Transfer news...

[h=1]Arsène Wenger admits to relief after Arsenal's play-off win at Udinese[/h] • Manager says victory 'will lift the pressure' on the club
• 'Of course, I am relieved. It was a massive game for us'




  • David Hytner at Stadio Friuli
  • guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 24 August 2011 23.59 BST Article history
    The Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger spoke of his relief after the victory over Udinese. Photograph: Jamie Mcdonald/Getty Images

    Arsène Wenger could savour the feeling of a catastrophe averted after his Arsenal team rallied in the second-half against Udinese to secure a place in the Champions League group phase for the 14th season in succession.
    The manager admitted that "relief" was also prominent among his emotions as Arsenal needed a 59th-minute penalty save from Wojciech Szczesny to break the resistance of the Italian team. After the problems and the criticisms of the summer and the early season, Wenger could also send out a message of defiance. Arsenal's season is up and running. "I feel, of course, this will lift the pressure," he said. "There has been a little bit of pressure for Arsenal to play in the Champions League and with the players that have left, the pressure would have increased if we had lost. There's a strong attitude and spirit inside the team.
    "We live in a society where everyone has an opinion on everything. I'm like someone who flies a plane for 30 years and I have to accept someone can come into the cockpit and fly it better than I do. But that's our job and we have to accept it. I would like to say that the club is in, overall, a very strong position because for 14 years on trot we play in the Champions League, we have a new stadium, a fantastic training ground, a very strong financial situation and a very strong team. Sometimes you have to take a distance from the catastrophes people have predicted."
    Wenger acknowledged that Szczesny's penalty save was decisive. Had Antonio Di Natale's shot gone in, it would have made the score 2-2 on aggregate. "That was the turning point, it kept us qualified and you could see that mentally it had an impact on Udinese's belief and they were not the same team afterwards," Wenger said. "Of course I am relieved. It was a massive game for us. Overall, I feel we responded in a very positive way, even when we were 1-0 down. It showed that under pressure this team can respond with football, remain calm and composed, and try to play like we can."

 
[h=1]Tottenham's Harry Redknapp admits desire to be reunited with Joe Cole[/h] • Cole keen to return to London after frustrating year
• Liverpool look to get former England midfielder off wage bill




  • Dominic Fifield
  • guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 24 August 2011 23.30 BST Article history
    Harry Redknapp and his protege Joe Cole at a training session in 2000, when they were both at West Ham. Photograph: John Sibley/Action Images

    Harry Redknapp's attempts to strengthen his Tottenham Hotspur squad ahead of the closure of the transfer window could prompt a surprise move for the unsettled Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole.
    Lassana Diarra and Emmanuel Adebayor are on the verge of completing switches to White Hart Lane but Redknapp has also expressed a desire to sign Cole. TheEngland midfielder has endured a frustrating year on Merseyside, starting only nine Premier League games last term following a free transfer from Chelsea. Liverpool omitted the 29-year-old from their squad for Wednesday night's Carling Cup tie at Exeter City and indicated a willingness to allow him to depart, even on loan, to spare their wage bill. The player is keen to return to London and although QPR may offer an alternative destination, his preference is to be reunited with Redknapp at Spurs.
    Cole is willing to accept a reduction in his salary – thought to be around £80,000-a-week – to smooth his departure from Anfield but it remains to be seen whether the Spurs chairman, Daniel Levy, would share his manager's enthusiasm in pursuing the player. "I like Joe, and I am not going to say I don't want to sign him because I would be lying," said Redknapp. "I have not made any inquiries for Joe. It probably would be difficult because we tried to get him last year. It was not difficult for me but the chairman – well, he might think he didn't want to come here last year and he went to Liverpool."
    Asked whether Cole would have to accept a reduction in wages to secure first-team football at Spurs, Redknapp said: "Yes, but I think he would have last time too. But we took our time making an offer and it all dragged on. In the end he probably felt he wasn't wanted enough. He is a real talent. I signed him when he was 11 [at West Ham] and he was the best young footballer I have ever seen – I have never seen anyone come near him – and I think I can get him back to where he was. I would love to work with him again."
    Tottenham's activity in the market is steadily gathering pace with agreement edging closer with Real Madrid over the £10m transfer of Diarra, formerly with Arsenal and Chelsea and an FA Cup winner with Redknapp at Portsmouth. That would represent a knockdown fee as far as the Spanish club are concerned, with Real hopeful of including a sell-on fee in any deal before sanctioning the move. Diarra's salary, which amounts to some £120,000 a week, is in excess of the wage ceiling at White Hart Lane, though Levy is hoping to secure the player with a package of bonuses and a significant signing-on fee.
    Adebayor's salary, too, had appeared a potential obstacle blocking his loan move from Manchester City, though Redknapp, whose side go into this evening's Europa League play-off against Hearts leading 5-0 from the away leg, indicated on Wednesday that the Togo forward will take a pay cut to return to north London, with City also paying a contribution. Spurs hope to complete the signing ahead of the weekend, though the striker would be ineligible for Sunday's visit of City to White Hart Lane.
    "Emmanuel will give us something different," said Redknapp. "He has fantastic ability, and he had that spell at Arsenal when he was unplayable. He has had a spell where his reputation has gone down, so he needs to come in and have a right go. He has a big point to prove. But he's not coming for the money. He's taking a drop in salary because he fancies coming to Spurs."

 
[h=1]Football transfer rumours: Kaká to Arsenal?[/h] Today's tittle-tattle is unimpressed with the way the lunatics are being encouraged to take over the asylum



  • Will Real Madrid striker belong to Arsenal before the closure of the transfer window. Photograph: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

    The Rumour Mill can't help but feel how much easier it's job would be if more footballers used the medium of Twitter to keep us apprised of imminent moves, while tacitly pleading with other clubs to make them a better offer before they put pen to paper. While on his way to conduct transfer talks with QPR yesterday, Joey Barton used the popular social networking forum to keep his followers, current employers and – most importantly – any more glamourous prospective bosses to let us know that he was "Going for a medical now, still no contract offer from NUFC......think that just about makes my mind up."
    Short of tweeting "Help me, please! I don't wanna go to QPR!", it's difficult to imagine how Joey could have made his feelings about his imminent move more clear, although he went some way towards trying to do exactly that soon afterwards, presumably after his initial plea for either the offer of a new deal from Newcastle or overtures from alternative suitors fell on deaf ears.
    "Don't want to leave Newcastle....I've made that clear but my hands are tied," he tweeted, the 140-character limit presumably precluding him from adding that he still has a year left on his deal with the Magpies and could quite easily stay there till season's end, even if the offer of a three-year deal from QPR offers him more financial security.
    At the time of writing, Barton had conducted his medical and agreed terms with Neil Warnock's side, but has yet to put pen to paper, presumably in the forlorn hope that his Direct Message inbox will be flooded with better offers from some of Europe's biggest clubs offering a last-minute reprieve when he wakes up this morning. We await developments with interest.
    Having shown up selected members of football writing's finest for the know-nothing buffoons they are last night, Arsène Wenger will continue to go about the private business of strengthening his Arsenal squad ahead of the Champions League campaign quite a few two-faced hacks hoped his team wouldn't qualify for, if only because it would make for a better story.
    Despite having spent 15 years in England, Wenger still hasn't learned or – one would hope – doesn't care that the best way for football managers working in north London to get the press on side is to offer them garrulous cheeky-chappy soundbites while feeding them a steady drip-feed of information of questionable veracity. That way, you can spend money hand over fist (while simultaneously turning your nose up at signing Luis Suárez) only to see your team slump to extraordinary levels of goal-shy mediocrity without fear of media criticism of any kind.
    Anyway, according to the Daily Mail, Wenger has had a loan deal for Real Madrid striker Ricky Kaká rejected, and must now bide his time to see if the Spanish side change their minds or agree to sell the Brazilian who they continue to sublet from Jesus. Arsenal also remain interested in taking centre-back Raúl Albiol from Real, playmaker Eden Hazard from Lille and striker Mauro Zárate from Lazio.
    Bobby Zamora won't have a monopoly on having his name incorporated into terrace chants adapted from Dean Martin classics featuring the moon hitting your eye like a big pizza pie if Martin Jol is successful in his attempts to bring Brazilian-born Italy and Juventus striker Amauri to Craven Cottage. Elsewhere in Italy, a queue of unmarked vans containing sinister, besuited representatives from Newcastle, Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City are parked outside Inter full-back Davide Santon's house ... listening, while Parma midfielder Danilo Pereira is attracting come-hither glances from Liverpool and Arsenal, while his Roma counterpart Daniele De Rossi could be the next high-profile superstar to suffer the excruciating embarrassment of being ushered into Manchester City suit Garry Cook's office, to be greeted with a ghetto-tastic handshake and the words: "How are you brother?"
    And having failed to pull up any trees during a resolutely unsuccessful spell at Tottenham Hotspur, Ajax's Moroccan striker Mounir El Hamdaoui, could be off to Blackburn, where early-season performances suggest a similar lack of application could earn him plenty of votes as the fans' player of the season.

 

[h=1]Chelsea to up Alvaro Pereira offer amid Florent Malouda speculation[/h] • Chelsea to increase initial £16.6m bid for Porto defender
• Juventus general director claims interest in Malouda




  • Dominic Fifield
  • guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 24 August 2011 23.45 BST Article history
    Chelsea's Florent Malouda has interested Juventus, with the Blues preparing a second bid for Alvaro Pereira. Photograph: Jonathan Brady/EPA

    Chelsea are to lodge an improved bid for Alvaro Pereira after Porto rejected an opening offer of £16.6m for the Uruguay international, with the Londoners considering selling Florent Malouda to Juventus for a knockdown fee as they continue to reshape their squad.
    Pereira, who can operate on the left of defence or midfield, would be a direct replacement for the departed Yuri Zhirkov at Stamford Bridge following the Russian's sale to Anzhi Makhachkala. Porto have already signed the 25-year-old's replacement, Alex Sandro, at the Estádio Dragão but will still seek a fee closer to the £26m release clause in the South American's contract.
    Chelsea are confident that the player will be reunited with André Villas-Boas before next Wednesday's deadline, though – with the Spain international Juan Mata having now completed his £23.5m arrival from Valencia on a five-year deal – Pereira's signing would necessitate the trimming of the squad to comply with the Premier League's 25-man rule. Yossi Benayoun is effectively available for transfer but, at present, Malouda appears the likeliest first-team player to move on.
    The France international scored Chelsea's winning goal against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, but his desire to be offered a contract extension to 2014 – expressed publicly this summer – has not prompted a response from the club, with reports in Italy suggesting Chelsea are ready to offload the 31-year-old, a £13.5m signing from Lyon in 2007, to Juventus for as little as £5m. The Italian club's general director, Giuseppe Marotta, was quoted on Wednesday night claiming the Frenchman was "definitely an interesting player", with the club seeking to complete their transfer business ahead of the start of the Serie A season.
    There remains the scope for further departures from Stamford Bridge. Slobodan Rajkovic has completed a £2m move to Hamburg on a four-year deal, while the Brazil centre-half Alex has also attracted interest at Juve and the England Under-21 international Ryan Bertrand may seek first-team football elsewhere. Yet Chelsea still aspire to securing Luka Modric from Tottenham Hotspur before next week's deadline despite Spurs' position appearing increasingly entrenched on a player who has five years to run on his contract at White Hart Lane.
    Harry Redknapp suggested on Wednesday night that he would ideally like to play the Croatia international for "an hour" in Thursday evening's Europa League play-off second leg against Hearts, though the 25-year-old did not train with his team-mates at Chigwell on Wednesday and is still apparently troubled by a tight hamstring. Regardless, the Spurs chairman, Daniel Levy, remains adamant that a sale will not be countenanced and, if the player misses Sunday's visit of Manchester City, he will not be released for Croatia's Euro 2012 qualifiers against Malta and Israel.
    "The chairman made another statement on Tuesday night that Luka is definitely not going," said Redknapp. "He spoke to Chelsea and said: 'Let's put an end to this because it is not going to happen.' If that is the case, there is no movement and he is going to stay. We want him here and the chairman will sit down with him in the next couple of weeks and look at his contract. If there's something we can do we will do it. He's not for sale."
    That stance was outlined with an acceptance that Modric will find it difficult to accept his chances of moving to Stamford Bridge and competing in the Champions League, as well as "trebling his salary", according to Redknapp, over the coming months. "He is going to be sitting there every week thinking he could be winning with them in the Champions League, or competing with them for the title, and earning £100,000 a week more," added Redknapp.Redknapp recognised that it would be hard for Modric to deal with missing out on a move to Chelsea. "The rewards he would get there would be incredible, and that's not easy for him. None of us know how he will feel. What is in his head, who knows?
    "But if he is not going to go then he has to get on and play football. There is nothing you can do. We are not going to give the type of money that he could earn at Chelsea, that cannot happen here, but he has to get on with it for his own good. He has to be the player that we all know he is and have a great season. The chairman has made his mind up and is not going to let him go. That will be it."

 
Emanuel Adebayor huyo katua Tottenham kwa mkopo.
 
Transfer news, rumours and gossip from Thursday's papers Published 09:12 25/08/11 By Football Spy Recommend (3) PaperTalk.jpg The summer transfer window is hotting up as the new season draws ever closer. Keep on top of all the latest news, rumours and gossip from the printed press and the web here. Transfer stories from today's Daily Mirror Malouda linked with cut-price Chelsea exit Coates: I'm following Suarez to Liverpool Redknapp: I reckon I can fix Joe Cole Chelsea complete Mata signing Kop flop Aquilani set to seal AC Milan switch Inter and Italy starlet a target for Newcastle Liverpool's shock Bellamy bid hinges on City letting him go for free EXCLUSIVE: Blackburn hunt Ajax star (with video) Coyle beats Baggies to new centre-back QPR take £3m-a-year gamble on Barton Villa call in agents to help shift dead wood Birmingham in race against time to offload wage drain Zigic Roma boss insists Man City target going nowhere Bullard ready to seal Ipswich return West Ham to snap up Cup-hero striker Championship duo chasing Le Fondre Leeds target set to quit Colchester Reading snap up QPR defender Today's transfer stories from other papers and websites Chelsea are preparing a new offer for left-back Alvaro Pereira after Porto rejected their opening £16.6m bid. (The Guardian) Fulham have entered the race to sign Freiburg striker Papiss Demba Cisse . Sunderland are also interested but are unable to put down the £12million that Freiburg want. (Daily Mail) Arsenal have had a loan bid rejected for Real Madrid midfielder Kaka . (Daily Mail) The Gunners are also tracking Real defender Raul Albiol, who has fallen out of favour at the Bernabeu. (Metro) Blackburn's £5million bid for Bosnian striker Vedad Ibisevic has been accepted by Hoffenheim. (The Sun) Rovers are also are releasing Australian winger Brett Emerton so he can sign for Sydney. (The Sun) Arsenal are keen on Everton's Mikel Arteta but face competition from Malaga and Valencia, who are both willing to pay £10m for the attacking midfielder Mikel Arteta. (Daily Star) New QPR chairman Tony Fernandes wants to bring in up to five new players before the transfer window closes. (talkSPORT) Fulham are plotting a bid for Juventus striker Amauri . (talkSPORT) Liverpool and Arsenal are keen on Parma midfielder Danilo Pereira , according to reports in Italy. (talkSPORT) Inter Milan's former Portsmouth player Sulley Muntari has been offered to Newcastle . (The Times) Nice striker Eric Mouloungui has turned down a move to West Ham. (The Times) Read more: Transfer news rumours gossip Arsenal target Real Madrid's Kaka and Raul Albiol, Chelsea want Porto's Alvaro Pereira and Liverpool eye Parma's Danilo Pereira Thursday newspapers - News - MirrorFootball.co.uk Sign up for MirrorFootball's Morning Spy newsletter Register here
 
[h=1]Spurs set to sign Juventus midfielder, claims agent[/h] Published 15:08 25/08/11 By MirrorFootball




Tottenham are close to signing Juventus midfielder Iago Falque, according to Press Association Sport.
The 21-year-old Spaniard is reported to have flown in to London for a medical and could complete a season-long loan in the next 24 hours.
Falque started his professional career at Barcelona before moving to Juventus, where he has been loaned out to Bari and Villarreal B over the last two seasons.
"Iago loves big challenges and this with Spurs is very important," the player's agent and father Iago Falque Snr is quoted as saying on skysports.com.

"It will be hard, but he will fight for his place."
Falque, a Spain Under-21 international, is poised to be the third youngster to arrive at White Hart Lane this summer following the signings of former Barcelona player Cristian Ceballos and 16-year-old Souleymane Coulibaly from Siena.
Spurs are short of options in midfield thanks to injuries to the likes of Sandro, Steven Pienaar and unsettled star Luka Modric.
They have also have been strongly linked with a move for Real Madrid's Lassana Diarra, although he appeared pessimistic about his chances of a move to White Hart Lane when he told Spanish newspaper AS this morning: "There is no agreement with Tottenham and I do not think there will be.
"I have a contract with Real Madrid until 2013 and Jose Mourinho is my coach."
Diarra: 'There is no agreement with Tottenham'
 
[h=1]Aquilani 'delighted' with AC Milan move[/h] Published 14:15 25/08/11 By David Anderson




Alberto Aquilani has had his medical at AC Milan ahead of completing his loan move from Liverpool.
Aquilani, 27, was assessed by Milan's medical team today in Italy and is joining the Rossoneri in a temporary deal for the rest of the season.
Liverpool have inserted a clause in his deal that Milan must sign him permanently for £7million if he makes 25 appearances.
"I'm delighted to have arrived here,'' said the midfielder, who spent last season on loan at Juventus. "This is a leap in my career. I have come to Milan to do well.

"The clause of making at least 25 appearances? It's not a problem for me and I'm not thinking about it. I will do everything possible to earn the trust of the club.''
**
Bellamy targets Anfield return
Dalglish welcomes release of Hillsborough files
 
[h=1]Swansea set to sign new keeper[/h] Published 15:50 25/08/11 By MirrorFootball

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/tra...ew-keeper-Gerhard-Tremmel-article790398.html#


Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers hopes to complete the signing of goalkeeper Gerhard Tremmel within the next 48 hours.
The 32-year-old former Red Bull Salzburg stopper has been on trial with the Swans, and impressed in their pre-season friendlies against Celtic and Real Betis.
Rodgers has already added two goalkeepers to his squad during the summer, with Michel Vorm and Jose Moreira arriving in the wake of the departure of Dorus de Vries to Wolves.
But the Northern Irishman is keen to add another, so he can allow youngster David Cornell, who has joined Hereford on loan, to get first-team experience elsewhere.

He said: "Gerhard has had his medical, he has gone through a lengthy trial period with us and he will be a terrific support 'keeper.
"I was desperate to get David Cornell out on loan, and thankfully we have now done that.
"We have our number one 'keeper in Michel Vorm, who has proved to be fantastic signing, and we will have two back-up 'keepers, hopefully Gerhard and Jose Moreira.
"Hopefully we can get a deal for Gerhard tied up in the next day or so."
Rodgers also revealed that Dutch midfielder Ferrie Bodde, who has been bedevilled by knee injuries in recent seasons, has had a spell in Holland after experiencing some discomfort in his recovery from his most recent problem.
He said: "Ferrie had to go back to Holland, he had a little niggle in his knee, he went for a scan and he is feeling more confident now.
"He had a little work done over there and he needs to rest for three or four days before he comes back to us.
"I didn't want to rush him and I want to give him every chance to complete his recovery so he went back to the specialist who did his operation."


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[h=1]Modric saga is over - he stays insists Redknapp[/h] Published 23:01 25/08/11 By Darren Lewis

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/tra...uses-sell-star-to-Chelsea-article790685.html#


Harry Redknapp has claimed victory in the battle for Luka Modric.
Shortly before Spurs' goalless draw with Hearts on Thursday, the Croatian midfielder and his advisors were again told in no uncertain terms by chairman Daniel Levy that he would not be sold to Chelsea.
Tottenham 0-0 Hearts (5-0 agg): Daily Mirror match report
Redknapp, who also sealed the signing of loan striker Emmanuel Adebayor from Manchester City, confirmed: "There there was a meeting today.

"I think Daniel has just said the same thing - he is not for sale. So that is where we are.
"Luka will stay and play and I am sure that he will be as great again as he has been every other year he has been here.
"I think that the matter is finished now. Yes, I do.
"He was never in contention for [the Hearts game]. He will be here Sunday."
Redknapp's quotes came hours after fed-up Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas admitted Chelsea could look elsewhere if Levy continued to dig his heels in.
Villas-Boas said: "I just have to continue to assess the market. You know that I've spoken to you and made it public that we might have to add to midfield.
"I just have to speak to the owner when this kind of thing happens. {Normally} when there's an offer, there's a counter offer and then you reach an agreement."
Meanwhile, Redknapp has also insisted his bid to sign Real Madrid midfielder Lassana Diarra is NOT dead.
The French star, 26, was reported in Spain to have claimed there was no agreement with Spurs and that there will not be.
But Redknapp said: "No, it's not true. Things haven't broken down. I think there is still a good chance. The chairman is working on it and he's a player. He's a real talent. I have a good relationship with him. Its a real possibility
"I signed him at Portsmouth and I sold him for £22million to Real Madrid. Hes a good talent. A fantastic player. Yes, its a real possibility, still."
Tottenham's goalless draw means they go into the Europa League group stages after their crushing 5-0 win over Hearts at Tynecastle last week.


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[h=1]Arsenal's Udinese win papered over the cracks but United will cruelly expose them again on Sunday[/h]

By Robbie Savage
Published 23:07 25/08/11



http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opi...mir-Nasri-Manchester-City-article790444.html#



Thrilled as I was to see Arsenal reach the Champions League group stage, I fear their win against Udinese has only papered over the cracks.
And I suspect the first inevitable disappointment may not be far around the corner – at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Some Gunners fans seem to think I have it in for them but I haven't. I love watching them play and, like any English club in Europe, I'm always pleased to see them do well in the Champions League.
But let's not kid ourselves, unless Arsene Wenger buys at least one commanding centre-half, if not two, and replaces Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri with players of similar quality in midfield, Wednesday's triumph in Italy will be another false dawn.

I've seen all the top sides play at least once this season and Manchester United and Manchester City look so far ahead of the rest it's a question of who finishes third.
But I don't think it will be Arsenal. For them, I would rate winning the Carling Cup as a successful season.
I reckon if you asked most Gunners fans now whether they would settle for that, after seven years without a trophy, they would snap your hand off.
Although they probably need reinforcements up front as well, I'm convinced that Theo Walcott is wasted as an out-and-out wide player after seeing his goals in both legs against Udinese.
Whether he was poaching at the near post at the Emirates, or finishing expertly in a one-on-one with the keeper in Italy, Walcott proved he has a goal-scorer's instinct.
It is only three years since he scored that fantastic hat-trick for England in Croatia and he didn't achieve that by hugging the touchline. To reach the next level as a wide player, Walcott needs to deliver more with his crosses, and too often I've felt his final ball lacks that.
But he has pace to burn and that's a precious commodity, especially when he runs at defenders and they don't know whether he's going left, right or straight down the middle.
I believe Theo is a better centre forward than a winger and I would love to see him given an extended run alongside Robin van Persie.
That double act would give Arsenal a constant goal threat and until Wenger has shored up his defence – how can a player as small as Antonio De Natale, at 5ft 8in, score with a header in the box against a top-class side? – he will need to maximise their scoring power.
Do I give them any chance on Sunday? Well, I think Arsenal can score. But United were very impressive in the second half against Tottenham on Monday and I doubt Arsenal will be able to cope with the movement of Wayne Rooney, Ashley Young, Nani, Anderson, Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck.
Although I don't envisage a rout, I believe United will be convincing winners.
***
Samir Nasri's move to Manchester City is a good deal for everyone.
For the player himself, let's be honest - he can talk about the passion of City fans, but it was money which talked loudest. Fair enough, we'd all love a pay rise.
For Arsenal, £25million is a good price for a player into the last year of his contract. From January, he could have started talking to clubs about jumping ship for nothing.
And for City, Nasri could be the final piece of the jigsaw. Wherever formation manager Roberto Mancini chooses, he will fit into their system - as part of a four-man midfield, in the hole behind two strikers, wide left, wide right, you name it, Nasri can play there.
His versatility is not to be sneezed at when you look at City's embarrassment of riches in attacking options: Silva, Aguero, Tevez, Dzeko, Johnson, Yaya Toure... City won't be short of goals this season.
If Mancini can keep all those talents hungry, and all those egos happy, City will not just be title challengers - they are possible Champions League contenders.


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[h=1]Why Jose doesn't deserve the United job[/h]

By Robbie Savage
Published 22:59 18/08/11



http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opi...-Madrid-lost-to-Barcelona-article787016.html#



MirrorFootball Podcast - Robbie Savage, Chris Kamara, Mick Rathbone
Jose Mourinho lost the Supercopa to Barcelona, lost his head with a Barca coach - and now he deserves to lose out on the biggest job of all.
I think Mourinho believes he will replace Sir Alex Ferguson when the great man finally retires at Manchester United and until recently I supported him.
Almost 18 months ago, after watching his Inter Milan side take Chelsea apart, I wrote in this column that, "Jose is the only manager in the world with the force of personality big enough to take over from the best boss ever." But almost everything since has been like an anti-CV for the United job.

It's not the negative football he played against Barca in the Champions League last season that particularly worries me. Real were an impressive attacking force against other sides last season, with Ronaldo scoring 53 goals, and you could argue that they outplayed a their deadly rivals over the two legs of this season's curtain-raiser. I've no doubt he could produce an attractive United side.
It's the other stuff I don't like. Claiming refs are biased against Real. Pulling the ears of rival coaches. Calling Barcelona, the Champions League winners and the best team on the planet, "a small club".
It takes a wind-up merchant to know a wind-up merchant and even in my maddest moments, I would have cringed at that.
United's ethos has always been that no-one is bigger than the club. Not Ince, not Sparky, not Beckham, not Ronaldo. Not even Sir Alex. Would they really hand the reins to a man who makes every big game, every press conference 100% about himself?
It would serve him right if Jose lost the job he really wanted to the man who is frustrating him in Spain at the moment, Pep Guardiola.
But I think the Barcelona coach would be a perfect fit for United. He plays expansive football, he attracts big names and he conducts himself the right way.
For me, he, not Jose, is now The Special One.
**
Three games played. Three games won. The best defensive record in the Championship.
Yep, Derby are really struggling without me, aren't they?
**
Well done to Gary Neville on his Sky Sports debut. He's taken to punditry like a rat up a drainpipe!


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[h=1]Chelsea refusing to give up Pereira pursuit[/h] Published 22:59 25/08/11 By Darren Lewis

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/tra...-left-back-cum-midfielder-article790573.html#


Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas has outlined why he is so desperate to bring Porto wing-back Alvaro Pereira to Stamford Bridge.
Villas-Boas is determined not to give up, despite having a bid of £16million rejected.
The player – part of Villas-Boas' all-conquering Porto team last season, and a Copa America winner with Uruguay this summer – has a release clause of £26m in his contract.
"Not only is it at Porto, but he has tremendous influence in the Uruguay team," said Villas-Boas. "He is versatile and can play in midfield or at left-back."

Pereira has been left out of Friday night's Super Cup clash against Barcelona as the two clubs haggle over a fee.



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[h=1]Gunners set to loan Traore to Prem neighbours[/h] Published 22:58 25/08/11 By Football Spy




Neil Warnock is lining up a loan move for Arsenal defender Armand Traore.
QPR boss Warnock has launched a bid to take the Senegal international for the season, and expects to seal a deal before next Wednesday's transfer deadline.
Traore was on loan at Italian giants Juventus last season, and will be sent out again by Arsene Wenger this term to gain first-team experience.
The 21-year-old, who came on as a second-half substitute for the Gunners against Udinese in midweek, is set to complete his move to Loftus Road early next week.

Warnock is preparing for a frenetic final few days of the transfer window, with West Ham and England midfielder Scott Parker, Manchester City striker Craig Bellamy and Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas also on the radar.



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[h=1]EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal make Cahill bid... of just £6million![/h] Published 23:01 25/08/11 By Alan Nixon

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/tra...by-Bolton-exclusive-story-article790412.html#


Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has had a bargain-basement bid for Gary Cahill laughed out of town by Bolton.
Wenger has tabled an offer of just £6million, plus extras, for the England international, which is roughly a THIRD of Bolton's valuation on their classy centre-half.
The offer is so low that the Lancashire side have dismissed it out of hand.
Arsenal have turned their attention to Cahill after failing with a £12m offer for Everton's Phil Jagielka, and stepping back from Blackburn skipper Chris Samba because of his price-tag.

Their move for Cahill is bizarre, however, as boss Owen Coyle has made no secret of his willingness to sell - at a fair price.
Bolton insiders claim the Arsenal bid is 'taking the mickey.'
Cahill is in the last year of his deal and is eager to join an elite club, but Bolton will not accept a low offer or any effort to destabilise their star man.
Wanderers paid £5m for Cahill and now value him at £17m.
Bolton are happy to keep the player and either convince him to sign a new contract or possibly sell in January when he will still be an asset because he will be eligible for the Champions League.
Everton are also standing strong on Jagielka.
Boss David Moyes is willing to sell other players to fill the £10m 'hole' at the bank and is against trading his England defender.



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[h=1]Fulham go back in for Cameron Jerome[/h] Published 22:58 25/08/11 By James Nursey

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/tra...-also-linked-Bolton-Stoke-article790501.html#


Fulham will increase their offer for Birmingham striker Cameron Jerome, after having their initial bid rejected.
The Mirror revealed on July 29 that the Cottagers wanted Jerome as cover for England international Bobby Zamora.
Their opening £2.5million offer was dismissed, and new boss Martin Jol publicly refused to go higher.
But the Dutchman's Blues counterpart Chris Hughton admitted this week that Jerome, and defender Scott Dann, are still likely to be sold.

The Londoners now hope to seal a £3m deal for 24-year-old Jerome, beating Bolton and Stoke to his signature.



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[h=1]Modric will play for Spurs on Sunday - Redknapp[/h] Published 23:57 25/08/11 By MirrorFootball

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/tra...unday-says-Harry-Redknapp-article790706.html#


Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp insists Luka Modric will play for the club in the Barclays Premier League against Manchester City on Sunday.
Modric was left out of the squad which eased into the group stages of the Europa League with a goalless draw against Hearts at White Hart Lane to record a 5-0 triumph on aggregate.
But Redknapp says the Croatian midfielder, who wants to join Chelsea in a £30million deal before the transfer window closes next week, is now almost certain to stay at Tottenham.
Redknapp, who said Modric had met with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy, said: "He'll be playing on Sunday for sure. I think there was a meeting. Daniel just said the same thing, he's not for sale.

"It's been difficult for him but we want him to stay and he will stay. He'll train tomorrow and Saturday and should be fit for Sunday.
"He could have kicked up and been a problem and if he had done it would have been difficult to keep him.
"If players want to be destructive they can be but he's not got that in his nature.
"He'll stay and play and will be great as he has been every other year."
When asked if the saga was now finished Redknapp said: "Yeah, I think it's finished."
Redknapp also believes Tottenham will bring in more players before the transfer deadline after Emmanuel Adebayor completed his season-long loan signing from Manchester City.
Adebayor was in the stands at White Hart Lane to watch the Hearts game and Real Madrid's Lassana Diarra could be the next through the north London club's gates.
Reports from Spain suggested the proposed move for the midfielder could have stalled but Redknapp insisted: "Things haven't broken down. There is still a good chance. the chairman is working on it.
"I signed him at Portsmouth and they sold him for £22million. He's real talent, a fantastic player and it's a real possibility still."
Liverpool's Joe Cole remains a Tottenham target and Redknapp also revealed the Adebayor transfer could be made permanent.
Redknapp said: "If he(Adebayor) comes in and does fantastic they'll all sing 'there's only one Adebayor'.
"If he's useless they'll sing something else. That's football and it has never changed.
"No-one has fallen out with the Arsenal fans more than he has. He's the most hated ex-Arsenal player in history.
"The fans will love the fact that the Arsenal fans don't like him.
"If he comes here and does great we will want to keep him here."
In the match itself Tottenham, with six academy youngsters in their squad, came closest to scoring when 18-year-old midfielder Harry Kane was brought down by goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald in the first half.
Kane got up to take the spot-kick himself, only to see MacDonald redeem himself when he saved the crisp right-foot shot low down to his right.
Hearts manager Paulo Sergio defended Scottish football after Celtic and Rangers also followed Hearts out of the Europa League on a night of misery.
"It's not in trouble," said Sergio. "I think there are great footballers in Scotland.
"I think there are great teams in Scotland too, stronger than ours but this is football.
"Sometimes the strong ones don't win. I don't believe that Maribor and Sion have stronger squads than Celtic or Rangers but football is that.
"We should encourage (Celtic manager) Neil Lennon and (Rangers boss) Ally McCoist. We don't think there is a big problem in Scottish football.
"Last week the national team beat Denmark. They did it very well, with class so I don't want Scottish football to be compared to something I'm doing wrong.
"We have to be proud of ourselves and improve what we are doing.
"I have to say thanks to our great supporters who came here. They did very well. They won their game. We didn't win our game but they did."



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[h=1]Blackburn target handed stark fitness ultimatum[/h] Published 22:59 25/08/11 By Alan Nixon

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/tra...i-if-doesnt-prove-fitness-article790488.html#


Blackburn will sign Vedad Ibisevic on Friday for £6million – provided the striker proves his fitness.
Ibisevic's personal terms have already been agreed and the Hoffenheim ace is to fly in from Germany for tests on a thigh injury.
Rovers manager Steve Kean wants to be sure the Bosnian is ready to fill the hole in his attack – if he isn't, he will switch his attention to Ajax's Moroccan striker Mounir El-Hamdaoui.
"Ibisevic had a good scoring record before he picked up a knee injury a couple of years ago," said Kean. "Now he has a separate injury and he has not played as much."

The Rovers chief wants a decision made right away after also teeing up El-Hamdaoui.
"It is one or the other," said Kean. "We need somebody with a track record of scoring."
Blackburn are also trying to sign a centre-half on loan, with Manchester City's Nedum Onuoha in pole position.



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[h=1]Cesc Fábregas backs Samir Nasri's criticism of Emirates atmosphere[/h] • Fábregas says Arsenal are missing 'special' Highbury
• Nasri claimed fans are 'not that passionate' since move




  • Press Association
  • guardian.co.uk, Thursday 25 August 2011 16.07 BST Article history
    Cesc Fábregas says Arsenal are missing their 'special' former home at Highbury. Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

    The former Arsenal captain Cesc Fábregas has endorsed Samir Nasri's criticism of the atmosphere at the club's Emirates Stadium, admitting he "never felt at home as I was at Highbury".
    Fábregas, asked about the interview given by Nasri following his move to Manchester City in which he criticised the home fans' lack of passion since the move in 2006, agreed that their former home was "special".
    Fábregas said: "I have never felt at home as I was at Highbury at any other stadium in the world but it was not my decision, it was the club's decision, it was what they needed in that moment.
    "Highbury was a special thing that I don't think will happen any more, but Arsenal have to make the Emirates their own home now and with their own cabinet of trophies to start all over again."
    Fábregas, speaking ahead of Barcelona's Uefa Super Cup match against the Europa League winners, Porto, said he had been nervous watching Arsenal's win over Udinese in the Champions League on television, but backed his old team-mates to make real progress this season.
    "I watched it and became a bit scared when they scored and got the penalty, but I think after we saved the penalty the game became more comfortable for us and I think we played very well.
    "I'm very happy for Arsenal and their fans because they deserve to be in the Champions League. It's a big boost for the club and the players, because it is a very difficult season and I am sure from this they will get so much confidence they can move forward."

 
[h=1]Liverpool prepared to let Joe Cole talk to Tottenham Hotspur[/h] • Kenny Dalglish close to signing Sebastián Coates
• Alberto Aquilani goes to Milan on a season‑long loan




  • Tim Rich
  • guardian.co.uk, Thursday 25 August 2011 23.00 BST Article history
    Liverpool are prepared to let Joe Cole talk to Tottenham Hotspur. Photograph: Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images

    While Liverpool are prepared to let Joe Cole go to Tottenham Hotspur, Kenny Dalglish is looking to bring in two players to Anfield.
    The Merseyside club are close to signing Nacional's 6ft 4in centre-half, Sebastián Coates, who excelled in Uruguay's Copa América campaign.
    A deal to bring Craig Bellamy back to Anfield also looks likely. The move that would take Bellamy back to Liverpool, where he spent a single season, gained momentum when Manchester City indicated they would be prepared to settle the striker's £90,000-a-week contract to allow him to leave immediately.
    Meanwhile, Alberto Aquilani has, as expected, gone to Milan on a season‑long loan with a view to a permanent transfer.

 
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