ROUND-UP
The transfer window is eight days old. We've heard plenty of tales so far but what gossip can we bring you today...?
We'll start with the 'news' that City and Arsenal are said to be interested in Celtic defender, Virgil van Dijk.
According to Blair Esson of the Express: "Both clubs have sent scouts to monitor the impressive form of the Dutchman this season.
"The Hoops signed van Dijk for just £1.6m from Groningen last summer and have put him on a long deal.
"He is contracted to three more seasons with them, with an option for another year. The 22-year-old’s form has impressed Celtic manager Neil Lennon so much that he expects a call to come from Netherlands counterpart Louis van Gaal."
Moving on... the future of Joleon Lescott has once again made headlines but today, there seem to be contrasting stories flying around.
The interest in the defender has been one of the top tales in this transfer window so far but whilst some are suggesting that he could be on his way out, others are claiming that Manuel Pellegrini has no intention of letting him go.
Whilst the Manchester Evening News write: "Joleon Lescott’s Manchester City future is in the balance", the Sun argue: "Manuel Pellegrini has told West Ham to forget about signing Joleon Lescott any time soon."
According to Stuart Brennan of the MEN: "West Ham are hopeful that City will accept an offer to take the player on loan until the end of the season, paying his full wage of £100,000 a week, and have indicated that they have been negotiating with City.
"City will not let Lescott go unless they can bring in a replacement, but Manuel Pellegrini confirmed on Tuesday that the Blues have 'two or three' possibilities on the go.
"One of those is believed to be Porto defender Eliaquim Mangala, but his £41.5million contract buy-out clause is a long way above City’s valuation."
The Mirror have also made comment, revealing that Fulham have now entered the group of interested parties, joining West Ham, Stoke, Besiktas, Tottenham and Aston Villa.
Elsewhere, the M.u.E.N are also reporting that City could yet capture the services of Nigerian starlet, Kelechi Iheanacho.
After it was reported on Friday that the youngster would be heading to Sporting Lisbon, it has been claimed now that City are back in the driving seat in the race to sign him.
Brennan writes: "The youngster, who was voted best player at the under-17 World Cup, which his country won in November, had also been lined up by Porto.
"But City made a decisive move for the player before Christmas, although reports in Spain that the player has already signed a deal are premature.
"Iheanacho is now in Barcelona, and City are believed to be wary because the deal has already been put in jeopardy by the demands of people around the youngster."
And finally, Goal.com are reporting that Fiorentina may be looking to take Stevan Jovetic back to Italy.
Ewan Roberts suggests: "Fiorentina boss Vincenzo Montella has refused to rule out a move to bring Manchester City's Stevan Jovetic back to the club in January.
"The Montenegro international joined the Etihad Stadium outfit during the summer, but has made just five appearances for the club in all competitions, netting just twice in the Capital One Cup against Wigan.
"With Viola top scorer Giuseppe Rossi sidelined for the next two months, the Serie A side are reportedly keen to reinforce their strikeforce in the winter window."
We'll have to see about that one...
Aguero fit to play Barca
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero will be fit to play Barcelona in the Champions League.
Aguero has been missing since suffering a calf injury in December but Manuel Pellegrini told a Press conference that the Argentina international is expected back in the next few weeks.
Pellegrini was asked to put a date on Aguero’s return and replied: “during January,” declining to elaborate on a more specific return schedule.
It was originally feared Aguero could be absent for two months but Pellegrini confirmed the forward’s rehabilitation had gone extremely well.
“He is working, he is training. It is very good news,” Pellegrini said.
“All players recovering from injuries is good news, especially a player as important as Kun Aguero.”
Aguero had scored 19 goals in 20 games before he was hurt playing against Arsenal.
Barcelona travel to City in the Champions League Round of 16 first leg on February 18 with the return leg taking place on March 12.
Lescott future in balance as Mangala talk grows
Joleon Lescott’s Manchester City future is in the balance with West Ham believed to be interested, while Blues boss Manuel Pellegrini is thought to be interested in Eliaquim Mangala.
Joleon Lescott’s Manchester City future is in the balance with an ever-lengthening queue of clubs wanting to sign the big defender this month.
West Ham are hopeful that City will accept an offer to take the player on loan until the end of the season, paying his full wage of £100,000 a week, and have indicated that they have been negotiating with City.
City will not let Lescott go unless they can bring in a replacement, but Manuel Pellegrini confirmed on Tuesday that the Blues have 'two or three' possibilities on the go.
One of those is believed to be Porto defender Eliaquim Mangala, but his £41.5million contract buy-out clause is a long way above City’s valuation.
Pellegrini refused to be drawn on Lescott’s situation, but in terms of incoming transfers, he made it plain that any buy would be of top quality: “Of course if we bring a new player here to City it is because he is a very good player.
“In this squad, we have a high level to all the players so if we want to improve we must try to buy an important player.
“That is why it is not our first concern and we are not in a hurry to make a decision. We are just seeing two or three things, but nothing important.”
If the right replacement cannot be found, City feel Lescott is more valuable to them as a squad member to the end of the season, even if that means losing him for nothing in the summer.
City wait on Iheanacho work permit
Manchester City are on the verge of finally signing Nigerian Under-17 star Kelechi Iheanacho with the issuing of a work permit being the only stumbling block that could stop the deal finally going through.
The deal is thought to be worth around £900,000.
The youngster was also wanted by Porto and Sporting Lisbon, but before Christmas, City made a move although reports in Spain that the player has already signed a deal are premature.
Iheanacho is now in Barcelona training under the guidance of City officials waiting on his work permit before coming to England.
The forward was the standout performer at the Fifa Under-17 World Cup in November, landing the Golden Ball with six goals as his Nigeria side stormed to the title.
Manchester City’s Season So Far
By all accounts it has been a good season so far for Manchester City. City currently sit second in the Premier League, one point behind leaders Arsenal, as well as being in the semi-finals of the League Cup. They have also reached the knockout stages of the Champions League for the first time, something that former manager Roberto Mancini did not achieve during his two years in the competition with City. When Manuel Pelligrini arrived in the summer with a number of big money signings, many expected Man City to go on and challenge in all of the competitions they entered. After a shaky start in the league due to some poor away performances, City are now most peoples favourites to win the league.
Attacking Freedom
Manchester City have been in fantastic goal scoring form this season, netting 57 times. Central to Man City’s good season has been their excellent home form. City have won all of their home league games and have scored 38 goals in the process. These 38 goals have come in just 10 games, giving City an average of 3.8 goals per home game. The freedom that the City players have been given at home is something that Pelligrini must be commended for. It is clear that he has brought a more attacking brand of football to the club, highlighted by the goal scoring exploits of individuals. Yaya Touré has managed 10 leagues goals after only half of the season. This number is already higher than the 6 league goals he managed in each of his last 3 seasons. Before injury, Sergio Aguero had already managed 13 league goals in 15 games, which is already more than the 12 goals he managed in the league last season. New signing Alvaro Negredo has also contributed well, adjusting from La Liga to score 8 league goals so far in his debut season. Even new signing Jesus Navas, who did not score a single league goal last season, has managed 3 league goals this season.
Away Problems
Despite all of the good home performances, City’s away form is the one concern from a great start to the new season. Although it has improved in the last month, City have only won 4 of their 10 away games. City did not win an away league game until October, and they did not win another until December. The problem away from home is largely to do with the defensive side of City’s game. City have conceded 6 league goals at home in the league, but have conceded 17 away. Many have put Man City’s problems down to the absence of captain Vincent Kompany, but in the 11 games he has played, they have conceded 16 goals. This means in the 8 games he has missed, they have conceded only 7. It can be argued that City have only lost 1 of the 11 games Kompany has played in, but they are still yet to keep a clean sheet in any away game that Kompany has played in.
Abundance of Creativity
In December City won all three of their away games, something that they will have to continue in 2014. They have managed well without top striker Sergio Aguero, winning all four league games since his injury. In terms of creativity, City have the player creating the most chances per minute in David Silva. Silva has created a chance every 20 minutes, and has managed 5 assists so far this season. After a slow start to the season, Jesus Navas has also begun to show his quality. Navas has managed to create 7 clear cut chances this season, and has contributed 6 assists. With the three goals he has scored, Navas has become an important component to City’s team. Defender Pablo Zabaleta has been regarded by many as the best right back in the Premier League, and he has supported that claim with 5 assists this season. It is clear that Manchester City have players who can create in all positions.
Going into 2014, Manchester City fans will be confident of their club challenging for honours. If they can maintain the good away form they showed in December, they will be challenging for the Premier League come May. They are two games away from a trip to Wembley for the Carling cup, in a semi-final tie that they are expected to win. Although they have a tough Round of 16 tie against Barcelona, they will be full of confidence after beating Bayern Munich away in their last Champions League game. Having reached the final of the FA Cup in two of the last three years, City will also feel they have the resources to challenge for the competition again. With Aguero to return soon, things should only get better for Manchester City, but as this Premier League has shown this season, anything is possible in football.
Manchester City and Arsenal weigh up £10m bids for Virgil van Dijk
MANCHESTER CITY and Arsenal are weighing up bids for £10m-rated Celtic centre-back Virgil van Dijk.
Both clubs have sent scouts to monitor the impressive form of the Dutchman this season.
The Scottish champions snapped up Van Dijk, 22, for just £1.6m from FC Groningen in the summer and have put him on a long contract.
He has three more seasons with them, with an option for another year.
The defender’s form has impressed Celtic boss Neil Lennon so much this season that he has tipped him to force his way into the Holland squad.
“People seem to think he has a laid-back attitude, but his work ethic is very high and he’s a kid who wants to get better”
Neil Lennon
“It’s inevitable, if he keeps going and progressing the way he is, that he’ll become a Dutch international,” said Lennon.
“He makes it look easy. People seem to think he has a laid-back attitude, but his work ethic is very high and he’s a kid who wants to get better.
“I’d like to think Virgil would get a chance with his country.”
Van Dijk has made 29 appearances for the Scottish giants this season, scoring three goals.
But he fears he will miss out on the World Cup and said: “I have never been invited, so I think the chances are not so big for me.
“That’s unfortunate for me, but I have to move on, still play good games. Maybe, you never know, the chance will come.”
5 MEN ARE SITTING IN A BAR BOLLOX
Five men are sitting in a bar, Mr Wenger, Mr Mourinho, Mr Moyes, Mr Rodgers and Mr Martinez. The first round is on Mourinho, he buys everyone a Portuguese beer, Martinez gets everyone a San Miguel for the second round and when Wenger gets the third round in, he buys them all a glass of wine. Rodgers then purchases a pint for everyone except Mr Moyes. Mr Moyes asks "hey Rodgers, you've not got one for me?"
"Sorry Moyes" says Mr Rodgers, "this is the fourth round and you're not in it"
Mr Paul Goggins, City fan & MP for Wythenshawe and Sale East, Greater Manchester, has died
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[/spoiler]Erik Lamela's Tottenham career looks all but over after his father revealed the 21-year-old wants to quit White Hart Lane. Forward Lamela joined Spurs in the summer in a club-record £30m deal. Metro
Paris St-Germain have joined French Ligue 1 rivals Monaco in holding an interest in 23-year-old Tottenham right-back Kyle Walker. Independent
Fulham forward Bryan Ruiz, 28, could be set to leave Craven Cottage for Spanish club Real Betis. Ruiz became Fulham's record signing when he arrived from FC Twente for £10.6m in 2011. Daily Mirror
Queens Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp has warned Newcastle that striker Loic Remy's price is rising all the time. Redknapp says Newcastle risk missing out on the 27-year-old Frenchman if they do not make an offer soon. Metro
Arsenal will step up their efforts to sign Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata, 21, on a season-long loan this week. DSSC
Norwich will reject an offer from Aston Villa for Wes Hoolahan - and any transfer request from the 31-year-old Republic of Ireland midfielder. Daily Express
AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli, 23, has rubbished reports that he could leave the club this month. Goal.com
Crystal Palace want Blackpool winger Tom Ince, 21, and Everton striker Nikica Jelavic, 28, to bolster their survival bid. Daily Telegraph
West Bromwich Albion want to sign Craig Gardner from Sunderland. The 27-year-old midfielder is out of contract in the summer but Albion chairman Jeremy Peace might make a move this month. Daily Mirror
Hull City have told Nottingham Forest to meet their valuation of Jack Hobbs or risk losing the 25-year-old centre-back to Wigan Athletic. DSSC
Brighton midfielder Liam Bridcutt has handed in a transfer request, with Sunderland interested in signing the 24-year-old midfielder. Brighton Argus
Russian club Zenit St Petersburg are set to outbid Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham for Basle's 21-year-old winger Mohamed Salah . Daily Express
Leicester will sign French winger Riyad Mahrez, 22, from Le Havre in a £400,000 deal. Sun
West Brom are expected to appoint former Werder Bremen head coach Thomas Schaaf, 52, as their new manager ahead of the game against Southampton on Saturday. Times
Nemanja Vidic is likely to leave Manchester United at the end of the season after his agent ruled out a contract extension. The defender, 32, is in the final six months of his contract but will not discuss a new deal, with a move to Serie A on the cards. DSSC
Andrea Pirlo is close to signing a new contract with Juventus. The 34-year-old Italy midfielder is ready to agree a two-year extension to his current deal. NBC Sports
Michael Chopra's Twitter rant is set to spell the end of his career at Blackpool. The 30-year-old striker was fined £10,000 after comments he made via social media. Daily Star
Former England and Queens Park Rangers striker Jay Bothroyd has signed a £5m deal to join Muangthong United in Thailand. Daily Mirror
Everton have been told they will have to pay £1.5m to sign 19-year-old Dundee United left-back Andrew Robertson. Daily Star
Sunderland are keen on signing Halmstads forward Valmir Berisha, 17, who has been called the next Zlatan Ibrahimovic in his homeland. Sun
Dunfermline are close to agreeing a loan deal with Aberdeen striker Lawrence Shankland, 18, and he is set to make his debut against Stranraer on Saturday. Daily Record
West Ham United fans are hoping Andy Carroll will be their saviour - and the 25-year-old certainly looked the part as he returned to training sporting a 'Jesus-like' beard. Daily Mirror
Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong could find himself in hot water after a cheeky Instagram post about David Moyes following Manchester United's defeat at Sunderland. Metro
GOLDEN BOLLOX 8-1-2010
Players 'rollicking' each other after Hull game led to form reversal, says Shay Given
Ireland goalkeeper explains that the City players got many things out in the open in immediate aftermath of seventh consecutive draw Shay Given, the Manchester City goalkeeper, has revealed how a heated exchange in the dressing room served as the inspiration behind the club’s impressive wins at home to Arsenal and Chelsea last week.
City set up a Carling Cup semi-final against Manchester United by beating Arsenal 3-0 on Wednesday before coming from behind to defeat Chelsea, the Barclays Premier League leaders, 2-1 three days later to complete a memorable week that put the club’s season back on track. Given said the players were at each other’s throats in the dressing room after the 1-1 draw at home to Hull City set an unwanted club record of seven successive draws that piled pressure on Mark Hughes, the manager.
But the Ireland goalkeeper believes the angry exchanges, with some players accused by others of not pulling their weight, have already worked and hopes that the team will not let their standards slip again as they go in search of Champions League football.
“The odd rollicking never did anyone any harm if you take it in the right way,” Given said. “We’re all grown men and you have to take criticism when it comes along. I think Wednesday’s win over Arsenal was a really big effort from everyone. It was a platform for the Chelsea performance. “We’ve fought tooth and nail for every ball. Maybe during a couple of the draws we had, we just weren’t all at it. We had to address that and we did. We’ve set the bar now and we can’t drop below it.”
Hughes has made it clear to his players that all their hard work will count for little if they fail to beat Bolton Wanderers, who are nineteenth in the table, at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday. “We can’t take liberties with anybody,” he said. “We understand now what it takes to win Premier League games. Irrespective of whether it’s Chelsea or a team at the bottom, you have to put in a level of performance that allows you to win.”
MANCHESTER CITY are plotting a £12million January swoop for Germany defender Philipp Lahm.
Boss Mark Hughes watched the left back in action for Bayern Munich last month, as part of a trip to watch his dream target Franck Ribery. Both men are at odds with the Bayern hierarchy, but it is Lahm who is ready to jump first. Wayne Bridge, the Blues' £12m January buy from Chelsea, has not enjoyed the best start at Eastlands. And now Hughes has been alerted to the fact Lahm, 26, could be available in the transfer window, he is considering a raid next month.Lahm is still rated as one of the best defenders in the game.
