Manchester City Sign Bacary Sagna and Fernando
Manchester City have signed Arsenal right back Bacary Sagna and defensive midfielder Fernando, according to reports from Sky Sports and The Times. Sagna is said to have signed a three-year contract and has already completed City’s medical whereas Francisco’s signing is said to be close to completion, both players transfers are awaiting announcement.
Sagna will be joining City from Arsenal where his contract expired after this past season. Sagna declined to sign a two-year extension that was offered by the Gunners. He debuted for Arsenal in 2007 after leaving Auxerre of Ligue Un and scored 5 goals in 284 appearances with the Gunners. He also added 22 assists. In his career in England he has also had two separate serious leg injuries, one that caused him to miss the UEFA Euro cup for the French National team.
A Defensive midfielder, Francisco debuted for Vila Nova in 2005 and joined FC Porto in 2008 where he’s been ever since. Francisco is reportedly transferring to City from Porto, he’s been a target in Manchester since January when a transfer deal fell through. Born in Brazil he stated his dream was to play for the Brazilian national team, but claimed Portuguese citizenship in 2014. Although he applied for Portuguese citizenship he was denied by FIFA because he had played for Brazil’s U-20 team.
Manchester City won the Barclays Premier League in the 2013-2014 season, holding off Liverpool and Chelsea thanks to a five-game winning run to end the campaign.
Aleksandar Kolarov signs new contract with Manchester City
Aleksandar Kolarov has said how happy he is to extend his stay at Manchester City, a club he calls his "home".
The 28-year-old left-back has signed a three-year extension to his contract at City which runs until June 2018 and was a key member of the squad that lifted the Barclays Premier League trophy last season, making 24 league appearances.
It was the second winners’ medal for the Serb who joined City from Lazio in July 2010 and has made 85 Barclays Premier League appearances, scoring five goals and providing 13 assists.
“I will give to this club probably the best stages of my football career and I am very happy that I continue with this club which feels now like my home,” Kolarov told the City website. “Last season I played a lot and I proved to people in the club that they can believe in me and the result was that I was offered a new contract and I was happy to sign. When we won two trophies last season [the league and Capital One Cup], I was happy with what we did and it’s good for the club and for me that we are here now.
After such domestic success, Kolarov is aiming for another league title as well as further progress in the UEFA Champions Legue.
“We can do a lot more things in the future,” he said. “We’ve won everything in England and we can do a lot more in Europe. So we’ll try to repeat what we did in England and try to win something in Europe. The most important thing in football is the result and we can do a lot more in the future."
Yaya Toure not going to leave Manchester City according to father
Yaya Toure is unlikely to leave Manchester City this summer, according to his father.
The Ivorian midfielder was heavily linked with a move away from the Premier League champions, but it appears now that he will be staying in Manchester next season.
The midfielder's adviser, Dmitry Seluk, previously revealed that Toure was considering leaving because he felt under-appreciated at the club, citing a bizarre birthday cake related incident as proof.
Paris Saint Germain were thought to be leading the chase to sign the player with Man City frustrated that Toure was unwilling to commit his future to the club.
Yaya Toure could leave Manchester City in the summer, claims his agent
However his father has denied that Toure is planning to quit the club.
"No, he won’t leave," Mory Toure said. "And it’s not even my wish that he leaves Manchester City. It’s said that the most wished for changes bring their sadness. And I reconfirm that he won’t leave.
"If Yaya wanted Manchester City to pay particular attention to the date of his birthday, it’s because he felt that it was the right moment for the club to show him their consideration for all the sacrifices made for City to be at this level
Inter Milan are considering offering Fredy Guarin as a part of a deal to nab Manchester City attacker Stevan Jovetic, according to reports from talkSHIT.
The San Siro giants have been heavily linked with a move for the Sky Blues’ Montenegrin ace in recent months, as they gear up for a major summer of transfer activity following their big money takeover.
Jovetic only joined City last year from Fiorentina, but Inter are confident that they can lure him back to Italy following the 24-year-old’s forgettable debut campaign in England.
The versatile forward missed much of the season through injury, and saw his attitude and work rate questioned by Manuel Pellgrini.
Despite this the Premier League champions are keen to keep him, but Inter are ready to tempt them to sell by offering Guarin as a part of a deal.
The Colombian international has been linked with Chelsea and Manchester United in recent times, and is considered to be one of Serie A’s top midfielders.
The San Siro side may include him with a cash payment to get close to the £22m City shelled out for Jovetic last summer.
Milner thankful for Pellegrini's trust
The Englishman has expressed pride at briefly wearing the armband and being given a prominent role by his manager last season.
James Milner revelled in the trust that Manuel Pellegrini had in him in City’s victorious season.
And now the midfielder, who played a big part in the Blues’ charge to the top, might be wondering why England boss Roy Hodgson does not have the same faith.
Milner is destined to start tomorrow’s World Cup opener on the bench despite taking part in 31 of City’s 38 league games during the season.
His future at City has been called into doubt with suggestions emanating from his camp that he may seek a move away from the Etihad Stadium this summer.
Milner is expected to talk to City about a new contract this summer, with just one year left on his current deal, but sources close to the player claim he is considering his future strictly for football reasons.
Of his 31 league appearances last season, Milner started just 12, and he only had three starts in the Champions League, two of them in dead-rubber games.
Milner has also been frustrated by a lack of opportunity in his preferred central midfield role.
But in an interview for City’s season DVD, conducted in the week after the title win was secured with a victory over West Ham, Milner appeared very positive about his future with the club.
He did start in four of the last five games of the season, but that is in the context of injury problems for both David Silva and Jesus Navas.
But Pellegrini happily put faith in Milner at key moments in the season, such as the away leg in Barcelona, and the second half at Liverpool when he turned the game on its head before the Scousers’ cruel late winner.
He also played an important starting role in the crunch games at Crystal Palace and Everton, and at home to Aston Villa, and was named as captain for the first time in the FA Cup tie against Blackburn.
That was heartening for the 28-year-old Yorkshireman, who said: “You always want to play as much as you can, contribute to the team.
“To play in those three big games, help get those results and be part of it, was really pleasing. It was massively important to know it was in our hands.
“To be part of them and to contribute was great.
“Being made skipper against Blackburn was great - it showed the trust the manager has in me. Vinny’s the captain but it’s important to have leaders in the dressing room, a lot of vocal players - and I think we have that.”
Milner was also positive on the subject of Pellegrini, adding: “It takes some doing to come to England and do what the manager has done, adapting to a new league.
“He changed a few things, the lads have taken it on board and gone with it. He didn’t panic when things weren’t going for us. He stuck to his guns and told us to keep doing what we were doing.
“People forget about the League Cup but to win both is a really successful season. Hopefully we can enjoy it for a bit.”
He was also looking ahead to next season’s challenges, which would not seem to be the words of a man desperate to leave. He said: “Everyone keeps talking about next season but you have to enjoy it for a few weeks first – because it’s difficult to win trophies. Then you get on it next season and go all guns blazing again.”
Milner’s future is also important to City in terms of their Champions League squad, as he currently helps to fulfil the quota of five home-grown players required by UEFA, along with Joe Hart, Gael Clichy, Richard Wright and Dedryck Boyata.
But for now Milner is focussed on England’s chances at the World Cup finals – and he feels the vibrancy of Brazil’s football culture, and the thrusting youngsters in the England squad are a good combination.
“I’ve been to a World Cup and a Euro before,” he said. “That experience will help. But a World Cup in Brazil... We played a friendly there last year. The atmosphere was amazing. The whole country is driven by football.
“We stayed on the beach last year – at 11pm or midnight there are people on the beach playing head tennis, beach soccer.
“I think it’s tough but you’re at a World Cup. Teams are there for a reason - because they are the best teams in the world. I think the first game is always important - we need a good result there. It’s out in the rainforest and it’s going to be pretty warm.
“With the team we’ve got, a lot of lads are in good form, they’ve had really good seasons. Hopefully they can feed off that energy from having a good season and take it into the tournament.
“As a group going forward we’ve got great experience, a lot of youth. It’s a really good mix. With that mix of energy, youth and experience, I’m sure we can do good things.”
[spoiler]Mats Hummels girlfriend poses in her underwear. What a lucky guy
[/spoiler]Bobby Charlton, a World Cup winner in 1966, has told England players the most beautiful sensation of your lives is within reach on the eve of their first game against Italy. DSSC
Manchester United forward Danny Welbeck, 23, has declared himself fit for England's opener against Italy. Guardian
Uruguay may leave Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, 27, out of their starting line-up to face England in Sao Paulo next week if they win their opening match against Costa Rica. Times
Chelsea striker Samuel Eto'o, 33, has been criticised for "treason" after being at the centre of strike action by Cameroon's World Cup squad. Independent
Netherlands and Manchester United striker Robin van Persie, 31, has revealed he hopes to carry on playing for another 11 years. Sun
Mexico manager Miguel Herrera claims they can win the World Cup as he drops Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez, 26, for his country's opener against Cameroon. Daily Mirror
Juventus' on-loan forward Dani Osvaldo, 28, has vented his fury over the ongoing World Cup, saying he is glad to not be a "part of this farce" after he was not included in Italy's 23 player list. Tuttosport
Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church, has urged football fans to enjoy the World Cup in a "spirit of true brotherhood". Marca
Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku scored 15 goals while on loan at Everton last season
Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku, 21, has rejected a summer move to West Ham for the second year running but could go to German side Wolfsburg. Daily Mirror
Manchester United have switched their attention to Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, 29, after missing out on his Germany team-mate Thomas Muller, 24. Daily Star
Arsenal are ready to offer £5m for Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina. Napoli, where he spent last season on loan, have not made a bid for the 31-year-old. Metro
The Gunners are looking to appease fans unhappy at missing out on re-signing Cesc Fabregas, who has moved from Barcelona to Chelsea, by making a move for 21-year-old defender Bressan from Brazilian side Gremio. Daily Express
Manager Arsene Wenger is also closing in on a deal to bring 25-year-old Real Sociedad striker Carlos Vela back to Arsenal with the Gunners set to activate a £3.5m buyout clause. The Sun
Liverpool are hoping they can win the race for Schalke's £8m-rated Max Meyer, 18, ahead of Arsenal and Chelsea. Daily Express
Montpellier chairman Louis Nicollin claims his club are being "treated like idiots" after a "derisory" £8m bid from Newcastle for France midfielder Remy Cabella, 24. Daily Telegraph
Hull City are interested in Sheffield United central defender Harry Maguire, 21, who could cost £1.5m. DSSC
Premier League new boys Leicester City are keen on Feyenoord's £8m-rated striker Graziano Pelle, 28. DSSC
Barcelona midfielder Alex Song, 26, has been told he can leave the Nou Camp, with Manchester United tracking the former Arsenal star. TalkSHIT
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has given the go ahead for the club to make a move for Chelsea's 27 year-old Brazilian footballer Ramires. Marca
Paris St-Germain have made it clear they are unwilling to sell their 21 year-old Italian midfielder Marco Verratti, despite strong interest from Real Madrid. Marca
Sochaux have decided to release their 26-year-old midfielder Kalilou Traore, who is under contract with the French club until June 2015. L' Equipe
Paris St-Germain would be interested in Chelsea's Petr Cech if the Blues decide to let go of their 32-year-old Czech goalkeeper. Le Figaro
Atletico Madrid are considering a £18m bid for Arsenal's 29 year-old Spanish midfielder Santi Cazorla. As.com
Chelsea's 23 year-old Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard says he has not received any offers from Paris St-Germain, despite reports linking him with the French club. Le Figaro
Valencia could face stiff competition from Sevilla and West Ham for Juventus' 30 year-old striker Mirko Vucinic. Tuttosport
Portugal's players have all been given personalised hotel rooms in an effort to maximise their performances at this summer's World Cup. Metro
Former England and Tottenham midfielder David Bentley, 29, who was released by Spurs 12 months ago, has retired. Sun
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