Friday's B*ll*x

[Chinners]

THE BOLLOX

City to offer Tottenham one of four stars as part of any Harry Kane deal
By FourFourTwo
Manchester City are reportedly prepared to offer Tottenham one of four big name players as part of a potential deal for Harry Kane.
Kane told Spurs in May that he wanted to leave the club this summer, and City have repeatedly been linked with the England captain and last season's Premier League Golden Boot winner.
And, according to L'Equipe (via talkSPORT), City - who were reported to have had a £100 million bid for the 27-year-old turned down last month - could try to tempt Spurs with one of Gabriel Jesus, Riyad Mahrez, Bernardo Silva and, perhaps most extraordinarily, Raheem Sterling.
Now, there's sweetening the deal - and then there's tipping a whole sack of sugar over it.
It must be said, though, Mahrez, Silva and Sterling, all feel far too valuable to the City cause for them to consider offloading - even if one of the world's deadliest hitmen is the ultimate prize.
Using Jesus as a makeweight feels rather more realistic - Kane's arrival would put paid to any chance of the Brazilian becoming City's main man at centre-forward after the departure of Sergio Aguero - although it's tough to argue that he'd suffice for Spurs as Kane's successor.
The 24-year-old, who's had five seasons at City after moving from Palmeiras, has scored 23 league goals in the last two campaigns - a good return considering a fair chunk of his 63 appearances in that time have come from the bench - but he can hardly match Kane in terms of style or creativity (then again, to be fair to Jesus, how many can?).
Then again, it doesn't sound like Spurs are remotely concerned about the possibility of their key man moving on this summer. As new boss Nuno Espirito Santo said recently, "Harry Kane is our player, period."

YOU KANE GO
Harry Kane poised for £160m move to Manchester City after Spurs boss Levy agrees to let him join English club
ENGLAND skipper Harry Kane is poised for a £160million move after Spurs chairman Daniel Levy agreed to let him join an English rival.
The Euros hero, 27, is set to join Man City on a record £400,000 a week.
Levy revealed his U-turn to Harry and his team last Friday. A source said: “Harry is delighted. He never wanted to leave on bad terms.
“His value has never been higher.”
Thrilled Harry told of his joy at his pending £160million Man City move while best man at his brother’s wedding.
Elder sibling Charlie is the England skipper’s agent and the good news was shared with family and friends at last Sunday’s nuptials.
Euros hero Harry, 27, is understood to have shaken hands on a £400,000-a-week deal with City after Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy finally caved in — having previously said he would only sell the star to a European club.
It will be a four or five-year deal - that is still to be finalised. (ie, The Sun have not finished making up the rest of this story just now)
Levy rang Harry and Charlie, 32, to tell them of his U-turn on Friday, two days before the older Kane’s wedding.
LEVY CAVED IN
A club source said last night: “Harry and Charlie got the call at the end of last week.
“Obviously Harry was delighted because he never wanted to leave Spurs, his beloved boyhood club, on bad terms.
“Daniel Levy is a canny operator though and after Harry’s brilliant efforts and goals at the Euros his value has never been higher.
“By waiting until now, he has probably put another £20million or so on his price tag. A contract with Man City has not yet been signed but this is Harry’s preference.
“It is also preferable from Spurs’ viewpoint.
“They do not want to lose him to another London side.
“Terms have provisionally been agreed, and it’s an incredible deal. It’s now just a case of dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s.
“Harry is in the pomp of his career, and wants to win trophies.
“This is a brilliant signing for both parties.”
It followed Spurs’ failure to win a trophy after losing to City in April’s League Cup Final.
He had previously spoken of his desire to win trophies and play regular Champions League football. Meanwhile, the popular striker, who turns 28 next week, celebrated his Euros success by secretly jetting off on holiday with his wife of two years, personal trainer Kate.
They took a private jet to the Caribbean after Harry’s four goals helped England’s young Lions to the Euros final — their best performance in a major tournament for 55 years.
The couple, who have three children, then returned for Charlie - who runs a successful London-based agency - and bride Hannah’s Essex wedding.
England’s Man City trio of Kyle Walker — a former teammate at Spurs — Raheem Sterling and John Stones are understood to have given Harry advice on where to live in the North West. City boss Pep Guardiola may be asked to offer some star players as part of the deal.
Harry has age on his side as he seeks another 95 goals to beat Alan Shearer’s Premier League record of 260.
He started with Ridgeway Rovers in North East London — where it also began for David Beckham — and was part of Arsenal’s academy before moving to Spurs.
Loan spells followed at Leyton Orient, Millwall, Norwich City and Leicester City before Harry became a first-team regular.
To get their man, City will smash the Premier League record transfer fee, currently held by Man United’s Paul Pogba at £89million. The transfer would also be a Spurs record — comfortably beating the £86million they got when Gareth Bale left for Real Madrid in 2014.
It would top the £47million Spurs got when Walker moved to Man City in 2017. Third on the list is cult hero Dimitar Berbatov, who Spurs sold to Manchester United in 2009 for £34.2million.

OTHER BOLLOX
France striker Kylian Mbappe, 22, is set to reject Paris St-Germain's latest contract offer and has his heart set on a move to Real Madrid, despite the French club's pursuit of 28-year-old Manchester United midfielder and international team-mate Paul Pogba. (Marca - in Spanish)

Pogba is expected to leave Manchester United this summer after rejecting a £350,000-a-week deal with the Premier League club not prepared to let him run down his contract and leave for free in 2022. (Mirror)

Manchester United are also struggling to reach an agreement with Real Madrid to sign France centre-back Raphael Varane, 28. The La Liga club are demanding £50m for the defender with United only willing to pay £40m. (Mirror)

Liverpool are one of several European clubs weighing up a potential move for AC Milan's Ivory Coast midfielder Franck Kessie, 24. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Newcastle are confident of securing Southampton and Gabon midfielder Mario Lemina, 27, after holding talks with a number of midfield targets who are out of the club's price range. (Northern Echo)

Eden Hazard, 30, has already made his feelings clear that a return to Chelsea is out of the question after Spanish media reported the Belgium midfielder had been offered to the Blues as Real Madrid look to offload him. (Mirror)

Arsenal have been told by Sheffield United to raise their offer for 32-year-old Aaron Ramsdale to more than £32m after having two bids rejected for the goalkeeper. (Times - subscription required)

Atalanta are interested in signing Colombia defender Davinson Sanchez, 25, as part of a deal that could see Argentina centre-back Cristian Romero, 23, move to Tottenham this summer. (Gianluigi Longari for Sportitalia)

Chelsea have opened talks with 21-year-old English right-back Dujon Sterling over a new contract. Chelsea's development squad coaches are understood to be impressed with Sterling's recovery and return to full fitness following a career-threatening injury. (football.london)

Chelsea are also interested in Argentine goalkeeper Sergio Romero, 34, who is a free agent after his Manchester United contract expired, as the Blues continue their search for a third-choice stopper to provide cover for Edouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga. (Telegraph - subscription required)

Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka is close to completing a move to Roma with the Serie A club keen for the Switzerland captain, 28, to join in time for their pre-season tour of Portugal next week. (Daily Mail)

Aston Villa could make an offer for River Plate's 21-year-old Argentina forward Julian Alvarez over the next week. (TNT Sports - in Spanish)

Tottenham and United States defender Cameron Carter-Vickers, 23, is the subject of interest from Newcastle, who are keen to land a centre-back after Brentford won the race to sign Celtic's Norway international defender Kristoffer Ajer, 23. (90Min)

WAG OF THE DAY

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MORE BOLLOX LATER

[RodneyRodney]

No way I want Jesus included in any swap deal for Kane. Mahrez can go, keep the others. 400K a week is too much, 160mill is too much.
Wai till next year & get Haaland for his buy out price.

[nottsblue]

Really hope the figures banded about for Kane are bollox

[sheblue]

What's it now 160 billion for Kane, plus half the squad and the South stand.
The Sun

[Outcast]

Really hope the figures banded about for Kane are bollox

I think it's the whole package deal, obviously our figures are quoted differently as you are well aware, any excuse to demean us.

Can't say I'm happy about it, but on the other hand this will send a massive message to our rivals and demoralise their confidence.

[salford city]

What's it now 160 billion for Kane, plus half the squad and the South stand.
The Sun

This will be what Sly sports understands

[Beefymcfc]

Seem to always get a mahussive City transfer story following a mahussive Rag transfer. Is it a coincidence?

[Beefymcfc]

Seem to always get a mahussive City transfer story following a mahussive Rag transfer. Is it a coincidence?

To offset the Sancho deal, TalkSport had some joker talking about us spending a billion euros, not pounds, euros, to then state that De Bruyne cost approx 70 million … euros!

Whichever whataboutery they use, even 70 million sounds good compared to some of the prices they’ve paid recently.

[tommyroland]

5 Tips To Properly Wash And Care For Your Water Repellent Hiking Pants

For those of you who are fans of camping and outdoor activities, there is a high likelihood that you already own at least a pair of hiking pants. Much as effective as the gear’s ability to keep you warm, dry and protected against all kinds of weather, there will come one day when you have to wash it for the first time. If you are a bit nervous and not knowing how to properly care for some high-tech backpacking pants, we are here to show you the way.

To not ruin your investment, you can read our 5 tips below to make sure no irreversible harms will be done to your best hiking pants on the market.

1. Study the label carefully

It would be a great idea to start off by reading the manufacturer’s instructions on a specific item. You should be able to acquire the basic information including the appropriate water temperature to wash your hiking pants in, no ironing or any kind of special treatments if required.

It is totally up to you to decide what you do with your outdoor gear if you think following the instructions is too time-consuming. Nevertheless, you will run the risks of having to throw away your once good pair.



2. Prepare your hiking pants for washing

If you notice some dry mud on your pants, you can try brushing them off or soaking them in lukewarm water first. Also, remember to check all pockets and turn the piece inside out before loading it in the washing machine. These preparation steps will provide better protection for the gear against any unforeseeable incident that might happen during the wash.

3. Pick the right detergent

Be conscious about the cleaning agent that you intend to use washing your good hiking pants. Real damages can just be around the corner if you choose the wrong one. We would highly recommend you to obtain one of those that are intended for rain gears. If not, try to stay close to non-biological detergents and never even think about applying fabric softeners – the technical hiking pants’ worst enemy.

Further Reading: Best Rated Hiking Pants

4. Retreat the fabric

it may seem necessary to point out that almost all the top-rated hiking pants today are water-resistant. Thanks to the final coat of Durable Water Repellent (DWR) on your outerwear of choice, your hiking pants can repel water, stop it from soaking inward and dampen the underneath layers. However, the chemical bond in the DWR finish, after a long time wearing, will break down becomes useless. When the time comes, you would need to retreat your gear to recover its waterproofing elements. Reapplying DWR is easy enough with the help of specialized wash-in chemicals, and the process is basically similar to regular washing but at low water temperature and in short cycles.



5. Dry the garment

In many cases of top hiking pants, it is heat that plays as the catalyst in reinforcing the items’ water-repellent ability. Therefore, many manufacturers advise their consumers to tumble dry their pairs of pants for hiking once in a while though it is not compulsory. The other times, you can air-dry your piece of outdoor gear by spreading it somewhere cool and airy but not directly under the sun.

If you choose to strictly stick to the 5 tips from above, we firmly believe that your favourite pair of hiking pants will be kept in great condition for a long time to come. You can also read more on our hiking pants review if you are interested in finding the best backpacking pants to go on your next adventures.

[nottsblue]

I also think it's the whole package deal

Welcome on board Tommy