goals in a 4-1 win over Liechtenstein.
Bosnia can book their flight to Brazil if they beat Lithuania tonight.
But it is Alvaro Negredo who continues to impress the most, after he scored a vital second goal against Belarus to keep world champions Spain on track to qualify.
The City striker has now scored nine international goals in 18 appearances – one every 78 minutes – to head the list of Spain’s most prolific strikers.
A point against Georgia in Albacete tonight will secure Spain’s place in the finals, and Negredo is well aware that, despite his excellent record, he needs a good season for City to ensure he is at the forefront of Vicente del Bosque’s mind next summer.
“The competition is really tough,” he said.
“There are a lot of top players in the reckoning, so when you go out on the pitch you try to give it your best shot.”
Mancini plans swoop on Man City in January window
Former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is eyeing a reunion with Aleksandar Kolarov at Galatasaray.
Mancini, who is now in charge of the Turkish club, signed Kolarov from Lazio in 2010 during his time at City.
The Serbia international has, at times, failed to hold down a regular first-team place at the Etihad, although he has started five league matches under Manuel Pellegrini this term.
Mancini is still a fan of the 27-year-old and is keen to bring him to Galatasaray, according to sources in Turkey.
The Italian manager will look to sign Kolarov in January and hopes a bid of around £6.5m will be enough to prise the defender away from the Etihad.
[spoiler]Anelka's wife ...
[/spoiler]French striker Loic Remy, 26, could complete a permanent £6m switch to Newcastle in January. Daily Mirror
Arsenal will be offered Real Madrid's French striker Karim Benzema, 25, at a bargain £20m in January as the Spanish club step up their bid to sign Luis Suarez, 26, from Liverpool. Metro
Wilfried Zaha, 20, is seeking a loan move away from Manchester United in the January transfer window. Daily Telegraph
Tottenham are keen to sign Manchester United's Mexican striker Javier Hernandez, 25, and will fund a move with the sale of Emmanuel Adebayor, 29. Independent
Italian side Lazio are ready to compete with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United for Aston Villa's Belgian striker Christian Benteke, 22. Daily Star
Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen, 27, says he would consider leaving Arsenal in January to improve his chances of playing in the 2014 World Cup finals. the Times
Juventus have told Chelsea that they will have to pay around £40m for midfielder Paul Pogba, 20 if they want to sign him in January. Daily Express
Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes, 31, will snub a summer move to Arsenal and instead hopes to finish his career in the French league with big-spenders Monaco. Metro
Stoke City have been linked with a January move for Portsmouth midfielder Jed Wallace, 19. Stoke Sentinel
Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale, 24, will struggle for form this year, according to Wales manager Chris Coleman. Daily Mirror
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, 21, has warned Chelsea that he is not prepared to be a back-up to Petr Cech, 31, when his loan spell at Atletico Madrid ends next year. London's Evening Standard
Former Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson has told his replacement David Moyes that harmony among his backroom staff is the key to success. Daily Mirror
England under-21 manager Gareth Southgate believes in a cap on foreign talent playing below the Premier League, but has "no idea" whether such a proposal is legally enforceable. Daily Express
Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland, 20, who recently joined Barnsley on loan until January, believes young English talent is being helped by the loan system. Daily Star
Fulham owner Shahid Khan says is prepared to exercise patience with manager Martin Jol amid growing pressure following the club's disappointing start to the Premier League season. London's Evening Standard
Real Madrid have set their sights on Porto striker Jackson Martinez, 26. Porto have previously rejected offers for the Colombian from Manchester United and Naples. Marca
Manchester United and Barcelona are eyeing Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke, 21, who has been described as the "new Xavi" because of his "enormous capabilities". Bild
Germany striker Miroslav Klose, 35, says he could return to FC Kaiserslautercan after his contract with Italian side Lazio expires in 2014. Die Welt
An injury to Tottenham winger Andros Townsend, 22, will prompt Roy Hodgson to change his England line-up for Tuesday's World Cup qualifier against Poland. Independent
England captain Steven Gerrard, 33, has praised Roy Hodgson for eradicating his side's fear factor. Times
Gerrard says he will be the proudest man in the country if he can lead England to the 2014 World Cup finals with victory over Poland. DSSC
Arsenal Midfielder Jack Wilshere, 21, is poised for a shock recall to the England team - with Chelsea's Frank Lampard, 35, set to miss out. Daily Star
Winger Jakub Blaszczykowski, 27, says the extra fans inside Wembley could lift Poland out of the doldrums and help them deliver a famous result to match their draw in 1973. Daily Express
Former Manchester United goalkeeper Mark Bosnich, 41, has urged his old manager Alex Ferguson to take charge of the Australian national side. Metro
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