Man City to run rule over Juventus defender
Manchester City are tracking ‘Swiss Express’ Juventus defender Stephan Lichtsteiner after being made aware of his availability, while Matija Nastasic could head the other way.
The fullback, who is also nicknamed Forrest Gump because of his relentless raiding runs, is out of contract next summer.
Although he primarily plays at right full back he can play on the left or even in midfield if required.
Given City’s spending restrictions because of the Financial Fair Play punishment hanging over them, 30-year-old Lichtsteiner could make an attractive short term prospect.
Club scouts will run the rule over his progress in Serie A to see if he fits the strict criteria required these days to become a Blues first team player.
Liechsteiner has certainly impressed for Juventus.
He has been a regular first team player since his move to Turin in summer 2011 and helped the Bianconeri to three successive league titles. As such he has a wealth of Champions League experience, a key part of City’s transfer thinking these days.
The Blues squad has the oldest average age in the Premier League at over 28, with Gary Neville among the pundits suggesting the years are starting to catch up with the players.
City can point to the fact that their key performers - the likes of Joe Hart, Vincent Kompany, David Silva and Sergio Aguero - have a number of peak years ahead.
And Lichtsteiner himself is confident has is worth another big contract, saying at the end of last season: “I still see myself at a good level for three or four more years, then I can close in Switzerland and then become a coach.”
Another aspect of a potential deal for Lichtsteiner is forgotten man Matija Nastasic. The 21-year-old Serbian, brought in by Roberto Mancini for £10m in summer 2012, is surplus to requirements at City but still rated in Serie A from his time with Fiorentina.
Reports in Italy suggest that Juventus are watching him closely and are readying a £5m bid.
Nastasic has fallen down the pecking order under Manuel Pellegrini. His only appearance this season came in the 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield. Dedryck Boyata is generally used as City’s fourth choice centre back behind Vincent Kompany, Eliaquim Mangala and Martin Demichelis.
Liverpool, Man City & Arsenal set for £40m January tussle
Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool are all ready for a £40m January battle for Real Madrid midfielder Isco, according to reports from The Express.
The Spanish midfielder was a target for Premier League trio over the summer, but despite claims he could be sold by the European champions he remained in his homeland.
Yet Liverpool, City and Arsenal have not been deterred, and are all considering massive £40m offers when the transfer window opens.
The Sky Blues appear to be in the lead, with Manuel Pellegrini having coached Isco during his breakthrough at Malaga.
The young playmaker started his career at Valencia, but the Chilean manager was in change of at the Anoeta when the silky passer made his first major La Liga impact.
Liverpool wanted Isco on loan during the last window, but with his Reds side struggling Brendan Rodgers is rumoured to be ready to pay big to land a marquee arrival.
Arsenal are also in the battle, but Arsene Wenger’s rumoured £20m January budget may be an issue.
Man City join Man United & Chelsea in La Liga starlet hunt
Manchester City are the latest Premier League bit-hitter to enter the battle for Athletic Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte, according to reports from Fichajes.
The French centre-back is currently thought of as one of La Liga’s best young centre-backs, and is attracting serious attention from both Manchester United and Chelsea.
The 20-year-old has been a big player for the Basque side so far this term, but reports suggest that offers of above £30m may be accepted in January.
This has lured City in, despite the addition of Eliaquim Mangala over the summer.
Manuel Pellegrini is understood to not yet be content with his current options, with Vincent Kompany still without a top-class partner.
Laporte is seen as a good long-term option to play alongside the Belgian, who is widely hailed as one of the best players in his position in world football.
United are also interested, but cannot offer Champions League football.
Chelsea could also move, yet Jose Mourinho may look to further assess summer arrival Kurt Zouma before committing.
Liverpool Ladies Bronze Leaves for City
Liverpool ladies have lost one of their defenders, Lucy Bronze, to Manchester City this week after the latter confirmed they had purchased the 23-year-old.
Bronze, who’d previously played at Sunderland, Everton and the North Carolina Tar Heels in the US, struggled to carve out a niche for herself in the first team since joining in 2012. Despite some defining moments last season, including the PFA Women’s Players’ Player of the Year award, Bronze hasn’t managed to fulfil the promise she showed earlier in her career.
“It has been an extremely difficult decision to leave Liverpool but I feel as though I need to experience a new challenge.”
Aside from admiring her skills on the pitch, many Liverpool FC Ladies fans will be disappointed that Bronze hasn’t made a move into the online casino world. Indeed, following the news that she’ll now be plying her trade for City, it means fans of Bronze’s beauty definitely won’t be able to see her when playing at ToplessCasino.
In fact, following the news that Bronze will now be donning a sky blue shirt in the coming weeks, Liverpool fans will now have to look for a new defensive darling as the current season comes to a conclusion.
In parting ways with the club, Bronze noted that impressive strides the club made to win the Super Cup on consecutive occasions.
“When I first joined the club we had previously finished bottom of the league yet we managed to defy all the odds to win the Women’s Super League in my first full season at the club. To then repeat the feat this season, and the manner in which we achieved it, was an incredible achievement and one that will live with me for a long time.”
Whether Bronze can win gold with Manchester City remains to be seen, but she is certainly relishing the challenge; especially considering the club’s lofty ambitions.
Fernando expects Chelsea slump
Manchester City midfielder Fernando has claimed that it is only a matter of time before Chelsea suffer a dip in form in the Premier League.
Chelsea are yet to be beaten this season, and City's inconsistent form has allowed Jose Mourinho's side to earn a commanding lead at the top of the table.
However, Fernando believes that City, who are eight points behind Chelsea in third, will take advantage of what he believes to be an inevitable rough patch for the leaders.
"We know that the English league is very competitive, with big teams," the Brazilian told members of the media.
"Of course Chelsea is the team that is best placed and playing better, but we know that all teams within the league fluctuate greatly.
"We did not start well, we had some difficulties, but we know that at any time Chelsea will also go through these difficulties and then we have to work to stay as close as possible."
City return to action against Swansea City on Saturday afternoon, while Chelsea host West Bromwich Albion on the same day.
Bankrupt keeper David James: Football memorabilia sold off
Former England goalkeeper David James' football memorabilia has been auctioned off after the star went bankrupt.
James, 44, who played for Liverpool, Aston Villa, West Ham, Manchester City and Portsmouth, was declared bankrupt in May despite earning around £20m.
Signed football shirts, shorts and match balls were amongst the items sold through London-based auctioneer Hilco.
An England shirt the player wore in the Three Lions' 1-0 World Cup win over Argentina in 2002 fetched £672.
A Liverpool FC goalkeeper's jersey worn during the Reds' 1995/96 season sold for more than £160 while a Portsmouth No 1 top James wore in 2008 went for £480.
An England home kit signed by the team and a Portsmouth goalkeeper's jersey were among the items sold
Other goods included a boxed and unused retro Raleigh Chopper bike went for more than £1000.
The star, who now plays and manages Kerala Blasters FC in the Indian Super League, won 53 England caps during a career that also saw spells at Watford, Bristol City and Bournemouth.
Manchester United plan to beat Arsenal to the signing of Borussia Dortmund and Germany centre-back Mats Hummels, 25, in a £47m deal next summer. (Daily Star)
Real Madrid want Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, 27, rather than Spain international David de Gea, 24, who will stay at Manchester United. (Daily Express)
Arsenal are among the clubs interested in signing Newcastle's England Under-20 winger Rolando Aarons, 19. (Daily Star)
Sunderland boss Gus Poyet is among those contemplating a January move for Galatasaray's Portuguese forward Bruma, 20, when the transfer window re-opens in January. (Northern Echo)
Manchester United and Arsenal want to sign Italian forward Alessio Cerci, 27, who is surplus to requirements at Atletico Madrid despite only signing for the La Liga champions from Torino last summer. (Daily Express)
Liverpool defender Glen Johnson, 30, has applied to knock down his Surrey mansion and build a new one complete with staff suite, leading some to speculate he may be returning south when his contract expires at the end of the season. (The Sun)
Other reports suggest Johnson is set to quit Anfield in the summer after being offered a new two-year deal on half of his £120,000 a week wages. (Daily Mirror)
Reading have been given the option to buy Crystal Palace striker Glenn Murray when his loan period ends on January, but it is being reported that promotion hopefuls Derby are preparing a £3.5m offer for the 31-year-old. (Croydon Advertiser)
Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea is set to be fit to face Arsenal on Saturday after recovering well from a dislocated finger sustained on international duty with Spain. (DSSC)
Wigan are set to interview Malky Mackay about their managerial vacancy, despite an on-going investigation by the Football Association into alleged misconduct by the former Cardiff boss. (Daily Telegraph)
Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor is determined not to be forced out of White Hart Lane if, as has been reported, Spurs look to sell the 30-year-old Togo international in January. (Daily Telegraph)
Everton manager Roberto Martinez believes midfielder Gareth Barry, 33, could still be playing for England. ( Liverpool Echo )
Police arrested at least a dozen senior figures in French football amid separate inquiries into allegations of match-fixing and fraud and among the deals reportedly under scrutiny are the sale by Marseilles of Samir Nasri to Arsenal in 2008 and of Didier Drogba to Chelsea in 2004. (The Times)
Manchester United's Angel Di Maria hopes to be fit to face Arsenal on Saturday after needing an X-ray on a foot injury sustained in Argentina's defeat against Portugal at Old Trafford. (The Guardian)
A Standard Sport poll has revealed nearly 70% of Tottenham fans would be put off going to see them play if the club followed through with a proposed moved to Milton Keynes while they are building their new stadium next to White Hart Lane. (Evening Standard)
Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson is a fitness doubt for Sunday's trip to Crystal Palace after picking up a minor hamstring injury on international duty which kept him out of England's win in Scotland. (Liverpool Echo)
Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward insists the club are still keen to promote their own players, despite spending over £150m on overseas talent this season. (Manchester Evening News)
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is set to tone down training to avoid any more self-inflicted injuries. (The Sun)
England full-back Nathaniel Clyne shared his joy at being part of England's 3-1 win over Scotland at Celtic Park, saying on Twitter: "It's been a great experience and I've enjoyed every minute of it."
Jack Wilshere enjoyed his night in Scotland, posting a picture on his Instagram account of England's players celebrating Wayne Rooney first goal in their 3-1 win and praising the backing of the travelling supporters with the message: "Unbelievable atmosphere at Celtic Park! Thanks to all the English fans that made it a special night for us....Great win! #ENG #3Lions"
England assistant coach Gary Neville took off Jack Wilshere's headphones in an attempt to communicate with the midfielder before the victory at Celtic Park. (DSSC)
Arsenal winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also appeared to be in a world of his own as he ignored England's pre-match huddle at Celtic Park, but was quickly back on track as he set England on the way to a 3-1 win over Scotland. (Metro)
MORE BOLLOX SOON
