THE BOLLOX
Citizens want Pogba
Manchester City turn to Juventus ace as Toure replacement
Manchester City have targeted Juventus star Paul Pogba if key midfielder Yaya Toure leaves the Etihad this summer, Daily Star reports.
At the end of last season Toure’s Man City future was up for debate after the club failed to give the Ivorian their wishes on his 31st birthday.
Toure is reportedly frustrated at not receiving the same acknowledgement when compared to the likes of Sergio Aguero and captain Vicent Kompany.
And it seems that Toure is looking to leave Manchester this summer, with Ligue-1 side Paris Saint-Germain ready to make move.
If the two-time Premier League winner does decide to leave, then the Man City hierarchy will turn to Paul Pogba as the ideal replacement.
After leaving neighbours Manchester United a free to Juventus, the young Frenchman has developed into one of the best all round midfielders in the game.
And although United have been linked with a move to bring back their former starlet, French paper L’Equipe stated that the Citizens have now joined the race for his signature.
However Juve have set a £60million pricetag for Pogba’s transfer, a fee likely too high for City who are currently complying with FFP regulations.
Manchester City's high asking price for striker Alvaro Negredo, 28, has prompted Atletico Madrid to look elsewhere and the Spanish club have made a £14m offer for Bayern Munich forward Mario Mandzukic, 28
Sergio Aguero fit for Argentina's World Cup semi-final against Netherlands
Sergio Aguero has been declared fit to feature in Argentina's World Cup semi-final against the Netherlands after overcoming a muscle strain.
The Manchester City forward was absent from his nation's last two tournament fixtures due to injury, but is expected to rejoin the squad for Wednesday's clash after returning to training.
Argentina's team doctor Daniel Martinez told reporters: "Sergio has practiced three times. He's ready to play."
While Aguero is poised to make a return, his teammate Angel di Maria has been ruled out of the encounter after suffering a thigh injury in Argentina's 1-0 win over Belgium in the quarter-finals on Saturday.
Willy Caballero ready for Joe Hart back up role
Manchester City set to complete signing of £10m Malaga ace
Manchester City looks set to sign Willy Caballero from Malaga to serve as backup to Joe Hart, with the player ready to travel to the club to finalize negotiations, Mirror reports.
The two teams have reached an agreement over a £6 million deal for the goalkeeper with the offer having the potential to rise to £10million depending on his appearances and squad success.
Manuel Pellegrini looks to have successfully lured the 32-year-old to the Etihad after having worked together during their time at Malaga, before the Chilean manager made his switch to England.
Caballero was also being chased by Monaco and Barcelona, but with talks about to be completed, City could announce the signing of the Argentinian ace in the near future.
He featured in 38 matches for the La Liga side the previous season, conceding 46 goals and keeping 12 clean sheet, aiding his side to an 11th place finish.
Hammers to steal Barry
West Ham ready to pounce as Everton & Man City talks stall
West Ham are poised to snatch Gareth Barry from under the noses of Everton, according to reports from The Mirror.
The veteran midfielder spent last season on loan at Goodison Park from Manchester City, and is now a free agent after his contract with the Premier League champions expired.
But despite this, Everton are obliged to pay the Sky Blues £2m to bring in Barry on a full basis due to a clause inserted in the deal to take him to Merseyside last year.
The Toffees are far from keen to do this, while City are unwilling to back down.
This has left the door open for West Ham, who are able to enter discussions with the 33-year-old and bring him in for nothing.
Sam Allardyce has been tasked with playing more attractive football at Upton Park next term, and is thought to see Barry as a good addition his midfield.
The former England international is known to favour Everton, but with the standoff showing little sign of ending, he may be forced to look elsewhere.
His former club Aston Villa are also in the hunt.
Legendary Manchester artist and massive Blue Johnny Marr is to headline Manchester City’s Season Launch Party – City Live.
As lead guitarist and co-songwriter of The Smiths, Marr has received critical acclaim for his music and was named a 'God Like Genius' by the NME last year.
After a spell with The Cribs, Johnny Marr brought out his debut solo album last year, entitled The Messenger. With a new album due out at the end of 2014, Marr is sure to wow fans with his set.
Taking place on August 14 at Manchester Central, City Live is set to be even bigger, better and bluer than before. Last year's event saw thousands of City fans entertained by rocker Miles Kane.
Manchester City has once again enlisted the support of lifelong Blue and funny man Jason Manford who will host and compère the evening with his no-holds-barred approach.
It will also be the first chance for fans to get up close and personal with their heroes too, when new Club signings including Bacary Sagna and Fernando will be presented to the City faithful.
City Live will showcase what's in store for the 2014/15 season, both on and off the pitch, whilst connecting local and global fans like never before.
It will also see the club's end-of-season awards being presented to players. Gongs up for grabs include the Etihad Player of the Year and Goal of the Season - to name but a few.
Commenting on City Live, Johnny Marr said: "Like Manchester, City has always been a Club steeped in music.
"Going right back to Maine Road, there was always a couple of musicians or bands from across the City in the stands. It's the same today at the Etihad.
"City fans just know how to have a good time, so to play to a packed Manchester Central, will not only be a great party to mark the start of this season but also a special moment for me personally."
Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari says Neymar, 22, feared he was paralysed when the Barcelona forward sustained the back injury that ended his World Cup. Guardian
Chelsea winger Willian, 25, believes he can fill the void left by Neymar's absence and help Brazil to World Cup success. Daily Mirror
Netherlands winger Arjen Robben, 30, says he is tired of people criticising him after he admitted diving during the last-16 win against Mexico. Daily Mail
Netherlands keeper Tim Krul came on specifically for his country's penalty shoot-out win over Costa Rica and his former Newcastle manager - Glenn Roeder - says the 26-year-old is not averse to taking a spot-kick as well as saving them. Daily Express
Krul came on for 25-year-old Jasper Cillessen, who says he was not told about Dutch coach Louis van Gaal's decision to replace him for the penalty shoot-out and was "angry" at the decision. Daily Telegraph
Arsenal have renewed their interest in Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Lars Bender, 25, with Arsene Wenger also closing in on the signings of Barcelona winger Alexis Sanchez, 25, and Newcastle full-back Mathieu Debuchy, 28. Daily Telegraph
The Gunners have agreed a £34m fee for Sanchez but Barcelona are waiting to see if Italian club Juventus can match the offer. Liverpool are also interested in the forward but he is not keen on joining the Reds. Daily Mail
Manchester United have been told they must increase their offer for Feyenoord defender Daryl Janmaat, 24. Metro
Meanwhile, Red Devils winger Nani, 27, could play a key role in the club's pursuit of 27-year-old Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal. Manchester Evening News
Southampton are set to make an £8m offer for Cardiff City's 29-year-old goalkeeper David Marshall. Daily Mail
Cardiff boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says captain Steven Caulker, 22, will decide if he wants to join Queens Park Rangers after the clubs agreed a fee. Daily Express
West Bromwich Albion could complete their third summer signing in the coming days with defender Chris Baird, 32, in advanced talks. Birmingham Mail
Southampton manager Ronald Koeman plans to replace left-back Luke Shaw, who has joined Manchester United, with Colombia's 27-year-old Pablo Armero. Daily Mirror
Ashley Cole is a free agent after his contract at Chelsea came to an end and the 33-year-old left-back is in talks with several European clubs as he decides on his next move. Talksport
Hull City are expected to beat Crystal Palace, QPR and West Ham to the £4m signing of Tottenham defender Michael Dawson. The Sun
Louis van Gaal plans to bring his Netherlands World Cup tactics to Manchester United by playing 3-4-3 next season. Daily Mirror
Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku, 21, says he has a decision to make about his future at Chelsea this summer. Guardian
Monaco are interested in Newcastle's 24-year-old French midfielder Moussa Sissoko, who is also being chased by Liverpool. L'Equipe
Arsenal, Tottenham, Napoli and Borussia Dortmund are the top contenders for Southampton's 24-year-old French midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin. L'Equipe
Liverpool are eager to sell Daniel Agger and have offered the 29-year-old defender to Spanish giants Barcelona. Mundodeportivo
Manchester United and Paris St-Germain are willing to pay £47m for Real Madrid winger Angel di Maria. AS.com
Italian side Fiorentina could target Manchester United's 26-year-old Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini. Lefigaro
Monaco have asked Real Madrid to pay £63m if they want to sign Colombian midfielder James Rodriguez, 22. As.com
Veteran Colombian goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon, 43, has announced his retirement from football after his country's exit from the World Cup. Bild
AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi is concerned he will not get the right price for Arsenal target Mario Balotelli following the 23-year-old Italian striker's lacklustre performance at the World Cup. Bild
Former Swansea boss Michael Laudrup, who has recently taken over at Qatari club Lekhwiya, wants to sign Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez, 34. Marca
Belgium striker Divock Origi, 19, believes he will take away some important lessons from Brazil, tweeting: "Proud to be able to represent my country at the World Cup, It was a great learning experience! Thanks."
Brazil defender Dante, 30, is looking forward to the World Cup semi-final against Germany, tweeting: "We trained hard today to play Germany in the Fifa World Cup. We will be ready on Tuesday!"
Colombia celebrated their return home from the World Cup in the same memorable style as they did most of goals in Brazil. Metro
MORE BOLLOX SHORTLY
The mancityfans.net football forum
The BEST FORUM in all the land and all the world
