ROUND UP
It’s day 13 of the January transfer window already and the gossip today ranges from the outlandish to the plausible in equal measure.
We’ll begin with the highly unlikely prospect of City attempting to sign Bayern Munich keeper Manuel Neuer by asking the question – why?
Why would the Blues even try to prise away the German No.1 when we already have Joe Hart and Costel Pantilimon?
City are surely not in the market for any keepers, let alone one you’d assume as unobtainable as the current No.1 of the European champions.
But we’re not here to sift through the wheat from the chaff – just to report what’s making the headlines.
So Caughtoffside.com’s story gets an airing here with Steven Green writing: “Manchester City are set to miss out on Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer after he has emerged as a target for La Liga champions Barcelona.
“The 27-year-old is widely recognised as one of the best goalkeepers in the world right now but reports in Germany believe that he could be on his way out of the Allianz Arena at the end of the season as coach Pep Guardiola is keen on being reunited with his former number one Victor Valdes.
“The Spanish international is available on a free transfer this summer and has made his intention to leave the Nou Camp known and Bayern have emerged as the favourites to land his signature.”
In the waste bin with that one, then!
John Guidetti has featured strongly in transfer gossip since day one of this window but today’s reports suggest he is close to joining a Premier League rival on loan for the remainder of the season.
The Independent’s Simon Rice writes: “Stoke City have pulled off a coup by landing Manchester City striker Guidetti on loan until the end of the season, according to reports.
“Potters manager Mark Hughes appears to have used his links at the club he used to manage to bring in the Swedish youngster.
“Guidetti has been among the most sought after players in the current transfer window having impressed during his previous loan spells away from the Etihad. During the 2011/12 campaign he scored 20 goals in 23 games for Feyenoord.”
Sports Direct.com’s Mark Brus continues the theme, but suggests it could be pasta rather than Potters for the Blues’ striker: “Lazio are the latest club to be linked with a move for Manchester City youngster John Guidetti, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
“The Swedish international has not managed to earn a first-team breakthrough during his time at the Etihad Stadium, and looks increasingly likely to leave the club in this January's transfer window.
Finally, Alan Pardew was keen to apologise to City boss Manuel Pellegrini following his touchline spat during yesterday’s match.
The Magpies boss is quoted in The Scotsman who report: “Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has apologised for a foul-mouthed rant at Manchester City counterpart Pellegrini.
“The 52-year-old aimed an expletive-laden volley at the Chilean during the first half of his side’s controversial 2-0 Barclays Premier League defeat by the new leaders yesterday afternoon.
“A contrite Pardew said: ‘I hear that it’s been picked up a little bit, and I apologise for my comments 100 per cent.
‘It was a heat of the moment thing. We just had words that we always have as managers, to a degree. I have apologised to him and fortunately for myself, he has accepted that.’”
West Ham offer Joleon Lescott £90k-a-week to join relegation struggle
• Manchester City defender slips to fourth choice at club
• Lescott keen to regain England place for World cup finalsJoleon Lescott is the target of a move to West Ham United from Manchester City, though he may reject the transfer worth £90,000-a-week because he is hopeful of attracting a higher-placed club in a bid to force his way into England's squad for the World Cup finals in Brazil.
The central defender is fourth choice at City under Manuel Pellegrini and although Lescott has to weigh up whether a transfer to the relegated-threatened club is desirable, the 31-year-old is keen to play regularly to get his career back on track.
While West Ham, it is understood, would pay him £90,000 a week until the close of the season, they have also offered him £70k a week if they do drop into the Championship, in what amounts to a three-and-a-half-year deal. His manager Manuel Pellegrini is keen to keep Lescott. "When this transfer window is over at the end of January, we will see what happens," he said. "At the moment, Joleon will stay here with the team."
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew sorry for disallowed goal reaction
Alan Pardew has apologised for swearing at Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini after Newcastle had a goal disallowed in Sunday's 2-0 defeat.
United were trailing 1-0 when referee Mike Jones ruled that an offside Yoan Gouffran had interfered with play before Chieck Tiote's shot hit the net.
"It was a heat of the moment thing," said Newcastle manager Pardew.
"We just had words that we always have as managers, to a degree. I have apologised and he has accepted that."
Pardew was incensed that Tiote's 25-yard strike, which flew past Joe Hart in the City goal, was chalked off after the referee had chatted with assistant.
Offside?
A player can be ruled offside, even if they do not touch the ball, if they "interfere with an opponent" by "preventing an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball by clearly obstructing the opponent's line of vision or challenging an opponent for the ball".
Law 11 in the FA rulebook
His complaints after the match focused on the decision to rule out the goal, apparently on the basis that Gouffran, although he did not touch the ball, had blocked Hart's view from his offside position.
"I don't think he was clear in his answers," boss Pardew said of Jones's explanation of the decision.
"We felt a huge injustice over that goal. It is a great moment for this football club if that goes in.
"I have seen the referee and it is a really technical thing he is judging there.
"Tiote has hit a goal that Joe Hart is just not going to save. It goes through a number of bodies but his vision is not impaired.
"The ball has gone on the inside of Gouffran and the City defenders are obstructing Joe Hart's vision as much as anyone."
Pellegrini claimed that Pardew had been "complaining about every decision".
Pardew was banned from the touchlines for two games last season after pushing the assistant referee in his side's 2-1 win over Tottenham and clashed with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger in 2006 while in charge of West Ham.
Samir Nasri: Man City suspect midfielder has 'serious injury'
Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri will have a scan on a suspected "serious injury" on Monday after appearing to suffer a medial knee ligament injury against Newcastle.
Nasri was substituted following a challenge by Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa in City's 2-0 win at St James' Park.
City boss Manuel Pellegrini was angered by the incident, which he felt Yanga-Mbiwa should have been sent off for.
"Nasri has, I think, a serious injury. It was absolutely a red card," he said.
"It's bad, but we will see on Monday how serious it is."
However, Newcastle manager Alan Pardew defended Yanga-Mbiwa's challenge on his fellow Frenchman.
Play mediaNewcastle 0-2 Manchester City: Pellegrini on Pardew row
He said: "I think he made a decision that he was not going to get away, but he wouldn't have wanted to hurt Nasri.
"He is not like that and I hope Nasri is OK."
France international Nasri was replaced by James Milner in the 79th minute and required several minutes of treatment before leaving in tears on a stretcher with his left leg in a brace.
Defender Yanga-Mbiwa was booked by referee Mike Jones for the challenge.
"It should have been a red card," added Pellegrini.
"But I think it's very difficult for the referee to handle a game when every time he gave a decision against Newcastle there were complaints from the manager."
Pellegrini also confirmed Edin Dzeko, scorer of the City's opening goal, sustained a calf injury in the victory, which took them to the top of the Premier League.
Alvaro Negredo was also on the scoresheet for the Blues, sealing victory in the 90th minute over a Magpies side who saw Cheick Tiote's first-half goal ruled out for offside.
Joleon Lescott not joining West Ham on loan, says Manuel Pellegrini
Reports that Manchester City’s Joleon Lescott will join struggling West Ham on loan are wide of the mark, says Manuel Pellegrini.
It has been claimed Sam Allardyce could land the England defender as the Hammers attempt to fight their way out of relegation trouble but City boss Pellegrini said: ‘No, no. I am not talking about any loan.
‘I repeat, when this transfer window is over at the end of January, we will see what happens.
‘At the moment, Joleon will stay here with the team.’
Meanwhile, Newcastle boss Alan Pardew was equally adamant he was unaware of any bid from an unnamed Qatari club for Magpies striker Papiss Cisse.
He said: ‘Not that I’m aware of, no. I can’t confirm any bid.’
Stoke City to sign Manchester City striker John Guidetti on loan
Stoke City have pulled off a coup by landing Manchester City striker John Guidetti on loan until the end of the season, according to reports.
Potters manager Mark Hughes appears to have used his links at the club he used to manage to bring in the Swedish youngster.
Guidetti has been among the most sought after players in the current transfer window having impressed during his previous loan spells away from the Etihad. During the 2011/12 campaign he scored 20 goals in 23 games for Feyenoord.
Injuries and illness have hampered the 21-year-old's progress since then, but he is understood to be back to full fitness now.
Premier League rules state clubs can only bring in two loan two players from within the division - a limit Stoke are at with Oussama Assaidi from Liverpool as well as Stephen Ireland from Aston Villa. It is reported a permanent deal for the latter will be swiftly agreed so that Guidetti can be drafted in.
Sergio Aguero announces he could return for Manchester City's FA Cup replay with Blackburn
The Argentinian has been out of action since December 14 with a calf problem but he has taken to his official website to reveal his ambitions
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has revealed he is closing in on his comeback from injury and may even feature against Blackburn in midweek.
The 25-year-old suffered a calf injury in the 6-3 win over Arsenal on December 14 and has not played since, with manager Manuel Pellegrini claiming he could be available in the next few weeks.
However, Aguero hopes to make his return sooner and is targeting Wednesday night's FA Cup replay with Blackburn as his comeback match - following the side's 1-1 draw last weekend.
The Argentine told his official website, sergioaguero.com: "I'll be ready for action this week.
"Recovery is going very well. I'm back to sprinting on the field and moving the ball around.
"I'll be fully recovered by the Cardiff game and depending on how the week's training goes I may be able to show up a few minutes against Blackburn."
Prior to his injury lay-off, Aguero had scored 19 times in 20 appearances and has seen Alvaro Negredo and Edin Dzeko impress in his absence.
However, boss Pellegrini is eager to see him return and with City currently challenging on four fronts, domestically and in Europe, the striker is desperate to get back on the pitch.
He added: "We are putting up challenges in every competition this year. Manuel wants us to have possession, he wants defence to keep the pressure up.
"I'm happy with my tally and my performance. Goals I especially like because they win games and most of them decided a match, so that's what makes me happy."
Could Shaw become the world's most expensive full-back?
City set to break Alves' record and pay £30m for young Saint
Manchester City are ready to flex their financial muscle and pay a world-record £30million in January for Southampton’s outstanding young English prospect, Luke Shaw.
City have made it clear to Saints chairman Nicola Cortese they will pay the fee immediately to blow away rivals Chelsea and Manchester United, who also hold a long-standing interest in the left-back.
Shaw, 18, is regarded as England’s long-term successor to Ashley Cole and City accept they will have to break the world-record fee for a full-back to get him — beating the £29.5m paid by Barcelona for Dani Alves in 2008.
Shaw — and his club — have indicated he is happy to stay at St Mary’s until the summer. But City are primed and ready to beat any offer should he become available this month.
Manager Manuel Pellegrini is convinced Shaw is the long-term answer to his problem left-back position and will allow Aleksandr Kolarov to return to Italy should the youngster arrive.
Manchester City want PSG target Paul Pogba in exchange for Stevan Jovetic
JUVENTUS will have to offer Paul Pogba as bait if they want to prise Stevan Jovetic away from Manchester City.
The Italian giants have had a request to take injury-plauged Jovetic on loan this month rejected by City.
They now plan to return in the summer with a cash offer for the Montenegro forward.
But City chief Manuel Pellegrini would be more interested in a deal which included France midfielder Pogba, 20, who walked out on Manchester United when his contract expired 18 months ago.
City wanted Pogba when he quit United and are still eyeing a player who is now rated in the £30million bracket.
His arrival at The Etihad would be another painful blow for United.
“The Italian giants have had a request to take injury-plauged Jovetic on loan this month rejected by City”
Jovetic, 24, cost City £22m when he arrived from Fiorentina in the summer. The fee could eventually rise to £28m.
But Jovetic has had calf, hamstring and groin injuries this season – in addition to illness – and has been restricted to just five appearances.
Juventus tried to sign him last summer but lost out to City, who play at Newcastle today.
They are still tracking Jovetic, as are Inter Milan and Fiorentina, who would be interested in taking him back, as well.
Are poor officials gifting Manchester City the title ahead of Arsenal or Chelsea?
There are a number of things a club needs if it is going to win the league title.
Firstly, they need a good squad, one which has talent and skill as well as passion, desire, a willingness to fight for each and depth.
The club also needs money to build and pay for that squad. A manager who knows how to get the best out of that squad is also required.
Finally, it will need luck. Lots of unpredictable luck.
As Manchester City played Newcastle on Sunday it was clear that they are the side which has the luck this season.
For the fourth time this season (that I can remember) a perfectly good goal was ruled out against them for offside. No-one was interfering with play and Cheick Tiote’s goal should have stood. It would have been 1-1 and Newcastle would have had the momentum.
Against Arsenal, City had two goals against them ruled out for offside incorrectly, with at least another three instances of incorrect offsides flagged when a player was through one-on-one with their keeper. In the City game against Liverpool the same thing happened as another perfectly good goal was chalked off.
Luck. City have it in spades this season. They also have the best squad and the deepest pockets.
It hardly seems fair does it?
There are three teams realistically in the title race this season – Arsenal, Chelsea and City. I don’t know how Chelsea’s luck is going this season, they bore me too much to care.
They don’t have the squad they once had and their pockets aren’t as deep as they used to be and certainly not as deep as City’s, but they do have a manager who knows how to win, usually by smothering the opposition to death until they finally give up.
Arsenal’s luck, on the other hand, has been atrocious. Perhaps it’s paranoia, I don’t know. I don’t think so.
Take the penalties Anthony Taylor gave to Aston Villa on the opening day of the season for instance, like the one he gave to Liverpool against Stoke on Sunday. Soft. Taylor has demonstrated over the course of the season that he’s not a biased referee, just an awful one.
There have been a series of wrong offsides given, stonewall penalties turned down, and injury after injury after injury.
Mike Dean was in charge of Arsenal v Chelsea when he ignored what was a clear red card against John Obil Mikel.
And the penalty on Theo Walcott? Don’t be silly, his leg was still attached so you’re not getting that!
If you don’t think a red card and a penalty would have changed a game in which there was little-to-nothing between the sides then perhaps you should follow another sport.
Just before Arsenal went to Old Trafford half the squad was struck down with ‘flu. That’s not poor planning or bad management. That’s just bad luck.
Arsenal have the squad to challenge for the title, the fact that they’ve been top for most of it despite suffering more injuries than any other side in the division proves that. I’m just starting to realise that they just might not have the luck to see it out.
The standard of officiating in the Premier League this season has seemed at an all time low. Those poor decisions, which are benefiting teams and hurting others seem random.
I genuinely don’t believe that there is bias in play, just poor standards. But City certainly seem to be benefiting more than most while Arsenal are being hindered.
When your luck’s in, all these things line-up for you, and this season, it seems like City are the side the football Gods have favoured. Metro
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[/spoiler]Bayern Munich are set to rival Paris St-Germain and Napoli in the race to sign Chelsea attacking midfielder Juan Mata, 25. Daily Express
Arsenal are planning to offer £30m for Newcastle midfielder Yohan Cabaye, 27, and 23-year-old full-back Davide Santon. caughtoffside.com
Wolfsburg director of sport Klaus Allofs is confident that a deal has nearly been secured to sign Chelsea midfielder Kevin de Bruyne, 22. Independent
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is keen to sign 19-year-old St Etienne defender Kurt Zouma as a long-term replacement for John Terry. Daily Express
The Stamford Bridge club are also hopeful of pulling off a deal to re-sign Benfica midfielder Nemanja Matic, 25, that could cost them 10 times the £3m he was valued at when used as a makeweight in the deal that brought defender David Luiz, 26, to Chelsea three years ago. Times
Tottenham keeper Heurelho Gomes, 32, is in talks to return to his native Brazil. Sun
Manchester United have joined Arsenal and Chelsea in vying for Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez, with assistant coach Phil Neville flying out to Spain to monitor the 19-year-old's current loan spell with Rayo Vallecano. Daily Mirror
United's hunt for fresh talent has also led to manager David Moyes being spotted in Italy, where he ran his eye over Cagliari defender Davide Astori, 27, and Juventus midfield playmaker Arturo Vidal, 26. DSSC
Alternatively, Moyes was there to woo Juve midfielder Paul Pogba, 20, back to Old Trafford, where he spent nearly three years as a teenager. Daily Express
Striker Papiss Cisse, 28, may be about to leave Newcastle, but only if the unnamed club in Qatar chasing his signature add another £1m to their initial offer of £9m. DSSC
French defender Patrice Evra, 32, is set to leave Manchester United when his contract ends in June. Guardian
Norwich are close to signing Newcastle midfielder Jonas Gutierrez with the 30-year-old Argentine international already tweeting his goodbyes to the Toon Army. Newcastle Chronicle
Hull boss Steve Bruce believes that the club's readiness to spend £6,5m on Everton striker Nikica Jelavic, 28, and a fresh approach to sign forward Shane Long, 26, from West Brom for the same amount underlines the long-term ambition of owner Assem Allam. Hull Daily Mail
Sunderland boss Gus Poyet hopes his side's climb off the bottom of the Premier League table will help his recruitment plans. Chronicle
Manchester United's value has plummeted by £250m to £1.5bn in just one month because of their worst start to a season in 24 years. Sun
Liverpool owner John Henry has called striker Luis Suarez, 26, "the most exciting soccer player" in the world while comparing the Uruguayan to Boston baseball hero David Ortiz. Liverpool Echo
Crystal Palace boss Tony Pulis's transfer plans have been thrown into turmoil by his boss Steve Parish going on holiday to the Caribbean for 10 days. Daily Mirror
Theo Walcott, 24, was shown no sympathy by Arsenal team-mate Kieran Gibbs, 24, who visited the England winger in hospital where he is recovering after a knee operation - and thrashed him on Fifa 14. Metro
Chelsea are prepared to pay £21m to bring Benfica midfielder Nemanja Matic, 26, back to the club during the January transfer window. Matic moved to the Portuguese club from Stamford Bridge in January 2011. Telegraph
Arsenal and Chelsea are battling to sign Atletico Madrid's 19-year-old midfielder Saul Niguez. People
Manchester United are set to sign Real Madrid defender Fabio Coentrao, 25, on a loan deal until the end of the season. Telegraph
Tottenham head coach Tim Sherwood is unhappy with the attitude of some of his players and is ready to sell midfielder Etienne Capoue, 25. Sun
Manchester United midfielder Anderson, 25, is set to join Italian side Fiorentina, while wingers Nani, 27, and Wilfried Zaha, 21, will seal loan moves to Sporting Lisbon and Cardiff City respectively this month. DSSC
Arsenal will step up their bid to sign Schalke forward Julian Draxler, 20, after discovering he has a £40m buy-out clause. Daily Star
Striker Papiss Cisse, 28, wants to leave Newcastle in order to move to Qatar but the Tyneside club's desire to recoup most of the £9m they paid for the Senegal international is holding up a deal. Sun
Norway and Stromsgodset midfielder Stefan Johansen is waiting for Celtic to make their next move in the hope that he can seal a transfer to the Scottish champions. Express
Former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson held an unscheduled meeting with successor David Moyes after the Old Trafford club's FA Cup defeat by Swansea last Sunday.People
Chelsea centre-back John Terry, 33, is set to come out of international retirement and make himself available for England's next game, which is a friendly against Denmark in March. Mirror
Former Cardiff manager Malky Mackay will become the next boss of struggling West Ham if the Hammers dismiss Sam Allardyce. Daily Star Sunday
West Ham co-chairman David Gold says Allardyce's position has never been under threat and he should not be blamed for injuries to key players. Sky Sports
The League Managers' Association wants the Football Association to take action against clubs who are guilty of unfairly dismissing technical staff. Times
Former Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas could take over as the new coach of German club Schalke if they sack current boss Jens Keller, who is under pressure. Telegraph
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has tipped midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, 20, to replace Liverpool's Steven Gerrard, 33, in the England team when the Three Lions captain retires. Express
Liverpool legend John Barnes believes the Reds do not have a strong enough squad to win the Premier League title, but says they may claim a top-four place. Mirror
Leeds defender Jason Pearce, 26, forgot to take the price tags off his club shirt, which he wore during the 6-0 Championship defeat by Sheffield Wednesday. Metro
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