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Manchester City manager Mark Hughes - Source: Reuters -
Related
Angry Fab blasts Real rumours
Angry Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas has blasted recent rumours that
he will leave the London club for Real Madrid.
Speaking to Arsenal.com the Spanish star said:
"I'm not sure how many times I need to talk directly about my
commitment to Arsenal as I continue to say the same thing over and
over again, but it appears that every time I have spoken to the
Spanish media recently, my words have bounced back to England,
leaving question marks about my future.
"So, for anyone who is unclear or may have misunderstood what my
position is, let me make myself absolutely crystal clear. I am
wholeheartedly committed to Arsenal and my future lies with this
great club." (Arsenal.com)
Tevez's City move is easy as Child's play
Carloz Tevez's reported move to Manchester City is as easy as
child's play - thanks to his daughter.
The former Man United star is yet to officially confirm where he is
heading next season, but Manchester City are clear favourites to
sign the player after it emerged the striker has enrolled his
four-year old daughter in a private school in the town of
Cheshire.
Little Florencia is due to start school in September, providing
further proof that Tev intends on staying in Premier League
football in the North-west. (The Sun)
Sparky set for City clear out
Manchester City boss Mark Hughes is ready to offload AT LEAST a
dozen of last season's squad.
City, who have already landed Gareth Barry, Roque Santa Cruz and
Stuart Taylor, remain favourites to sign Tevez, and have also been
linked to Everton's Lescott and Barca's Samuel Eto'o.
Hughes, who brought in Craig Bellamy, Shay Given and Wayne Bridge
in January, now knows he will have to get rid of some players to
make room in their already crowded dressing room.
First out could be Bulgarian Valeri Boiinov, Zimbabwe star Benjani,
Darius Vassell, Ched Evans and Jo - who could be used as bait to
lure Lescott from Everton.
Daniel Sturridge has already moved to Chelsea, while Felipe Caicedo
may spend the season out on loan.
Former Liverpool striker Dietmar Hamann is out of contract, while
Gelson Fernandes and injury-plagued Michael Johnson can go.
Defender Danny Mills has already left, and Michael Ball, Tal Ben
Haim and Javier Garrido can follow if the right offers come
in.
Skipper Richard Dunne is a target for Sunderland, while Elano's
fiery relationship with Hughes could spell the end for a player who
cost eight million pounds from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2007. (Daily
Star)
Milan turn down 'monster' Pato offer
AC Milan have turned down a 'monster offer' from an English club
for Brazilian teen sensation Alexandre Pato.
The Italian giant's vice-president, Adriano Galliani, broke the
news after Pato had been strongly linked with a move to Chelsea,
where it was reported he would link up with former Milan coach
Carlo Ancelotti.
But now Milan insist Pato - who on Wednesday confirmed his desire
to stay at the San Siro - WILL STAY and be offered a contract
extension. (BBC Football)
Villa rules out Premier League move
David Villa has ruled out a move to the Premier League after
confirming he will continue to play in La Liga.
The Spain ace has been the subject of intense transfer speculation
after being linked with Real, Barcelona, Man United, Liverpool and
Chelsea.
Madrid were in pole position to sign him from troubled Valencia but
announced last week that talks had stalled on the sale because
Valencia were unwilling to sell their star player. (Various)
But that has not deterred rumours in Spain, with the Spanish press
now linking Villa to Euro champions Barcelona.
It has also been reported that Barca have made an estimated 37
million pound bid for Villa as they prepare for life without
Manchester City target Samuel Eto'o
Barca's summer spending budget is reported to be only around 25m,
meaning they would need to sell Eto'o to fund a move for Villa on
top of their other targets. (Daily Mail)
Real scupper Benzema bid
Real Madrid are set to scupper Manchester United's bid for Lyon
star Karim Benzema.
The striker has been on United boss Alex Ferguson's hit-list after
recently losing Carlos Tevez and Ronaldo - but now it has been
revealed that Real have also contacted Lyon regarding the club's
position on selling the player. (Various)
Liverpool accept Leto bid
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is hoping to have some much needed cash
to splash in the transfer market by the end of the weekend after
accepting a three million pound bid from Panathinaikos for
out-on-loan winger Sebastian Leto.
With the five million pound transfer of Alvaro Arbeloa to Real
Madrid expected to be completed after Spain end their
Confederation's Cup campaign on Monday (NZT), Benitez could have an
extra eight million to spend. (Liverpool Echo)
Southgate eyes up Neville
Gareth Southgate has told reporters he wants to team up with former
England mate Phil Neville at Middlesbrough after offering him a
chance to join his backroom staff.
Boro boss Southgate is reported to believe his former international
team-mate would be perfect for a player-coach role in the
Championship side - but it seems the former Manchester United star
is determined to see out the rest of his playing days at Goodison
Park. (The Sun)
Stoke on the Pul for Toon rejects
Stoke boss Tony Pulis is ready to raid relegated Newcastle with a
five million pound swoop for Obafemi Martins.
Along with a host of other Toon players, Martins is set to be sold
and Pulis is keen on bringing the 24-year-old Nigerian to the
Potters.
Stoke are alleged to have already been in contact with Newcastle
over the sale of the player, but are expected to face tough
competition from the likes of Aston Villa, Spurs and Everton.
Pulis is also reported to be eyeing up a swoop for out-of-contract
Michael Owen and West Ham's Dean Ashton. (Daily Star)
Johnson completes Birmingham switch
Roger Johnson has completed his move from Cardiff to newly promoted
Birmingham for a reported five million pounds.
The 26-year-old centre back has been signed in a three-year deal
and becomes the third centre-back to sign for the club, with Scott
Dann and Giovanny Espinoza already on the books. (BBC Football)
And finally
Maradonna's grandson sports the latest in baby wigs!?
So we know it's not really nice to make fun of kids, especially
those of the baby variety, but judging by THESE PICTURES on
football site Dirty Tackle it REALLY DOES looks like Maradonna's
grandbaby Benjamin is wearing
some kind of toupee in an effort to look a lot
more like his hand'o'godaddy. (Dirty Tackle)
