Manchester City players, including Alvaro Negredo, return for pre-season training
Manchester City’s players have arrived back at the club for pre-season training – including apparently unsettled striker Alvaro Negredo.
Rumours persist that Negredo has grown tired of life in England and a poor second half of last season has contributed to his desire to return to Spain with Atletico Madrid interested.
If this video is good for anything then it is to remind us about the resources of Manchester City. Manuel Pellegrini would be forgiven for forgetting that he could still call upon the services of the likes of Scott Sinclair, John Guidetti and Jack Rodwell.
Another member of the returning clan was Micah Richards, the defender’s future appearing uncertain at City at the end of last season following City’s title win. But he looks happy, as happy as always does, and may relish the prospect of a new season, a new start.
Watch on youtube.comThere's an Argentine flavour to today's City-related media round-up, ahead of La Albiceleste's semi-final clash with the Netherlands.
After it was reported yesterday that Sergio Aguero has apparently been declared fit for the encounter, today's headlines turn to the other two members of the Blues' Argentine trio - Martin Demichelis and Pablo Zabaleta.
Let's start with the article in the Guardian, in which Owen Gibson reflects on Demichelis' 'resurrection' with the defender having 'risen above the ridicule to play a key role' for his side.
"Manuel Pellegrini may have been among those affording himself a wry smile as Martín Demichelis stiffened a hitherto shaky Argentina defence on Saturday and helped his country break their quarter-final hoodoo," writes Gibson.
"When Demichelis was blowing hard and trying in vain to plug the gaping holes in Manchester City’s midfield as Eden Hazard delighted in the freedom of a cold Etihad in early February during a 1-0 Premier League victory for Chelsea, it was hard to imagine the 33-year-old appearing again in a sky blue shirt let alone the famous stripes of the Albiceleste.
"His career total of international appearances seemed destined to stay stalled on 37, a total that included appearing in every one of Diego Maradona’s sides at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa during a run that ended at the quarter-final stage with a crushing 4-0 defeat by Germany.
"But despite his humiliation against Barcelona, Pellegrini never lost faith in Demichelis and he proved his worth in the run that took Manchester City to the title. The turning point arguably came on 15 March against Hull City at the KC Stadium. When Vincent Kompany, who was also on the losing side for Belgium on Saturday, was sent off, Demichelis led his side to a 2-0 victory through force of will.
"Sabella had been monitoring his form and had been in touch with the player to gauge his fitness and desire. When his long list was announced, Demichelis was a surprise inclusion and he kept his spot when it was whittled down to the final 23.
"For Demichelis, his unlikely resurrection offers the opportunity to banish memories of 2006, when he narrowly and unexpectedly missed out on the squad at the last minute, and the disappointment of the chaotic 2010 campaign."
Staying with La Albiceleste and Zabaleta has praised the national team's supporters.
Quoted in an article on SportsMole, the full-back insisted the travelling fans have spurred his side to the last four of the competition.
"Argentina fans have been fantastic," he gushed. "We can feel when we go out on the field that there are so many Argentinians there cheering us on, singing and it's great.
"This is what Argentinian supporters are all about. They make you feel very proud so this group is trying to give them a massive triumph. This is massive for us.
"We have all been working so hard to reach the semi-finals. I think it was a great game [against Belgium] and we played fantastic for 90 minutes. We deserved it, now is time to enjoy it. We need to have a good rest and be 100% for the next game."
Moving away from the World Cup and delving into some transfer speculation, the Daily Star claim Sunderland have joined Everton in the race to sign Jack Rodwell.
According to Ian Murtagh: "Black Cats' chief Gus Poyet has identified Rodwell as his top midfield target having lost Jack Colback, Craig Gardner and Ki from last season's squad.
"City are ready to loan out the 23-year-old, who has struggled to make an impact at the Etihad Stadium.
"But Poyet has a tough task on his hands to persuade Rodwell to join the Black Cats rather than his former club who sold him to City for £12m two years ago.
"Rodwell is desperate to move on having been starved of regular first team football for the past two seasons and would be guaranteed a place in the Sunderland engine room."
Goalkeeper Wilfredo Caballero is poised to become Manchester City's latest signing
Manchester City are reportedly set to sign goalkeeper Wilfredo Caballero from Malaga on a three-year contract.
The Argentinian had a medical on Monday and the Premier League champions are poised to unveil him as their third signing of the summer.
And the highly-rated Caballero, who is likely to cost around £6m, is seen as having the ability to act as a genuine rival to Joe Hart for the goalkeeper’s jersey at City.
The 32-year-old Caballero was an Olympic gold medal-winner in 2004 with Argentina and impressed during his spell at Malaga, where he played under City boss Manuel Pellegrini.
The new man will replace Costel Pantilimon, who has left for Sunderland, in the City squad.
Pantilimon usurped Hart as City’s Premier League goalkeeper for a brief period last autumn but primarily acted as an understudy to the England man.
City have already signed full-back Bacary Sagna and midfielder Fernando this summer, as they prepare for the defence of their crown.
I won't go back! Yaya Toure puts Chelsea and Liverpool on alert with Man City quit threat
YAYA TOURE has no intention of staying with Manchester City and is open to a move to Chelsea or Liverpool this summer.
Toure has publicly criticised City in recent weeks, firstly alleging that the Citizens failed to acknowledge his birthday and then claiming they denied him an opportunity to spend time with his dying brother.
Will City deny both those claims, it is clear that the relationship between club and player remains tense with some suggesting that Toure is agitating for a move or improved terms at the Etihad.
And now reports in France suggest that Toure is determined to force through a move before the start of next season.
While it is thought that PSG are Toure's most likely destination, it has been suggested that Chelsea or Liverpool remain alternative options.
Toure has previously denied that he wants to leave but French publication Le Parisien quote an unnamed Ivory Coast international teammate as saying: "He has accumulated too many grudges against [Manchester City's] leaders and he will not stay with them.
"He will do everything to ensure his departure this summer."
Toure signed a new four-year deal with City in April 2013 and it seems unlikely that the Manchester club would sell the midfield titan to a Premier League rival.
It now remains to be seen whether Toure is determined to force through a move, and, if so, whether Chelsea or Liverpool can see off PSG in the race for the 31-year-old.
Man City youngster Marcos Lopes joins Lille on loan
Manchester City’s young midfielder Marcos Lopes has signed for Lille on a season-long loan, reports Sky Sports.
City have high hopes for the 18-year-old, who joined the club from Benfica in 2011. The Portuguese playmaker has made five appearances for the club in cup competitions, though he has yet to appear in the Premier League.
His most most notable display for the first-team came in the second leg of the Capital One Cup semi-final against West Ham last season, where he set up two goals in a 3-0 victory. His only goal for City came on his debut against Watford in the FA Cup. He replaced David Silva in the final minutes, and scored from close-range.
Speaking to Man City’s official website about the move to Lille, Lopes said: ”I feel very happy to have signed because it is a new step in my career and it is a good opportunity for me to develop as a player.
“It is very important for me to play in a professional league for the first time. I think playing in the French League will be very beneficial because it is a league that is getting bigger, better and stronger every year.”
Lille finished third in Ligue 1 last season to secure a place in the Champions League qualifying rounds.
The 18-year-old is excited about the prospect of playing in Europe’s leading club competition, adding: ”It would be very exciting to be able to play Champions League football. It would be such a good experience for me to play in that competition, which everyone recognises as the best in European football.”
Sunderland join Everton in race for Manchester City's Jack Rodwell
SUNDERLAND will go head-to-head with Everton for Manchester City outcast Jack Rodwell.
Black Cats' chief Gus Poyet has identified Rodwell as his top midfield target having lost Jack Colback, Craig Gardner and Ki from last season's squad.
City are ready to loan out the 23-year-old, who has struggled to make an impact at the Etihad Stadium.
But Poyet has a tough task on his hands to persuade Rodwell to join the Black Cats rather than his former club who sold him to City for £12m two years ago.
Rodwell is desperate to move on having been starved of regular first team football for the past two seasons and would be guaranteed a place in the Sunderland engine room.
Argentina are set to gamble on the fitness of Sergio Aguero, 26, for Wednesday night's semi-final against the Netherlands after the striker missed two matches with a groin injury. Daily Mirror
Man City target will forego signing on bonus to sign
Manchester City have received a boost in their pursuit of Roma’s Mehdi Benatia, as it has emerged that the Roma centre-back is prepared to forego his signing on bonus in an attempt to join the Etihad club this summer, reports Inside Futbol. The Roma star has been heavily linked with the Premier League champions for weeks now, and he looks intent on making the potential move a reality.
The Moroccan defender became a central figure within Roma’s relatively successful season last year. The Italian club finished second in the Serie A and qualified for the Champion’s League in the process, although they were a considerable distance behind the league winners, Juventus.
Benatia’s subsequent contract disputes with the club have received plenty of media coverage. The player believes that Roma have failed to meet the promises that they made to him upon his signing for the team 12 months ago. The defender also believes that he should be given a greater wage packet, in light of his influential on-field performances. The player made 30 appearances for Roma last year, and scored 5 goals.
At Man City, he can certainly expect a pay-rise, and he is prepared to waiver a £3 million signing on bonus in order to get it. The idea is that the money Manchester City save by not awarding the bonus can be put towards the overall transfer fee. That fee is yet to be finalised between the two clubs, although it is believed that the Benatia asking price is around €40 million. A Bayern Munich bid of €33 million was rejected earlier last month
Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal is a "genius" and the right man to bring success back to Manchester United, according to former Dutch midfielder Ronald de Boer. TalkSHITE
Brazil's players have been to see the team psychiatrist to help them get over the shock of losing forward Neymar, 22, to a back injury. Daily Mirror
Netherlands goalkeeper Tim Krul's mind games during the penalty shoot-out win over Costa Rica have been backed by former Sunderland midfielder Don Hutchison - who claims he once did the same to former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer during a Tyne-Wear derby. Newcastle Chronicle
Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, 27, is in limbo as his move to Barcelona is being held up by a dispute over how to structure the £75m fee. DSSC
France right-back Mathieu Debuchy, 28, is expected to have a medical at Arsenal this week in preparation for a proposed £7.9m move from Newcastle United. Guardian
Newcastle United could be offered Costa Rica World Cup striker Joel Campbell, 22, as part of the deal that takes Debuchy to Arsenal. Newcastle Chronicle
The Gunners may also offer right-back Carl Jenkinson, 22, to the Magpies if their bid for Debuchy comes to fruition. DSSC
Barcelona have joined Manchester United in the race for Borussia Dortmund's German World Cup defender Mats Hummels, 25. Daily Express
Liverpool have been forced to admit defeat in their attempts to sign Barcelona attacker Alexis Sanchez, 25, who looks set to join Arsenal instead. Liverpool Echo
Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o, 33, is in line to join former Chelsea team-mate Ashley Cole at Roma after leaving Stamford Bridge. DSSC
Cole, 33, has taken a pay cut of around 75% in signing for the Italian Serie A outfit. The Sun
Liverpool have been told they must raise their bid to £25m if they want to sign Croatia central defender Dejan Lovren, 25, from Southampton. Daily Star
Benfica's Serbian winger Lazar Markovic, 20, will become a worldwide star when he completes a move to Liverpool, says his international boss Ljubinko Drulovic. Daily Mirror
Inter Milan and Galatasaray are competing for 28-year-old Southampton striker Dani Osvaldo, who spent the latter part of last season on loan at Juventus and has not reported for pre-season training with the Saints because of illness. Southern Daily Echo
Nike will next year end a kit supply deal with Manchester United dating back to 2002 because the American sportswear firm does not believe renewing it makes commercial sense. Reuters
However Nike has insisted it is still in discussions with United over extending their agreement. DSSC
Brazil defender David Luiz has tweeted support for injured team-mate Neymar, insisting he is still a part of their bid to reach the World Cup final despite a back injury.
BBC World Cup presenter Gary Lineker used a rest day on Monday to take in the stunning views above Rio de Janeiro, tweeting: "Sunset chopper flight above Rio. One of the most jaw-droppingly awesome things I've ever done."
Colombia's players returned home as World Cup heroes after reaching the quarter-finals for the first time - and have been immortalised as toy figurines, as goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon has posted on Instagram.
Luis Suarez shirts are already on sale in a Barcelona sports shop, even though his proposed move from Liverpool has yet to go through. Independent
MORE BOLLOX SHORTLY
