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Aleksandar Kolarov ponders leaving City
ALEKSANDAR KOLAROV will leave Manchester City if he is not playing regularly under new manager Manuel Pellegrini.
The Serbia left-back found the net in City’s emphatic 5-3 pre-season win over AC Milan in the Audi Cup.
However, Kolarov is considering his options due to the arrival of Pellegrini this summer.
“I want to stay in Manchester, but it is only logical that should I not be given any space in the team then I’ll have to evaluate a few things,” he said.
Audi Cup Finals 2013: Previewing Manchester City vs. Bayern Munich
The Audi Cup may not be the most prestigious competition in the world, but it's going to provide us with a world-class matchup when Manchester City and Bayern Munich meet in the finals.
City, who finished as the runners-up in both the Premier League and FA Cup, clinched their spot in the finals by virtue of a 5-3 victory over Serie A power Milan. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich, fresh off their Bundesliga and Champions League victories, advanced by way of a 2-0 victory over Brazilian club Sao Paulo.
Bayern Munich are one of the top-three clubs in the world, while City are eager to prove that their slew of summer signings will allow them to take the next step as a club.
Here's a look at the top players and storylines to watch heading into the exciting finale of the tournament.
Ribery made his return to the lineup against Sao Paulo after an injury forced him to miss some preseason action, according to Goal.com.
While he was relatively quiet in the match, his development in new manager Manuel Pellegrini's system will be one of the key storylines for the club this season. According to WhoScored.com's player rating metric, he was the club's top player last season.
Ribery anticipates that Pellegrini's changes in tactics will make the club even more dangerous, telling Bundesliga.com that opponents will have a difficult time keeping up.
Last season we won everything and if we didn't make any changes, our opponents would be more able to adapt to us. The new system makes our game even harder to second-guess. We can change tactics mid-match or switch a few players around to give the opposition even more trouble.
While it's a positive sign that Ribery is on board with the changes, fans will want to see how he actually fits in on the pitch.
If City's 5-3 win over Milan is any indication of the season to come, the club's new-look offensive attack is going to be something to behold.
New addition Stevan Jovetic didn't score a single goal, but he set up David Silva's goal just three minutes into the match and was active throughout his time on the pitch.
But Jovetic didn't come to Manchester to rack up assists. He came to score goals. The Citizens scored five goals in the match, but the 23-year-old Montenegrin didn't notch any of them. Scoring against Bayern Munich will be much more difficult, but the match will provide a much better indication of Jovetic's potential contributions to the club.
City seemingly scored goals at will against Milan but made the match closer than it had to be by giving up three consecutive goals. Things won't be any easier against Bayern Munich.
Led by Philipp Lahm and David Alaba, Munich's defense has long been a strength. Munich kept the offensively adept Sao Paulo side off the scoreboard by dominating possession and denying nearly every advance that the opponents could muster.
How much success Jovetic, Silva and Edin Dzeko can have against the back line will determine whether or not they can upset the German powerhouse.
QPR defender pays tribute to former Man City team-mates
NEDUM Onuoha is relishing the prospect of playing alongside Richard Dunne in QPR's new-look defence.
With Chris Samba sold back to Anzhi and Armand Traore set to depart, boss Harry Redknapp has been reshuffling his back line during pre-season.
Former Manchester City and Aston Villa centre-back Dunne has been brought in to help plug the gap in the middle.
And Onuoha admits he's champing at the bit to feature alongside his old City pal.
“He was playing at centre-back when I first came through at Man City,” said Onuoha.
“I’m definitely looking forward to playing with him, he’s a top quality player, and I wouldn’t be in the position I'm in now without people like him.
“You need people like him and Sylvain Distin, who was also there, to help your transition into the first-team. He’s a commanding sort of player. I have the confidence we are a good side and having people like that is only going to help us out.
“I’ve seen him on a week-to-week basis and he has got the experience and is a very clever player as well.
“Mentally he’s very fast and is good on the ball as well, which aren’t necessarily things you might think about him, but he’s a very good player.”
GOLDEN BOLLOX 1st August 1978
Young midfielder Ged Keegan is transfer-listed after failing to break into City’s first-team.
Keegan, who skippered City reserves for several years, rarely played for the senior side and was unfortunate to be at the club during what was a very settled period for the Blues with manager Tony Book rarely changing his starting eleven over a three-year period.
Keegan’s career high was appearing the 1976 League Cup final win over Newcastle United but he failed to establish himself thereafter. City slap a £50,000 price tag on his head and he eventually signs for Oldham Athletic in February 1979.
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[/spoiler]Tottenham Hotspur are prepared to sell forward Gareth Bale, 24, to Real Madrid and they will tell the Spanish club that the prospect of a deal would increase if 20-year-old striker Alvaro Morata were included as part of the package. Guardian
Barcelona are ready to make a last-ditch effort to buy Chelsea's £40m-rated 26-year-old defender David Luiz. Daily Mirror
Newcastle United hope they can put the finishing touches to a loan deal to bring 26-year-old Queens Park Rangers striker Loic Remy to Tyneside after a move for Aston Villa's Darren Bent, 29, collapsed on Wednesday night. Telegraph
But Magpies manager Alan Pardew says the club, who are also interested in Lyon's 27-year-old striker Bafetimbi Gomis, will "pursue their summer targets until they get them". Shields Gazette
Fulham have become the frontrunners to sign Villa's Bent, offering £6m after having an initial £4m bid turned down. DSSC
Midfielder Steven Gerrard, 33, hopes he can convince 26-year-old striker Luis Suarez, whom he calls "the best footballer he has ever played with", to stay at Liverpool. Telegraph
Roberto Soldado's protracted £25.8m club-record transfer to Tottenham is imminent after the 28-year-old striker was left out of Valencia's tour of the United States. Metro
Everton are not interested in a move for Queens Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton, despite the 30-year-old's desire to join his boyhood club. Liverpool Echo
Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea is desperate for Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas to join him at Old Trafford as boss David Moyes awaits a response to a £35m bid. Daily Express
Everton and QPR are set to compete for the signature of 28-year-old former Liverpool and Juventus midfielder Momo Sissoko. Daily Express
Uruguay captain Diego Lugano, 32, is heading to England for talks over a possible move to West Bromwich Albion. Express and Star
West Brom are also in talks with Salomon Kalou, 27, over a £40,000-a-week move to The Hawthorns. Sun
Fulham are closing in on Sunderland's 25-year-old midfielder and former captain Lee Cattermole. Daily Mirror
Stoke are showing interest in £5m-rated Hamburg striker Artjom Rudnevs, 25. DSSC
Stoke are eyeing a move for Colombian striker Juan Agudelo, 20, who plays for New England Revolution in the United States. Stoke Sentinel
Real Sociedad have emerged as a surprise destination for Josh McEachran next season with the Spanish side confident a loan move can be agreed with Chelsea for the 20-year-old midfielder. Daily Express
Bolton are set to complete the signing of Brazilian playmaker Andre Moritz, 26, on a free transfer, while striker Marvin Sordell, 22, is set to join Charlton Athletic on loan. The Bolton News
Gareth Bale could be worth more than the rest of the Welsh international football team combined, if Real Madrid's £85m transfer bid goes through. Wales Online
Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon believes the club are attempting to sign Bale to replace the unsettled forward Cristiano Ronaldo, 28. talkSHIT
Liverpool's best summer "signing" could be midfielder Steven Gerrard admits manager Brendan Rodgers. Daily Mirror
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has warned Frank Lampard, 35, he will get no special treatment at Chelsea this season. Sun
Former Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson has turned down a peerage and a seat in the House of Lords (Apparently because he's a bit of a drunken cunt). Daily Mirror
Swansea boss Michael Laudrup believes his side have the quality to match old club Getafe's spectacular run to the last eight of the Europa League. This is South Wales
Brazilian club Atletico Mineiro have accepted a £21.8m offer from Shakhtar Donetsk for midfielder Bernard, 20, although the player has yet to agree to a move to Ukraine. Arsenal and Porto are also interested in the Brazil international. O Povo
Polish striker Bartlomiej Pawlowski, 20, is to join Malaga on a season-long loan from Widzew Lodz. Marca
French side Lyon are ready to sell Michel Bastos, 29, to Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates. The Brazil international has been on loan with Schalke 04 since the beginning of the year. Sport24
Giulio Migliaccio and his club Atalanta have been summoned to a hearing by the Italian Football Federation after the midfielder was involved in an incident that saw a tank crush two cars. Metro
GOLDEN BOLLOX 1st August 2010
Manchester City back in for £50 million Fernando Torres
Manchester City will make a stunning 50 million pounds move for Liverpool's Fernando Torres but want an answer from him fast.
And if they cannot persuade the Spanish superstar to join Roberto Mancini's Eastlands revolution they will try to snare Diego Forlan with a 20 million pounds swoop. Megabucks City know they face an uphill task trying to take Torres to a club that is not playing Champions League football next season.
So they will move on quickly if their bid for Torres fails, confident they can do a deal with Atletico Madrid for Forlan at around 20 million pounds.
City want two new front men, with Inter Milan's Mario Balotelli the other target, to give them a formidable strikeforce and the chance of a title chase.
Torres is their No.1 choice and they know Liverpool will take their money.
But although the Anfield star is looking to move despite boss Roy Hodgson's claims he will have to be convinced to join City.
Chelsea are waiting to make an offer for Torres but want to avoid an auction.
Both clubs are also wary Manchester United could also come in and beat them to the Spaniard.
Because of those fears City have sounded out the Forlan camp and the ex-United hero is willing to come back to England.
While Tottenham could not afford his wages, personal terms are no problem to City.
Liverpool also see Forlan as a potential replacement for Torres.
Citys move covers them against the possibility of losing Carlos Tevez who is a 40 million pounds target for Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid.
Manchester City offer trial to ex-Barcelona wonderkid Gai Assulin
MANCHESTER CITY will take a look at former Barcelona starlet Gai Assulin this week in one of their surprise transfer swoops of the summer.
The Israeli teenager – who is in the same mould as Argentine magician Lionel Messi – quit the Nou Camp last month because he was struggling to get a game.
City have invited Assulin, 19, and his French agent to Eastlands for talks and hope to sign the youngster if he has fully recovered from a knee injury that slowed down his promising career.
The attacking midfielder forced his way into the Barca side at 16, before missing a whole year with a knee ligament problem.
But he has been left frustrated in the Catalan club's reserves, despite being fit for the past season.
Gifted Assulin was recently a target for Blackburn Rovers, but failed to show up for a training spell at Ewood Park as he wants to sign for a bigger club.
City have a massive squad and are looking to shed many of their senior pros, yet they are also still hunting for the next generation of stars.
Assulin has already been capped by Israel, but does not need a work permit as he has a Spanish passport after spending so long living in his adopted country.People
MANCHESTER CITY will step up their pursuit of James Milner this week.
They plan to approach Aston Villa with a new set of proposals, despite refusing to meet Martin O'Neill's £30million asking price.
Their current bid stands at £20m plus add-ons which could take it up to £24m, but they are now willing to go as high as £25m with extras.
City are prepared to start negotiations all over again if Villa are interested in a part-exchange deal involving a number of their disenchanted players, including Stephen Ireland, Nedum Onuoha, Wayne Bridge and Micah Richards.
Milner, 24, earns a comparatively modest £35,000-a-week at the Midlands club but City's wage offer of £80,000-a-week is not that much more than what Villa are willing to pay him if he decides to sign a new contract.
Roberto Mancini's side are prepared to walk away from the deal if a compromise cannot be reached, which could potentially leave the door open for Tottenham to try their luck. NOTW
Agent of Manchester City striker Robinho in talks with Inter Milan
While Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli appears to be heading to Manchester City , Brazilian forward Robinho could well be going in the opposite direction.
According to Tuttosport, Robinho 's agent, Juan Figer, was in Milan yesterday trying to hammer out an agreement with the Serie A side.
The paper said that Manchester City would be willing to offer Robinho out on loan to the Treble winners in a bid to get him off their wage bill and increase his value with a view to a possible future sale.
It comes despite Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini saying last week that he would be to prepared to welcome back the Brazilian for this coming season.
The 26-year-old arrived at Manchester City from Real Madrid for €42.5million two summers ago to much fanfare. He has since proved to be an expensive luxury and spent the latter half of last season at Santos.
Roque Santa Cruz is a loan target for French champions Marseille. The injury-prone Manchester City striker cost £17.5m just 12 months ago but boss Roberto Mancini is now desperate to sell him. Sunday Mirror
EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR has been told he can leave Manchester City - with Juventus ready to pounce.
The ex-Arsenal striker arrived at Eastlands just 12 months ago but City are willing to let him go if a permanent deal can be done with Serie A giants Juve or AC Milan.
Adebayor has agents seeking out potential destinations but his £130,000-a-week wages are making loan deals the most viable option.
He has been told that if he stays at City he is likely to play next season, but boss Roberto Mancini desperately needs to trim his 38-man squad to comply with new Premier League rules that allow a maximum of 25 players.
Adebayor, 26, cost £25million last summer and so far the only firm offer has been a loan bid from Marseille, who have no chance of covering even half his wages.
There has been no interest from any English clubs in the player who scored just 14 goals in his first season at Manchester City.
The Eastlands club are expected to announce the £25m signing of Mario Balotelli from Inter Milan this week once they have settled some agents' fees.
The Italians will receive a total fee of £30m dependent on the player's success, while City want to pay him £70,000 a week plus bonuses. One minor sticking point could be Inter's request for a first-refusal buy-back option in the event Balotelli fails to settle in England. NOTW
Redknapp says Manchester City's Stephen Ireland out of Tottenham's price range
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has said that although he would be interested in signing Stephen Ireland , the Manchester City midfielder is out of Spurs' price range.
Ireland is clearly disgruntled at his limited opportunities under Roberto Mancini, but insists that he has never asked to leave Manchester City and is prepared to fight for his place.
He is quoted in the Sunday Mirror saying, “I have never once said I wanted to leave or kicked up a fuss,
“The way it stands at the moment I am working my socks off in training and trying to prove to the gaffer that I am good enough to stay."
However, with Mancini required to name a 25-man squad by the end of the month, he will have to offload players, with the out of favour Ireland rumoured to be one of the most likely to be sold.
Tottenham have been linked with Ireland for some time. White Hart Lane boss Harry Redknapp has now admitted that although he is interested in signing the Irish international, Ireland is probably unaffordable for Tottenham.
Redknapp told the Sunday Mirror, “I like him, but he is expensive.
“Maybe he’ll be £11m or 12. We wouldn’t be in a position to spend that much on him if that’s what they’re wanting.”
