Victor Pell crew! Manchester City swoop for Barcelona star Valdes
MANCHESTER CITY are closing in on Victor Valdes as his move to Monaco is on the brink of collapse.
The Spanish goalkeeper is playing out his final season at Barcelona and was expected to join the French giants as a free agent in the summer.
Valdes is understood to have verbally agreed to join Monaco - but was set a deadline to sign a binding pre-contract with them which has now passed.
That has angered billionaire owner Dmitry Rybolovlev, who is ready to turn his attention to Hannover’s Ron-Robert Zieler instead, and City are poised to take advantage.
“His arrival would put more pressure on England keeper Joe Hart”
When Manuel Pellegrini was asked about Valdes earlier this week the City boss replied: “He’s not in our thoughts right now.”
But while City do not want to make any public statements about Valdes before he faces them again in the Champions League, they are increasingly confident of signing him.
The 32-year-old is the current Spain No.2 but is looking for a new challenge after spending his whole career with Barcelona.
His arrival would put more pressure on England keeper Joe Hart, who is only recently back in Pellegrini’s good books after a shaky spell.
Meanwhile, City have been told they must play their FA Cup quarter-final against Wigan on Sunday March 9, just three days before they go to the Nou Camp trying to overturn a 2-0 Champions League deficit against Barcelona.
Manchester City join transfer race for Angel Correa - aka the new Sergio Aguero
Atletico Madrid have reportedly bid for San Lorenzo 18-year-old who's been compared to the Blues' star striker - check him out in action here!
Angel of the north? Manchester City scouts were looking at Correa this week
Manchester City are ready to rival Atletico Madrid for the signing of the youngster dubbed the next Sergio Aguero.
Scouts from the Quadruple-chasing Blues were in Buenos Aires to watch San Lorenzo’s Angel Correa again on Wednesday night, amid reports Spanish title contenders Atletico have already lodged a bid.
The 18-year-old Argentine can play as a striker or in a more withdrawn role and is widely considered as one of the hottest young prospects in South America.
Barcelona, Napoli and Arsenal are understood to have watched the teenager too, but San Lorenzo are keen to hold onto him for as long as possible.
Their owner, media magnate Marcelo Tinelli, is unlikely to be convinced to sell for anything less than £10million.
The new Aguero? Make up your own mind after watching this:
[youtube]skjCcUGGJ1g[/youtube]
Aguero aims to be back training next week... and fit to play in Capital One Cup final
Sergio Aguero is hoping to return to training with Manchester City next week, which could see him back in time for the Capital One Cup final.
The Argentina striker, who has scored 26 goals in 25 appearances for City this season, has been sidelined since the end of January with a hamstring injury.
'Feeling very good about my last week of recovery work,' Aguero tweeted. 'If I keep it up next week I'll train with the team!'
That would suggest Saturday's Barclays Premier League meeting with Stoke is too soon, but Aguero could be fit in time to face Sunderland at Wembley on March 2.
Manager Manuel Pellegrini has missed his leading goal scorer in recent weeks, which has seen the Blues slip behind in the Premier League title race before being humbled 2-0 by Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League Last 16 tie on Tuesday.
The return of the Argentine for the league run-in will provide the club with a massive boost, especially if he plays a part in winning silverware at Wembley.
‘We are aiming to keep growing by winning many trophies, not just national but international trophies,' said Pellegrini ahead of the Barcelona game.
‘We are fighting for four titles this year. We have to be patient because you cannot change the team from one day to another. We have to keep the philosophy of the style and for that you need time.’
‘We cannot forget the last few years but as a club want to win many titles. We are fighting for titles this year. What’s important is that the club has the patience to build from that.’
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]Bayern Munich have emerged as favourites to land Arsenal transfer target Julian Draxler, 20, from Schalke in the summer transfer window. In January the Gunners refused to meet Schalke's £37m valuation of their 20-year-old midfielder. Sun
Turkish club Besiktas are lining up a summer move for Manchester United's 24-year-old Japan international midfielder Shinji Kagawa. Manchester Evening News
Former England captain David Beckham has targeted signing Barcelona midfielder Xavi, 34, for his new Major League Soccer franchise in Miami. DSSC
Manchester United are considering a move for Southampton midfielder Harrison Reed. The 19-year-old has made four appearances for the Saints. Daily Mirror
Real Madrid will have a summer clear-out of stars with Germany midfielder Sami Khedira, 26, sparking interest from a number of Premier League clubs including Manchester United. Sky Sports Talkshit
Tottenham are hopeful of signing Chelsea's highly rated 20-year-old striker Patrick Bamford in the summer. Bamford is currently on loan at Derby County in the Championship. Metro
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is keen to take veteran Inter Milan midfielder Javier Zanetti, 40, to Stamford Bridge this summer in a dual player-coach role. Inside Futbol
Everton and Liverpool face competition from Spanish side Sevilla for Levante goalkeeper Keylor Navas, 28, who reportedly has an £8.2m release clause. Sky Sports Talkshit
Newcastle United defender Mathieu Debuchy, 28, has cast doubt over his future with the Magpies by refusing to rule out a move to Paris St-Germain. Daily Star
Manchester United will on Friday announce a £70.2m deal which will keep striker Wayne Rooney, 28, at Old Trafford for the rest of his career. Sun
Wojciech Szczesny, 23, is unlikely to be punished for the gesture he made as he exited the pitch following his dismissal in Arsenal's Champions League defeat by Bayern Munich. The referee did not include the incident in his report. Guardian
Norwich manager Chris Hughton could be sacked if the Canaries slip into the Premier League relegation zone with a heavy defeat against Tottenham this weekend. The Canaries sit only one point above the bottom three, having won just one of their last 10 league games. Daily Telegraph
Everton manager Roberto Martinez believes former striker Duncan Ferguson will become a "special" part of the first-team coaching set-up at Goodison Park. Liverpool Echo
Crystal Palace manager Tony Pulis says he is "desperate" to get striker Glenn Murray, 30, back in his team after his return from serious injury. Croydon Advertiser
Welsh League Division Three side Pontypridd Town are set to play a summer friendly against La Liga giants Valencia. The Welsh club's manager Dominic Broad has strong contacts in Spain and is set to take his team to Valencia for a pre-season friendly on 29 July. Daily Mirror
