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Monaco Could Hijack Tottenham Move For Joao Moutinho

Posted by & filed under AS Monaco, Carousel Story, FC Porto, Features, Football and Soccer, French Ligue 1, Homepage, La Liga, Manchester City FC, Mobile App Stories, Other Major Clubs, Premier League, PSG, Real Madrid, Tottenham FC, Tottenham Hotspur FC, Transfer Rumours.

Jaoa Moutinho PortoSpurs target could be set for a move to France.

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Big-spending French outfit Monaco could hijack Tottenham’s move for Porto midfielder Joao Moutinho, according to Le 10 Sport.

The Portuguese playmaker was a target for Spurs last summer and could be again this year as they continue to seek a long-term replacement for Luka Modric, who was sold to Real Madrid at the start of the season.

Andre Villas-Boas is a fan of the 26-year-old, and worked with him for one season when he was Porto manager, as the two enjoyed great success, winning the treble.

However, Monaco are keen to spend a lot on some big name players in this transfer window as they prepare for life in Ligue 1 next term. They have already been linked with the likes of Carlos Tevez, Radamel Falcao and Dani Alves.

They could also move for Spurs striker Emmanuel Adebayor, and it is understood that the Togolese forward is surplus to requirements after an indifferent season at White Hart Lane.

Spurs may also not be able to afford the £33million asking price for Moutinho, unless they sell star player Gareth Bale to Real Madrid or Manchester United this summer.

Premier League fans verdict part 2: QPR to Wigan Athletic

Posted by & filed under Features, football, guardian.co.uk, Premier League, QPR, Reading, Southampton, Sport, Stoke City, Sunderland, Swansea City, Tottenham Hotspur, West Bromwich Albion, West Ham United, Wigan Athletic.

Stoke stayed up but football often terrible; Swansea need quality striker to back up Michu; West Brom had a ‘special season’

QPR 2/10

Things could not have gone much worse really. Overpaid, overhyped and underachieved. We have paid a king’s ransom in wages that would take on the GDP of a small country and what do we have to show for it? Bottom of the league and relegated in April.

Star man Loïc Rémy performed admirably to get as many goals as he has in a poor team, while Clint Hill continues to perform beyond his capabilities. Other than that it’s been misery from front to back.

The flops I would call José Bosingwa a flop, but that would indicate I had a level of expectation. I have been disappointed with two signings in particular: Park Ji-sung has evidently received some misguided lip service previously – how he passes as a footballer is beyond me. Esteban Granero is undoubtedly talented but unable to keep up with the pace of Premier League football.

The gaffer 5/10 Harry Redknapp attempted to mould a side with very little to work with. His attempt to patch things up in January gave us a fighting chance but the mess he walked into will not improve until he can shift out the troublemakers.

Who should he sign? A blend of Championship experience and youthful exuberance. Players who care about the shirt. A forward to replace Rémy, who will leave, and more sprightly replacements for the ones we inevitably show the door to.

Best visiting fans Southampton were loud, proud and backed their manager. Worst Chelsea were fairly uninspiring for a local fixture.

Adam Boxer, QPR.VitalFootball.co.uk

Reading 4/10

No one is happy when the team gets relegated from the Premier League, even if it is expected for at least one of the newly promoted teams to return straight back to the Championship – I was fairly relaxed with Reading until February and March, which was our undoing: losing the games against Villa and Wigan sunk the ship.

Star men Alex McCarthy, Adrian Mariappa, Alex Pearce and Sean Morrison.

The flops Danny Guthrie and Pavel Pogrebnyak.

The gaffer 5/10 Brian McDermott was sacked after the poor results referred to above and Nigel Adkins was brought in too late to be able to stop the downward spiral. McDermott will always be respected for getting the club into the Premier League after the disappointment in the play-offs the previous season.

Who should he sign? It will be more a question of who we can hold on to and who we want to get moved on as the squad will hopefully be in the shake-up for promotion next season.

Best visiting fans Man City, Spurs, Newcastle.

Worst The usual suspects in Chelsea, West Ham and Man United and disappointingly a significant minority of Liverpool fans, who almost managed to undo a lot of goodwill extended to their club in regard to Hillsborough over the years in one afternoon.

Ian Maynard, Observer reader

Southampton 10/10

This season was all about survival. We were bottom in November, so it’s been a fantastic turnaround.

Star man Morgan Schneiderlin has taken to life with England’s elite like a duck to water. Tirelessly covering every blade of grass, his consistently good performances won him both fans’ and players’ player of the season. Rickie Lambert loves proving his doubters wrong. With 14 goals in his first Premier League season, he’s shown he can compete at this level and he brings more to the team than goals.

The flops Gastón Ramírez hasn’t lived up to the his £12m price tag. He has shown glimpses of his talent but with no real consistency. He needs more time to adapt to English football.

The gaffer 7/10 Mauricio Pochettino inherited a team that were playing well in a system that was not too different from his own. He didn’t need to reinvent the wheel. Instead Southampton went looking for the ball, pressing high up the pitch. Wins against City, Liverpool and Chelsea show Saints can beat the best. Now to do it against smaller teams, too!

Who should he sign? A quality centre-back would improve us considerably. Further up the pitch we’ve struggled to find goals lately, despite dominating large periods of games. An attacking midfielder who can play a final killer ball is a must.

Best visiting fans Newcastle. Worst Reading.

Ben Gammon, GoMarchingIn.co.uk

Stoke City 6/10

We have stayed up but some of the football has been terrible and the slide towards the Championship was terrifying. We simply didn’t perform for months and looked very poor since New Year. 8/10 for the first half of the season, 3/10 for the second.

Star man The outstanding performer was Asmir Begovic, a quality keeper. Steven N’Zonzi looked a class act for most of the season and the Huth/Shawcross duo was solid.

The flops The signing of Michael Owen did not really work and Charlie Adam has not been the wonder signing we hoped. That is more down to him being played up front than anything else; he has played further back in recent weeks and been outstanding. Ryan Shotton has been found out at times.

The gaffer 6/10 Tony Pulis has done wonders for this club, but has spent a fortune in the past few years. For many fans he needs to change his beliefs and show a new Stoke next season or they may turn on him. We are among the lowest scorers yet again.

Who should he sign? Two full backs, a back-up centre-half, a couple of fresh wingers and some strikers who can score. So not that much really.

Best visiting fans Villa (special mention to Spurs for singing Happy Birthday to Stoke). Worst Arsenal, just because they are.

Richard Murphy, Author, Stoke City On This Day

Sunderland 4/10

Another successful season at the Stadium of Light as we comfortably avoided relegation five days before the final game. Add to that some turgid football, two disastrous cup defeats, the demise of a manager whom everyone wanted to succeed and the arrival of a head coach who brought unwelcome political baggage with him, and you can see that it really has been a belter. In fact, it’s been the most underwhelming and disappointing of the 50 seasons I have watched Sunderland. Next season has to be better – perhaps we can avoid relegation before the cricket season starts? I give it four out of 10 – and 3 of those are for the win at Newcastle.

Star man Simon Mignolet has been outstanding and Danny Rose had a fine loan. Steven Fletcher scored vital goals and John O’Shea tried to marshal a defence that was as reliable as a 1988 Austin Maestro.

The flops Adam Johnson was in and out, poor Danny Graham looked lost and James McClean was simply consistently awful .

The gaffer The players never got going under Martin O’Neill, so he gets 3/10. As for Di Canio: a fine start, then lost his way, so 6/10.

Who should he sign? At least one central defender and a creative midfield player.

Best visiting fans Everton and Southampton. Worst As always, the Horse Botherers, and Fulham.

Pete Sixsmith, SalutSunderlandcom

Swansea City 9/10

It couldn’t have gone much better. No second-season syndrome – the Swans went from strength to strength under Michael Laudrup, with Europa League qualification and winning our first ever major trophy.

Star man Michu, for scoring a large quantity of goals to get into the top 10. Chico Flores and Ashley Williams have developed an excellent defensive partnership while Jonathan de Guzman and Wayne Routledge have stood out in midfield.

The flops Loan striker Itay Shechter. Laudrup needed a striker to complement Michu but the Israeli just hasn’t stepped up to the mark, having managed only one goal all season and that was recently at Wigan. Luke Moore, another striker, has also struggled.

The gaffer 9/10 Michael Laudrup has taken us to another level. We’re a more effective attacking team due to some of his tactical changes and the signings he made in his first couple of months in charge. The only thing preventing him from getting a perfect 10/10 score is that our performances have been lacking since February when we won the Capital One Cup, but you can barely fault a manager that has guided us to Europa League qualification and our first ever major trophy win.

Who should he sign? With Shechter and Moore struggling this season, Michael Laudrup needs a quality striker to take the goalscoring pressure off Michu and to allow him to play in his preferred attacking midfield role.

Best visiting fans Norwich. Worst Chelsea.

Kevin Elphick, Swansea.VitalFootball.co.uk

Tottenham Hotspur 7/10

Win today and we shall have three points more than last season. If we don’t qualify for the Holy Grail – I mean Champions League – then blame the failure to beat both Wigan and Fulham at home (some double, that) and the foot-shooting, twice, on Merseyside. We played our best in sharp, instinctive bursts but generally have been too static when we have had to break a team down. Only 28 goals in 18 home games is a weak return. Man City at home was a microcosm of our season. Clueless for 70 minutes before blowing them away in a 10-minute burst.

Star man Gareth Bale papered over a lot of cracks, mainly from outside the penalty area.

The flops Jermain Defoe – one goal since Boxing Day. Emmanuel Adebayor – five all season. He reminds me of an hour hand: you know it must be moving but you can’t quite make it out. Only when you wind it up do you see it move.

The gaffer 6/10 André Villas-Boas was up and down. Up – beating West Ham and Arsenal in quick succession. Down – losing the next two games to Liverpool (when we had them on their knees) and Fulham. Selection for both was poor: hands up who thinks Benoît Assou-Ekotto is a midfielder? We often found ourselves with no width on either flank.

Who should he sign? Two strikers who want to make an effort for 90 minutes and can score inside the six-yard box. This has been copied and pasted from last season’s review.

Best visiting fans Norwich. Worst Wigan.

Dave Mason, Observer reader

West Bromwich Albion 8/10

It definitely tailed off – the 4-0 mauling at Norwich was meaningless though gruelling – but overall it’s been a special season. In November we were third and six months later, despite a frustrating slump, we’re still in the top 10. With our resources, that’s brilliant.

Star man Defender Gareth McAuley won the players’ player of the season, and deserved it. He’s not the division’s biggest name, which works in our favour, but is hugely important to us. Romelu Lukaku shone (it’s unsettling when your outstanding attacking talent is only on loan) and we had a solid core.

The flops The Peter Odemwingie episode played a big part in our post-January stumble, and it could have been handled so much better. He’s a fine player, but good luck to whoever takes him on next.

The gaffer 7/10 A blistering first half of the season, and a confusing second. Steve Clarke made some odd choices in the past few months, attracting plenty of criticism. But it’s a learning experience. If we start next season like we finished this one we’ll be in a mess, but I don’t see that happening.

Who should he sign? Lukaku or a replacement of equal quality. The spine of the side is solid, but we need a potent goal threat. He’s too raw to be in Mourinho’s Chelsea side, so should be available for another year. We just need to fight off the rival clubs also trying to nab him. We also need more strength in depth throughout the squad. The summer’s recruitment could make or break next season.

Best visiting fans Newcastle. Worst Reading.

Dave Fleming, Observer reader

West Ham United 8/10

Mid-table survival in our first season back in the Premier League has to be classed as a success. It may not have been a spectacular campaign, but it’s a very solid outcome.

Star man Winston Reid been consistent at the back and James Collins is just the sort of no-nonsense stopper we needed. Carroll’s arrival from Liverpool lifted the whole side and he’s far better on the ground than people think. Jaaskelainen, meanwhile, had a great season in goal and Diamé and Jarvis have done well, too.

The flops Ricardo Vaz Tê has really disappointed at this level after scoring lots of goals for us in the Championship. Modibo Maïga, meanwhile, cost us £4m, but hasn’t really been given a chance to show what he can do.

The gaffer 7/10 Big Sam has done all that has been asked of him in his two seasons so far – but now he needs to develop a more expansive game and maybe play two strikers when required.

Who should he sign? We need a new full-back, Carroll on a permanent deal, and another striker, too.

Best visiting fans Wigan for sharing that taxi – very community minded.

Worst Chelsea, for the way they turned on Benítez.

Pete May, HammersInTheHeart.blogspot.co.uk

Wigan Athletic 7/10

At the start of the season, relegation wasn’t something I contemplated, but injuries across the whole defence, have cost us. That said, winning the FA Cup and getting into Europe weren’t on the cards either, and the FA Cup final win was superb.

Star man Shaun Maloney has been outstanding. Arouna Koné has had a great debut season. Maynor Figueroa and Emmerson Boyce are the Mr Dependables, and Callum McManaman has ended the season superbly.

The flops Ali al-Habsi hasn’t hit anything like the form of last season. Gary Caldwell has also struggled. Ryo Myiachi has been disappointing, mainly because his loan was mostly spent on the injury table.

The gaffer 7/10 Roberto Martínez has done another sterling job. Winning the FA Cup and getting into Europe has added to his stock. He still has flaws but hopefully he will stay.

Who should he sign? We need to see who will leave after relegation and if the out of contract players sign new deals. Certainly a striker, winger and full-backs are required.

Best visiting fans Bradford in the League Cup had a brilliant following. Worst We’re always criticised for our crowds, but QPR’s following were as appalling as their team were.

Dave Whalley, @LaticsDave

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Arsenal expect to make Champions League while Tottenham fear more pain

Posted by & filed under Arsenal, Arsène Wenger, Features, football, Sport, The Observer, Tottenham Hotspur.

Arsène Wenger is convinced his side will secure a top-four finish at Newcastle but Spurs are haunted by near misses of the past

The buildup to the final afternoon has exposed the lay of the land when it comes to the Premier League’s only lingering conundrum. Over in Enfield the talk revolved around the legend of the lasagna and a cruel miracle in Munich, Michael Dawson shuddering as he recalled the near-misses that have cast Tottenham Hotspur outside the Champions League places in the recent past. A little further round the M25, however, and the buzzwords offered up by Arsène Wenger were “strength” and “belief”, the focus on eye-catching recent progress.

Arsenal spy an opportunity in the campaign’s finale. Bitter north London rivals career into contests with under-achieving, yet secure, opponents from the north-east with only a point between them and a place in Europe’s elite at stake. Spurs, unbeaten in seven matches, can muster a Premier League high of 72 points by beating Sunderland and still find themselves fifth, a place lower than last term. If Wenger’s side win at Newcastle, a top-four place is theirs for a 16th season in succession. The Frenchman has watched his team shed only four points from nine games since they succumbed at White Hart Lane. So much for the “negative spiral of results” André Villas-Boas believed was afflicting those across the capital divide at the time.

Life is apparently all about the positives again for Arsenal. No key players are agitating for moves or entering the final 12 months of their contracts at the Emirates, and the three clubs above them in the table at present are facing up to managerial upheaval and summers of change.

“It might not work everywhere,” said Wenger. “So we can have a little advantage on some teams, even if [José] Mourinho coming back to Chelsea, if I read the newspapers well, doesn’t look to be a completely new experience. There is an opportunity for us. When you finish the season strongly – like we are – you prepare already for next season because you go with more certainty. Last year we had a new team, whose belief we have built up, and we want to use that to win the game on Sunday. But the match is also about showing that when you have to turn up, you turn up.

“A win will show we have the strength and belief that we can start strongly again next season, that we remain on a run and it won’t be interrupted by the summer break. It will show there are some qualities in this squad that will come out next year. The last few summers we’ve had the [Cesc] Fábregas and [Samir] Nasri cases, and Robin van Persie last year, and they were very difficult.

“We were on pre-season camps and, every time, a player was half in or half out, and that’s not the best way to prepare mentally for the season. So the stability will help us. Finish in the top four and we’ll give the club the best chance to deal well in the transfer market, and, if we do that well, a good potential chance to win the championship next year.”

Such giddy optimism is born of the late-season rally that has chased down Spurs. Last year Arsenal had trailed by 10 points going into the derby at the Emirates Stadium in February, the 5-2 success that afternoon inflicting psychological damage on Harry Redknapp’s team. Tottenham were overhauled and ended up trailing in by a point and, despite finishing fourth, missed out on the Champions League when Chelsea won the trophy at the Allianz Arena.

“To miss out the way we did was amazing,” said Dawson. “We weren’t even out of the pitch able to do anything about it, but just watching in on television … When it went to penalties I thought: ‘Is this really happening?’ A strange evening. It wasn’t meant to be. Then there was West Ham [in 2006] when we woke up on the final morning in prime position and feeling the way we did.”

At the time, Spurs’ ropiness was put down to food poisoning from the hotel pasta on the eve of the game, though it was apparently actually born of a bug that had festered at the training ground. “That was an absolute disaster,” said the centre-half. “I was one of those struck down, but I played. Well, I was out on the pitch, anyway. You can’t describe it when you have worked 10 months of the season and it comes down to the final day, and there were six or seven of us out there [afflicted]. Michael Carrick had to come off. Running round took it out of you, but football can be cruel sometimes. We can take heart from the way we’ve come back this season, and maybe something bizarre will happen at Newcastle. We’re due one, surely.”

That is their hope. Spurs’ frustration is that a seven-point lead over Arsenal, established in that victory at White Hart Lane in early March, has since been surrendered despite their form hardly appearing slapdash. One last opportunity for salvation remains, but it will be Wenger’s side who can shape their own destiny. The Frenchman was asked about Chelsea’s Europa League success in midweek, his message of congratulations tempered by an insistence that sides eliminated from the Champions League should not drop into the second competition. “But if I’d won the Europa League like Chelsea, I’d have been happy as well,” he added. As it is, whether Tottenham or Arsenal, the side that slips into that tournament on Sunday evening will feel condemned.

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Top Ten Serie A Players Who Could Make Summer Transfers To The Premier League

Posted by & filed under AC Milan, Arsenal FC, Aston Villa FC, Borussia Dortmund, Carousel Story, Championship, Chelsea FC, Features, Fiorentina, Football and Soccer, German Bundesliga, Homepage, Inter Milan, Juventus, Liverpool FC, Manchester City FC, Manchester United FC, Mobile App Stories, Napoli, Portsmouth FC, Premier League, Serie A, Southampton FC, Top Ten Lists, Tottenham FC, Transfer Rumours.

Kevin Prince BoatengTen players who could swap Italy for England in this summer’s transfer window.

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Ogbonna Man United

10. Angelo Ogbonna (Torino)

The Italian centre-back has earned rave reviews for his performances with Torino this season, and as well as being chased by the bigger teams in Italy, he is said to be a target for Premier League trio Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal. The 24-year-old is a solid and competitive defender and a full Italian international, and is set for big things in the game.

Mathieu Flamini

9. Mathieu Flamini (AC Milan)

The former Arsenal man has had a difficult time in Italy after joining Milan on a free transfer from the Gunners. The 29-year-old could leave on a free once again, as his contract expires at the end of the season. Arsenal have unsurprisingly been linked with a return for a player who looked to be developing into a top defensive midfielder under Arsene Wenger, but his recent poor form is more likely to see him go to Aston Villa or Southampton, two clubs who are said to be showing an interest in the Frenchman.

Ljajic Chelsea

8. Adem Ljajic (Fiorentina)

This talented 21-year-old was close to joining Manchester United from former club Partizan Belgrade in 2010, but the Red Devils pulled out of the deal and he moved to Serie A with Fiorentina. Three years later he is regarded as one of the best young players in the Italian league and is being targeted by the likes of Chelsea. The Serbian can play in a variety of attacking positions, either out wide or upfront, and could still make a move to England in the near future.

alvaro pereira inter milan

7. Alvaro Pereira (Inter Milan)

The former Porto left-back is reportedly a target for Tottenham, as manager Andre Villas-Boas worked with Pereira during their time at Porto. The 27-year-old has not been a regular for Inter Milan, and Spurs may pounce as they see him as the best replacement for Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Danny Rose, two left-sided defenders who are expected to be sold this summer. The Portuguese coach also tried to sign the Uruguayan when he was at Chelsea, so he’s clearly a fan and will surely bring him to the Premier League eventually.

Hernanes

6. Hernanes (Lazio)

This talented Brazilian midfielder is supposedly one of Manchester City’s main transfer targets this summer. The 27-year-old has a great reputation in Italy since joining Lazio in 2010, showing himself to be a great playmaker and goal-scoring midfielder, reaching double figures in each of this three seasons with the club. His thunderous shots with his powerful right foot would certainly go down a treat at the Etihad Stadium next season.

Marchisio Bologna

5. Claudio Marchisio (Juventus)

Manchester United are said to be keen on Claudio Marchisio as a replacement for the retiring Paul Scholes. The Italian midfielder is a similar type of box-to-box player as Scholes, and has always been a reliable source of goals during his time with Juventus. He is a key player for the Serie A champions, so he won’t come cheap, but United are ready to offer around £30million for his services, and are supposedly keen on his team-mate Arturo Vidal as well.

Italy Soccer Italian Cup

4. Erik Lamela (Roma)

Tottenham and both Manchester clubs are watching the progress of Roma’s Erik Lamela. The 21-year-old Argentine initially struggled when he moved to Serie A from Argentina’s River Plate, but has hit his best form this season with 15 goals and 4 assists. This young talent can operate as a striker or just behind, and definitely has the ability to add something to both of these Premier League title challengers.

Kevin Prince Boateng

3. Kevin-Prince Boateng (AC Milan)

The German-born Ghana international has had a strange career, but is finally emerging as a top talent in Serie A with AC Milan. The 26-year-old was brought to Tottenham as an exciting prospect in 2007, but failed to make the grade at White Hart Lane. He had a failed loan spell at Borussia Dortmund and then made the move to Portsmouth, where he caught the eye in his single season with the club, helping them reach the FA Cup final. Milan then moved for him and he has slotted in well, and is now thought to be attracting Manchester City and Arsenal, so a return to the Premier League could be on the cards.

Jovetic Chelsea

2. Stevan Jovetic (Fiorentina)

The talented 23-year-old has been linked strongly with Arsenal all summer, and could complete a move to the Gunners in the coming weeks. Manchester City were also interested in the skillful Montenegro forward, who has caught the eye over the last couple of seasons in Serie A with Fiorentina. Juventus will aim to keep him in Italy with a £25million bid, but La Viola will be keen not to sell to a rival, and should see to it that he joins Arsenal.

Cavani Hamsik

1. Edinson Cavani (Napoli)

Serie A’s leading goal scorer is surely set for a summer exit after an impressive few years with Napoli and previously Palermo. Edinson Cavani is wanted by many of Europe’s top clubs, but a move to England seems likely with Manchester City and Chelsea both desperate to secure his signature this summer. He will cost close to £50million, but looks well worth it as he could fire whoever manages to get him to the Premier League title next season. Even Sunderland have been rumoured to have made an audacious bid for him!

Neymar To Barcelona Move Hits Snag

Posted by & filed under Barcelona, Carousel Story, Features, Football and Soccer, Homepage, La Liga, Mobile App Stories, Premier League, Real Madrid, Santos, Tottenham FC, Transfer Rumours.

Neymar Cat PissSantos reject offer from Barca for star striker.

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Neymar’s proposed move to Barcelona could be on hold after his club Santos have revealed they have rejected an offer from the Catalan giants, according to Sky Sports.

The Brazilian striker is rated as one of the best young talents in the world, and is being chased by both Barcelona and Real Madrid this summer in what will surely be a big-money move.

A move to Barcelona looked to be close to completion last week, but Neymar could still move elsewhere or stay at Santos, as the club’s vice-president Odilio Rodrigues told Brazilian radio that the current offer from Barcelona is not good enough.

“There is no agreement for Neymar,” he said. “There are talks, I met [Barcelona's president Sandro] Rosell and [Barcelona's sporting director] Raul Sanllehi last week.

“We had a very frank conversation. Talks need to continue because the offer was not good enough.”

Rodrigues added that they are waiting for an offer from Barca’s rivals Real, but that he does not know yet which club Neymar himself will choose.

“We know Real Madrid will make an offer too,” he added.

“Neymar will choose the team he wants, it’s Neymar’s opinion that is important.”

Both clubs are being linked with big moves in the transfer market this summer, though Real Madrid fans recently voted for Tottenham’s Gareth Bale as their preferred target over Neymar. The Welsh winger has been linked with a £65million move to the Bernebeu.

Tottenham Have Agreed Deal to Sign FC Porto Midfielder Joao Moutinho According to Portuguese Sources

Posted by & filed under Carousel Story, FC Porto, Features, Football and Soccer, Homepage, La Liga, Mobile App Stories, Other Major Clubs, Premier League, Real Madrid, Tottenham FC, Tottenham Hotspur FC, Transfer Rumours.

joao moutinhoSpurs close to signing of midfield playmaker.

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Sources in Portugal suggest that the move of Joao Moutinho from Porto to Tottenham this summer could already be a done deal, according to news outlet Desporto.

Spurs were known to be in for him last summer in the late hours before the close of the transfer window, though a move fell through, but Moutinho’s fellow countryman Andre Villas-Boas is keen to try again to bring him to White Hart Lane.

The 26-year-old midfielder would be an ideal replacement for Luka Modric, who was sold to Real Madrid last summer. The likes of Moussa Dembele and Gylfi Sigurdsson have been brought in to plug that gap, though both have had inconsistent seasons.

Moutinho played under Villas-Boas when the Spurs boss was manager of Porto a few years ago, and played a crucial part in the team’s treble win, and is highly valued by his club at around £33million.

This would certainly be an expensive move, and it has been suggested that it would take the sale of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid to fund this move, which would be a souring note for Spurs fans.

The club desperately hope to keep Bale, though his sale would surely lead to a number of signings around the squad.

Solving the Right Wing Dilemma

Posted by & filed under analysis, Bale, Club, coys, english, fast, FC, Features, football, Hart, highlights, hotspur, injury, lane, league, Lennon, News, premier, right, Rumours, runner, salah, soccer, speed, Spurs, tactical, tactics, THFC, Tottenham, townsend, Transfer, white, wing.

The last few seasons have been connected by one predictable plot twist – a problem with depth on the flanks. This year, as happened the year before, Aaron Lennon picked up a knock about two-thirds of the way through the season, decimating Tottenham’s crucial width and reducing their attacking options. I’ve written at length about […]

Transfer Rumour Gossip: Mourinho Wants Ronaldo At Chelsea, Arsenal Close In On Brazilian, Torres Linked With Serie A Move

Posted by & filed under Arsenal FC, Aston Villa FC, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Carousel Story, Chelsea FC, Features, Football and Soccer, Homepage, La Liga, Liverpool FC, Manchester City FC, Manchester United FC, Mobile App Stories, Napoli, Newcastle United FC, Premier League, Queens Park Rangers FC, Reading FC, Real Madrid, Real Madrid CF, Serie A, Sunderland FC, Tottenham FC, Transfer Rumours, West Ham FC.

A round-up of Saturday’s biggest transfer stories. Check in to Newcastle United vs Arsenal Jose Mourinho will make a controversial move to bring Manchester United target Cristiano Ronaldo with him if he rejoins Chelsea from Real Madrid this summer. …

Tottenham Target Young Croatian Striker

Posted by & filed under Carousel Story, Extra Time, Features, Homepage, Mobile App Stories, Premier League, RNK Split, Tottenham FC, Tottenham Hotspur FC, Transfer Rumours.

Ante RebicRNK Split will head striker charge.

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Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly made a bid for RNK Split starlet Ante Rebic, according to the Daily Mail.

Reports in Croatia suggest that the North London club have tabled a bid of £5 million for the highly rated 19-year-old and are hoping to beat Italian side Parma to his signature as they look set to make him one of their top summer transfer priorities.

Rebic plays primarily as a centre forward, but is comfortable anywhere across the front line and has attracted the interest of a number of clubs after bagging ten goals in 27 games for RNK this season.

Spurs are hoping to bring in at least two new strikers this summer with Barcelona’s David Villa, Internacional’s Leandro Damiao and Aston Villa’s Christian Benteke high on their wanted list to replace the misfiring Emmanuel Adebayor and add back up to the injury prone Jermain Defoe.

Rebic broke through to the RNK first team in 2010 and has gone on to score 17 goals in 53 games for the Croatian side. He has represented his country at various youth levels from the under-18s to the under-21′s, who he won his first cap with last year.

Spurs are reportedly waiting to hear back from the club to see if their offer has been accepted.

Club By Club Summer Transfer Window Guide: Who’s In & Who’s Out

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Premier League LogoA club by club summer transfer window guide.

Check in to Newcastle United vs Arsenal

Wenger Deal Pair

Arsenal

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger needs to get it right in the transfer window this summer, after eight years without silverware. Deadwood players such as Andrey Arshavin, Andre Santos, Nicklas Bendtner, Marouane Chamakh and Sebastien Squillaci should finally be shown the door and the likes of Gervinho and Emmanuel Frimpong may also follow, as they don’t currently look like first-team quality. A new goalkeeper could arrive to replace the off-form Wojciech Szczesny, though it remains to be seen if the Pole will stick around as backup to Simon Mignolet, Asmir Begovic, Michel Vorm or whoever the Gunners decide to bring in. Fiorentina’s Stevan Jovetic is being strongly linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium, as Wenger looks to strengthen a strike force still missing Robin van Persie. West Ham’s Mohamed Diame was a target in January and may be so again as the defensive midfield void left by Alex Song remains to be filled.

The likes of Bacary Sagna and Laurent Koscielny are key players being linked with moves away, to PSG and Bayern Munich respectively, but Arsenal won’t want to endure yet another summer of losing important members of their squad, though Swansea’s Ashley Williams and Valencia’s Adil Rami could come in to shore up the team’s defence. Promising youngster Joel Campbell is also set to return after a loan spell at Real Betis, and could be involved in the first team more next season.

Paul Lambert

Aston Villa

After a difficult season of fighting relegation, Paul Lambert faces the very real prospect of losing a couple of star players in Christian Benteke and Andreas Weimann. The in-form strike duo have helped Lambert’s side survive in the Premier League and may feel they want to move on to bigger things now.

Benteke is very much in demand, being linked with Arsenal, Tottenham, Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid, while Weimann is supposedly a target for Liverpool. After a frustrating season spent on the bench, Darren Bent is likely to be moved on, with Fulham monitoring the 29-year-old’s situation. Another player who could leave is goalkeeper Brad Guzan, who is being eyed up by West Ham. Villa owner Randy Lerner is reportedly set to give his manager a lot of money to spend this summer to improve the club’s fortunes, and Manchester City flop Scott Sinclair is said to be one of the club’s main targets. Former Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini could also join on a free transfer, with his contract at AC Milan set to expire at the end of the season, though they will compete with Southampton for his signature.

Malky Mackay

Cardiff City

After winning promotion to the top flight as champions of the Championship, Cardiff are expected to spend big to make sure they can survive in the Premier League. They may have a fight to start off with to keep hold of their manager Malkay Mackay, who is being linked with the Everton job, but backed by their wealthy Malaysian owners, the club have been linked with a number of big names already.

Former Chelsea forward Salomon Kalou, now of Ligue 1 side Lille, is said to be a target, as is Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey, who started his career with the Welsh club. With Aston Villa likely to sell Darren Bent, his name has also been mentioned as a realistic option. They may also pounce for Welsh winger Hal Robson-Kanu from relegated Reading.

Abramovich Sack

Chelsea

There is bound to be a summer of change ahead at Stamford Bridge, with changes in both the management and the playing staff. Firstly, Chelsea legend Jose Mourinho is expected to return to the club as manager to replace Rafael Benitez, after making it clear he wants to leave current club Real Madrid. The Portuguese tactician is expected to be given a massive £100million from owner Roman Abramovich to spend on building a title-winning team. The obvious problems are upfront, as Fernando Torres has failed to live up to expectations since signing from Liverpool and may finally be sold.

Demba Ba has also been slightly unconvincing since his move from Newcastle in January, so it’s no surprise to see the likes of Radamel Falcao and Edinson Cavani being linked with the Blues. They will face plenty of competition for these star names, and will no doubt have to fork out a lot of money for them, but they seem the ideal big-name boost that the club needs if they are to mount a serious challenge domestically and in Europe again. Robert Lewandowski is also said to be a target, and Chelsea may offer youngster Kevin De Bruyne in return for the Pole, as Dortmund are admirers of the young attacking midfielder.

Exciting young German winger Andre Schurrle is widely expected to join from Bayer Leverkusen for around £20million, while a defensive midfielder is also on the list. The injury-prone Michael Essien is likely to leave, and Mourinho is said to want either Sami Khedira or Daniele De Rossi as a replacement. Backup players like Yossi Benayoun, Victor Moses and Marko Marin may be shown the door, as may long-time captain John Terry, who has been linked with a surprise move to Galatasaray. It has been confirmed however, that another club legend, Frank Lampard, will stay with the club for one more season after signing a new deal. And finally, young striker Romelu Lukaku will likely be sent out on loan again after a successful spell with West Brom, with Swansea and West Ham interested in the Belgian.

Moyes Baines

Everton

With long-serving manager David Moyes confirmed as leaving for Manchester United, a number of key players have been rumoured as set to follow. Whether or not they follow their manager to Old Trafford remains to be seen, but Moyes is apparently keen on Marouane Fellaini, Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka. Belgian midfielder Fellaini has also been linked with moves to Arsenal and Chelsea after an impressive season, and it may be hard for the club to persuade their star players to stay at Goodison Park under a new manager.

Roberto Martinez, whose Wigan side just became the first team to win the FA Cup and be relegated in the same season, has been linked with the vacancy, as has Cardiff City’s Malkay Mackay, and their choice for Moyes’ replacement will no doubt have some bearing on which players are brought in. Sevilla striker Alvaro Negredo nearly joined in January, and they may move for him again or for Queens Park Rangers’ Loic Remy as they have lacked a regular goal scorer upfront this season. Former Toffees star Joleon Lescott has been linked with a return to the club after falling out of favour at Manchester City. Club captain Phil Neville will also be leaving the club at the end of the season and is expected to retire, which may lead to a return in a coaching capacity.

Jol Bent

Fulham

Martin Jol’s side have endured a difficult end to the season with no win in eight games, and the manager is now under pressure. If he stays he will be given money to strengthen his squad, but former Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo has been linked as a replacement. Star player Dimitar Berbatov is also unhappy at the club, and may leave after just one season since joining from Manchester United, with Turkish giants Galatasaray preparing a bid of around £5million for the Bulgarian. On-loan Arsenal man Emmanuel Frimpong is expected to join on a permanent deal, though Urby Emmanuelson will probably return to parent club AC Milan.

There could be change between the sticks as veteran goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has reportedly turned down a new contract and Reading goalkeeper Alex McCarthy has been targeted. Another of the club’s ‘keepers David Stockdale has spent the season on loan at Hull, and will join the newly-promoted side on a permanent basis next season. Other transfer targets include Romelu Lukaku from rivals Chelsea, who is set for another season out on loan, though he is more likely to go to Swansea or West Ham.

Steve Bruce Hull City

Hull City

Steve Bruce’s side will look to strengthen after finishing second in the Championship, and will perhaps exploit the loan market for some bargain deals. The former Manchester United defender’s relationship with his old club may mean he can sign one or two squad players on loan, and has been linked with a move for young midfielder Nick Powell. Reading striker Noel Hunt has also been linked after some impressive displays in spite of his club’s relegation from the Premier League this season, while Leicester City’s Andy King is also a target, after his club failed to get past Watford in the Championship playoff semi-finals. On-loan Egyptian striker Gedo is also keen to join Hull on a permanent basis in the summer. Another loan player, Fulham’s David Stockdale, is also likely to stay at the club permanently. On the way out are Sonny Bradley and Danny East, who have joined Portsmouth after being released.

BrendanRodgers

Liverpool

Brendan Rodgers is expected to be given a lot of money to spend this summer as he hopes to help the club break back into the top four and maybe even sustain a genuine title challenge. There may have to be a few sales first, though that hopefully won’t include star player Luis Suarez, who is wanted by Bayern Munich and Juventus. The likes of Stewart Downing, Jordan Henderson and Martin Skrtel have been in poor form and are likely to be shown the door, while £35million flop Andy Carroll will either return to old club Newcastle or make his current loan move to West Ham permanent after a good season at Upton Park. Goalkeeper Pepe Reina is reportedly wanted by Barcelona, and Liverpool may be tempted to sell as he is arguably past his best and the likes of Michel Vorm have been linked with a move to Anfield.

The club may make an audacious attempt to bring back Xabi Alonso from Real Madrid, as they miss the playmaking abilities of the Spaniard who they sold to the La Liga giants four years ago. The main priority, though, is a striker, with Rodgers keen to make sure his team aren’t over-reliant on Suarez again as they have been many times this season. Daniel Sturridge was brought in from Chelsea in January and he has given them more options, but with Suarez also banned for the first few games of next season, they won’t want to fall behind early on. Free-scoring Porto striker Jackson Martinez has been linked, as have Aston Villa duo Christian Benteke and Andreas Weimann, though the club may miss out to Tottenham for Barcelona’s out-of-favour forward David Villa. They could also move to bring back Tom Ince, their former youngster who is now attracting a lot of interest after impressing in the Championship with Blackpool.

Tevez Barnsley

Manchester City

After a poor showing in their attempt to retain the Premier League title this season, as well as a shock defeat in the FA Cup final, Roberto Mancini has been sacked and all signs point to Malaga’s Manuel Pellegrini coming in to replace him. The new manager is likely to bring new players as the club’s wealthy owners will want to bring in better players to try and win back the title from rivals Manchester United. A poor transfer window last summer saw the likes of Scott Sinclair and Maicon join and then barely play, and these are players who could certainly be sold this year. Other squad players such as Micah Richards, Gareth Barry, Joleon Lescott, Aleksandar Kolarov and James Milner could also make way, with Lescott possibly set for a return to former club Everton, as previously mentioned, and Kolarov supposedly wanted by Juventus.

Carlos Tevez has had an improved year with the club, but is still understood to favour a move away from England and is a target for big-spending Monaco. Edin Dzeko is another striker who could go, after failing to impress consistently since joining the club two years ago. The Bosnian is being targeted by a number of Serie A clubs such as Juventus and AC Milan, and could also move to Napoli as part of a deal to bring Edinson Cavani to the Etihad Stadium, though City will face competition from Chelsea for the 26-year-old. Pellegrini is said to be plotting a raid on Malaga, bringing star player Isco with him when he departs. He may also move for other La Liga stars, such as Sevilla’s Jesus Navas and Real Madrid’s Angel Di Maria, as well as a big-money move for Borussia Dortmund star Marco Reus.

A new playmaker to take the weight off the jaded David Silva’s shoulders is a must, and AZ Alkmaar youngster Adam Maher is also reportedly a target for this role.

Moyes Exit

Manchester United

United will have to be busy this summer, as their big-spending rivals City will surely be doing everything in their financial power to build a team to win back the Premier League title. United were arguably unconvincing in some areas of their pitch despite their title win this season, with the team often looking over-reliant on Dutch striker Robin van Persie to score all the goals. The former Arsenal man has had a great first season with the club, but could do with extra support as the likes of Nani, Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia have not offered much in the way of assists from the wings.

Nani has been linked with a move to Juventus and it may be time for the Portuguese winger to leave after failing to live up to his potential at Old Trafford, and a number of attacking midfielders and wingers have been linked to the club as replacements. United could make an ambitious bid to compete with Real Madrid for the signing of Gareth Bale, though they may not feel they can compete financially with the Spanish giants. Nicolas Gaitan of Benfica has also been linked, though Bayer Leverkusen are also interested as they will probably lose Andre Schurrle to Chelsea. Elsewhere, with Paul Scholes retiring, midfielders such as Juventus duo Claudio Marchisio and Arturo Vidal, and Benfica’s Nemanja Matic. With David Moyes taking over from Sir Alex Ferguson, there have also been inevitable links to Everton players, with Marouane Fellaini, Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka all reported to be targets. Rio Ferdinand is coming to the end of his contract and could be on the way out, and Valencia centre-back Adil Rami has been linked as a replacement, though Arsenal are also said to be interested.

The biggest story, however, is that Wayne Rooney is sure to leave the club after submitting a transfer request. The 27-year-old is unhappy with his role at Old Trafford and is wanted by a host of Europe’s top clubs, such as Barcelona, Real Madrid and PSG, as well as United’s Premier League rivals Manchester City and Chelsea, and Moyes will face a big decision straight away when he takes this high-pressure job over what to do with the unsettled star.

Pardew Celebrate

Newcastle United

Alan Pardew may be sacked after a disappointing season with the club. Despite pushing for the top four in 2011/12, Newcastle flirted with relegation this term and that could mean a host of changes are made at St James’ Park. Demba Ba left for Chelsea in January, and no doubt the likes of Hatem Ben Arfa, Yohan Cabaye and Papiss Cisse will be considering their futures as they may feel the club is not progressing as they would like, and they would not be short of suitors elsewhere. Ben Arfa has been linked with Spurs and Arsenal in the past, while Cabaye is also seen as a potential Paul Scholes replacement in United’s midfield. Borussia Dortmund are on the lookout for a striker due to the likely departure of Robert Lewandowski, and Cisse is supposedly one of their targets along with Aston Villa’s Christian Benteke.

The club spent big in January but it did not help them a great deal in their relegation fight, so they may have to rethink their transfer policy this summer, going for more established Premier League players rather than youngsters from Ligue 1. Queens Park Rangers striker Loic Remy could be available after Harry Redknapp’s side went down, and Newcastle did try to sign him from Marseille in January before he eventually went to Loftus Road. A sensational return for Andy Carroll has also been mentioned, as Liverpool are unlikely to keep the tall target man who spent the season on loan at West Ham.

The Hammers also want to keep him permanently, but Carroll would probably favour a return to his old team where he first made a name for himself in the Premier League. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Tim Krul is wanted by Serie A duo AC Milan and Roma, and Fabricio Coloccini is reportedly hoping to leave the club to return to his native Argentina due to homesickness. Long-serving goalkeeper Steve Harper has also announced he will be retiring from the game at the end of the season.

Norwich City

The Canaries have already completed a decent signing with the announcement that on-loan left-back Javier Garrido will make a permanent transfer to the club from Lazio next season. A player who has been loaned out from the club will do the opposite, and make a permanent move away from Norwich, with Derby keen on signing striker Chris Martin. James Vaughan, on the other hand, is expected to return to Carrow Road from his loan spell at Huddersfield Town. Burnley midfielder Chris McCann is available on a free tranfer this summer and is being watched by Norwich as well as other Premier League clubs. Manager Chris Hughton is also reportedly keen on bringing former Blackburn Rovers defender Zurab Khizanishvili back to England.

Mauricio Pochettino

Southampton

There have been recent rumours that Saints boss Mauricio Pochettino could already leave the club despite only joining in the middle of this season, and the search for a new manager would certainly affect the club’s transfer plans. The Argentinian manager is widely tipped to make a raid on La Liga if he does stay, as he knows a number of talented players playing in Spain from his days in charge of Espanyol. Malaga defender Jesus Gamez is one from Spain that has been linked and could move to St Mary’s for £5million. Other targets include free agent Mathieu Flamini from AC Milan, who is also wanted by Aston Villa, and highly-rated Celtic midfielder Victor Wanyama, who has also been watched by big clubs such as Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool.

Squad players such as Billy Sharp, Emmanuel Mayuka, Tadanari Lee, Guly Do Prado, Steve De Ridder, Richard Chaplow and Danny Butterfield have reportedly all been told that their future’s lie away from the South coast club. However, they will hope to keep hold of Inter Milan target Morgan Schneiderlin and teenage sensation Luke Shaw, the young left-back who has impressed the likes of Chelsea and Tottenham with his displays this season, drawing comparisons to a young Gareth Bale.

Stoke City manager Tony Pulis

Stoke City

A big high profile departure from Stoke this summer will be former Liverpool, Manchester United and England star Michael Owen, though the 33-year-old’s retirement from the game will arguably not have a great deal of impact on Tony Pulis’ side, as he has barely featured since joining on a free transfer at the start of the season. Elsewhere, striker Kenwyne Jones could leave for newly-promoted Cardiff City and ageing goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen may not have much of a future at the club with the arrival of promising young shot-stopper Jack Butland from Birmingham City. Butland will probably become the Potters’ number one straight away, with current first-choice Asmir Begovic a target for big clubs such as Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United. The Bosnian could leave in a £15million deal and give Pulis money to strengthen a team that battled relegation this year with a poor run of form in the second half of the season. Peter Crouch could also leave the club after a drop in form, and is wanted by Sam Allardyce as a replacement for Andy Carroll at West Ham.

Charlie Adam, something of a disappointment since signing from Liverpool, could also be set for an exit to Crystal Palace if the Eagles win promotion under Adam’s old boss at Blackpool, Ian Holloway. There have not been many names linked as coming in to the club so far, apart from Granada left-back Guilherme Siqueira and Arsenal misfit Nicklas Bendtner, who is unlikely to be kept by the Gunners and who could replace Crouch if he leaves for West Ham.

Laudrup

Swansea City

Swansea had a great transfer window last summer, bringing in one of the signings of the season in Michu, who signed for just £2million. Michael Laudrup will be hoping for similar success this year – that is, if he doesn’t take the Everton job after emerging as another possible candidate. First, they might have to deal with the departures of key duo Michel Vorm and Ashley Williams, who are both targets for Arsenal and Liverpool. It has been rumoured that Vorm could be replaced by Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel. They have already tried to sign young Sporting Lisbon defender Eric Dier, though he has rejected a move. They will be hoping to keep loan star Jonathen De Guzman on a permanent deal from Villareal, and will also likely look to La Liga again for some bargain transfers, having already agreed a deal to sign Real Betis midfielder Jose Canas. Scott Sinclair could also return to the club just one year after leaving, due to his inability to get into the Manchester City team, and other wingers are said to be on Laudrup’s shortlist, such as Queens Park Rangers’ Junior Hoilett and Chelsea’s Victor Moses. Romelu Lukaku could also join on loan from the Stamford Bridge club.

Di Canio Stoke City

Sunderland

After recently inheriting a struggling side from previous manager Martin O’Neill, Paolo Di Canio will be keen to put his own stamp on this Sunderland team, and is reportedly targeting some players from the Italian league that he knows well. Lazio centre-back Modibo Diakité has already been identified as a target, as Di Canio looks to improve on current defensive pairing John O’Shea and Carlos Cuellar. Danny Rose has impressed on loan from Tottenham and Di Canio has expressed his hope of keeping the England Under-21 international on a permanent deal, but he may lose in-form goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, whose displays this season have attracted interest from Arsenal and Napoli. Former striker Darren Bent could be an option for the club, as he is likely to leave after being frozen out at Aston Villa by Paul Lambert this season. The club apparently made an audacious attempt to sign Napoli’s Edinson Cavani, though it is likely to be little more than a joke offer.

Bale 55m

Tottenham Hotspur

It could be a big summer at White Hart Lane, with Spurs’ future in the balance as they go into the final day of the Premier League this season. The club could be set for Champions League football if results go there way, and that will play a big part in determining whether or not star player Gareth Bale stays at the club. The Welsh winger has been in phenomenal form for the club this season and Real Madrid have made no secret of their interest, offering as much as £65million and possibly players like Gonzalo Higuain in return for the PFA Player of the Year. Andre Villas-Boas has said he hopes to keep Bale and may even tie him down to a new bumper deal of around £170,000 a week even if they don’t finish in the top four, though the money brought in from his transfer could strengthen many areas of the squad.

Benoit Assou-Ekotto could leave the club and Danny Rose may make his loan to Sunderland permanent, meaning Spurs will step up their interest in Inter Milan left-back Alvaro Pereira, whom Villas-Boas knows from his Porto days and is keen to work with again. Emmanuel Adebayor is likely to leave after a poor season and is wanted by Monaco, so a striker could be on the agenda for Spurs, as the likes of David Villa and Christian Benteke have been linked to the club. Scott Parker hasn’t had the best season either and could be shifted to Queens Park Rangers, meaning a midfielder could also join. Manchester United’s Anderson has been linked, and they could try again for Mohamed Diame, who they were close to signing in January, though they may face competition from rivals Arsenal for the Senegalese international.

There have even been suggestions that long-serving striker Jermain Defoe could make way after a poor run of form, with a possible return to old club West Ham being mooted, as they will need a replacement for Andy Carroll when his loan deal ends. Andros Townsend could give AVB more options and compete for a place in the team following his return from a promising loan spell with QPR, perhaps replacing Aaron Lennon who has emerged as a surprise target for Serie A side Inter Milan. It perhaps looks like more outs than ins at the moment for Spurs, but a top four spot will ensure that it’s mainly their unwanted squad players that depart, rather than their star names.

Clarke WBA

West Bromwich Albion

West Brom had a great start to the season under Steve Clarke, but have faltered slightly in the latter half of the campaign, showing perhaps that there is room for improvement at the club. One blow for the Baggies boss is that they will lose loan-star Romelu Lukaku as he either returns to Chelsea or goes on loan again elsewhere, being strongly linked with West Ham and Swansea City.

That will leave gaps upfront as Peter Odemwingie is also likely to leave after falling out with the club following his failed attempt to force through a move to Queens Park Rangers in January. Franco Di Santo is reportedly a target following his relegation with Wigan Athletic, as is Anderlecht striker Dieumerci Mbokani. They are also one of many clubs who are looking at Scott Sinclair’s situation, after the 24-year-old is likely to be sold by Manchester City this summer. Also on the way out of the Hawthorns could be Graeme Dorrans, with the club saying they will listen to offers for the attacking midfielder. They will be determined, however, to hold on to Shane Long, who has been linked with Bundesliga duo Schalke and Hoffenheim.

Sam Allardyce

West Ham United

A priority for West Ham manager Sam Allardyce this summer will be to keep hold of on-loan striker Andy Carroll, who will surely be sold by Liverpool. Newcastle are also interested in the 24-year-old target man, but Allardyce is a big fan of his and he has integrated well at Upton Park this season. Stoke City striker Peter Crouch is a backup option if Carroll leaves, and Romelu Lukaku could arrive on loan from Chelsea. Highly-rated Blackburn striker Jordan Rhodes is also a target, though they would face much competition for the Championship goal-getter.

In other areas of the pitch, they might make a move for Chelsea’s Michael Essien, who is unlikely to stay at Stamford Bridge after an injury-hit few years and an unsuccessful loan spell with Real Madrid. Essien would be the ideal replacement for Mohamed Diame if he leaves, and the Senegalese midfielder has been attracting strong interest from both Arsenal and Tottenham, who may activate his £3.5million release fee clause. Marouane Chamakh will presumably not be kept on after his failed loan spell from Arsenal, and another loan player Emmanuel Pogatetz could also leave, with AC Milan veteran Massimo Abrossini coming in as a replacement. They may also make a change to their goalkeeper, after being linked with Aston Villa shot-stopper Brad Guzan and Manchester United backup ‘keeper Anders Lindegaard.

Zola Chelsea

Watford/Crystal Palace

It is not yet clear which of these sides will be joining the other teams in the Premier League next season, as the two London sides have the small matter of the Championship Playoff final still to play. Watford may have a lot of work to do in the summer transfer window, as a lot of their current team is made up of loan players such as Chelsea’s Nathaniel Chalobah and Udinese’s Matej Vydra, both of whom have emerged as targets for bigger clubs such as Arsenal and Tottenham following their fine form in Gianfranco Zola’s side’s promotion push.

Birmingham City’s Nathan Redmond is a target for them, but is also being watched by other Premier League clubs, but Zola has previously hinted that he himself is not in control of transfers at the club. Crystal Palace, meanwhile, will have to prepare for life without star striker Wilfried Zaha, who has agreed a deal to join Manchester United. They could also use another highly rated young player, midfielder Jonathan Williams, and much will depend on whether they achieve promotion. If they do, another target for manager Ian Holloway is Stoke City’s Charlie Adam, whom he worked with to good effect at Blackpool a couple of years ago. They are also said to be one of several clubs chasing Leicester City’s Andy King. Veteran striker Kevin Phillips is also expected to play on for the club next season, whether it is in the top flight or not.

Tottenham must beat Arsenal to Champions League to close wealth gap

Posted by & filed under Arsenal, Business, Champions League, Features, Finances, football, Sport, The Guardian, Tottenham Hotspur.

Tottenham’s income is dwarfed by Arsenal’s and they will struggle to sustain their elite status unless they make top four

Should Arsène Wenger lose his formidable record of 15 straight seasons in the Champions League and be beaten to the fourth qualifying spot by Arsenal’s north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday , the hit will be tougher in football terms than financially.

For André Villas-Boas’s side, if they beat Sunderland at home and Arsenal fail to beat Newcastle away, a return to the Champions League will make a greater financial difference. Extraordinary as it seems, Spurs make fully £100m less income than the club with whom their fans most closely wish to compare themselves. The booming cash from the Emirates Stadium’s 60,000 seats and executive plushness, including the Champions League ties themselves, pushed Arsenal’s matchday income to £95m in 2011-12, more than three times that of Spurs at still 36,534-capacity old White Hart Lane. Arsenal made £245m last year, including £85m from TV and broadcasting, which includes Champions League income. Spurs made £144m altogether, a huge gap.

Last season Uefa harvested a total £1.1bn from the worldwide broadcasting rights of this most seductive club competition, and from selling its platform of sponsorships to Adidas, Ford, Gazprom, Mastercard and the other corporations.

Uefa distributed £865m of that Champions League money to the participating clubs, 55% in fixed amounts for those in the tournament from the group stage. The other 45% is paid in proportion to the size of a club’s national television market – how much their broadcasters contributed to the overall TV total. England is one of the biggest markets, so our clubs do well from this “pool” payment.

Arsenal qualified from the Champions League play-offs last season and made it to the round of 16, where they lost 4-3 to Milan on aggregate, having lost 4-0 away at San Siro. Their share of the Uefa Champions League income was £28m, less than half the £60m Chelsea earned from winning the trophy.

The five home matches played earned the Gunners healthy income on top of that, although the club’s accounts do not break down how much they make from each match. So although as a proportion of the overall £245m income Arsenal would survive decently enough without Champions League participation, it would be a serious blow.

Spurs’ Champions League run to quarter-final defeat in 2010-11 was a landmark boost to the club’s football pride, and a financial one, too. They made £25m more from Uefa distributions that season than in 2011-12, when they played in the far less lucrative Europa League. Overall last year Spurs’ income dropped 12% to £19m, from £163m to £144m.

This season Uefa estimated its gross Champions League income is £1.34bn, of which 75%, £1bn, will be shared among the clubs. With Arsenal and Manchester United knocked out in the round of 16, and Chelsea and Manchester City gone in the group stage, no English club will have earned dramatically this year as Chelsea did in 2011-12.

So, as Uefa itself argues, the financial benefits of playing in the competition can be exaggerated. As it accounts for around 10-15% of a Premier League club’s income, that means 85%-90% of the rich clubs’ earnings are made in domestic football, and that percentage will be even higher next season given the projected increase in the Premier League’s own TV deals.

Nevertheless, the Champions League earnings are still significant, helping to take the top four clubs into a tier financially above those outside European competition. Spurs will have difficulty sustaining top-four status until they can make more money consistently, with the long-proposed new stadium integral to that plan. Arsenal’s commercial success and filling of the Emirates has been based to some extent on their continuous qualification for the Champions League.

It raises a club’s status, and its ability to keep its stars such as Gareth Bale and Jack Wilshere, when players are competing in the most prestigious of tournaments, and broadcasts their virtues around the world. For all these reasons, not just the money, they all very much want to be in it.

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Arsene Wenger Excited At Chelsea Champions League Play-Off Prospect

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Arsenal manager would welcome play-off for third place. Check in to Newcastle United vs Arsenal Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has told the Daily Mirror that he would welcome the idea of a play-off with Chelsea for third place this season. The two Lo…

Tottenham Confident Of Gareth Bale Stay

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Gareth BaleClub to offer star a bumper new pay deal.

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Tottenham Hotspur are set to offer star man Gareth Bale a whopping new pay deal in a bid to fend off interest from elsewhere, according to the Daily Mirror.

Bale is on the fast track to becoming one of the best players in the world right now after a successful season has seen him pick up double PFA awards, bag 25 goals and catapult Spurs to the verge of Champions League football.

Real Madrd have been strongly linked with a move for the Welshman, whilst it is now believed that new Manchester United boss David Moyes will enter the race for his signature this summer.

However, Spurs are confident of keeping hold of their most prized asset by offering him a bumper new contract that will see him earn £170,000 a week.

Bale is already tied to the club until 2016, but the new deal will add a further year on and double his pay. The 23-yearold will sit down with the club’s representatives after this weekend’s final game of the season to thrash out the new terms and Bale’s management team believe the talks will be positive as the envisage few problems.

Spurs will need to beat Sunderland and hope that Arsenal slip up against lowly Newcastle United if they are to secure Champions League football next season.

Young Winger In Tottenham Talks

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Andros Townsend to hold talks over Spurs future. Check in to Tottenham Hotspur vs Sunderland Tottenham’s on-loan winger Andros Townsend is to hold talks with the club over his future, according to the London Evening Standard. The talented 21-year-ol…

Five In, Five Out: Potential Liverpool Summer Transfer Plans

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Rodgers TargetA look at who could be coming and going at Anfield in this summer’s transfer window.

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Pepe Reina RETINA

Out: Pepe Reina

The 30-year-old Spaniard looks past his best at Liverpool, after a great five years or so of service when he signed from Villareal in 2005. He has simply looked far too error prone over the last couple of seasons and has surprisingly found himself as a transfer target for Barcelona, where he started his career as a youngster, as the Catalan giants look for a replacement for the departing Victor Valdes. Brendan Rodgers would be well advised to bite their hand off and take any offer, so he can fix the club’s goalkeeping problem with a better long-term option between the sticks.

Skrtel Van PErsie

Out: Martin Skrtel

The Slovakian centre-back looked a good signing when he joined the club in 2008 from Zenit St Petersburg, but at 28 years of age he does not seem to have progressed into the player he should have been. Brendan Rodgers insists Skrtel still has a future at the club, despite keeping him out of the team behind veteran defender Jamie Carragher for much of the season and targeting a number of central defenders in the transfer window. Skrtel’s time at Anfield looks like it’s over, and a surprise move to Arsenal has been mentioned as a possibility.

Jordan Henderson

Out: Jordan Henderson

Brendan Rodgers will be keen to rid himself of players like Jordan Henderson, who were brought in for ridiculous money by previous manager Kenny Dalglish. Signed for £20million from Sunderland, the 22-year-old has not looked capable of making the step up at a top club like Liverpool, despite some promising displays as a youngster at his former team. There have been signs in recent months that he’s improving, but Liverpool need to lose deadwood players such as this if they are to move forward and launch a real assault on the Premier League’s top four places next season.

Stewart Downing Gomel

Out: Stewart Downing

Many eyebrows were raised (again) when Kenny Dalglish spent an incredible £20million to bring Stewart Downing to Liverpool from Aston Villa. The former Middlesbrough wide man flopped spectacularly in his first season, providing 0 goals and 0 assists in the Premier League, simply abysmal for a player of that kind of price. The 28-year-old has shown some signs of improvement in his second season with the club, but once again Brendan Rodgers will be hoping to lose a player inflicted on him by his predecessor. The club need more ammunition from the wide areas, to provide more chances for star striker Luis Suarez, and to take the pressure off him to score all their goals.

Andy Carroll 4

Out: Andy Carroll

The worst of all of Kenny Dalglish’s expensive transfer flops, Andy Carroll has looked nothing like a £35million striker since joining Liverpool from Newcastle, and will now surely be forced out of the club as his style of play and skillset certainly do not fit in with Brendan Rodgers’ way of doing things. The 24-year-old has spent this season on loan at West Ham, and has looked a bit more comfortable in Sam Allardyce’s setup. The Hammers will be hoping they can sign him permanently, though Newcastle are also interested. Liverpool will want to hold out for a decent fee after investing so much in Carroll, but should accept whatever comes their way and move on. They could certainly do with taking his huge wages off their wage bill, which could be spent on a striker of much superior quality.

Michel Vorm

In: Michel Vorm (Swansea City)

With Reina surely set to exit, Rodgers may target a raid on his old club Swansea for their highly impressive goalkeeper Michel Vorm. The Dutchman has been a revelation since moving to the Premier League and has attracted interest from the likes of Arsenal and Barcelona – all the more reason for Liverpool to sell Reina to Barca, so they don’t beat them to the signing of Vorm. The talented shot-stopper could win a lot of crucial points for the Reds next season, and give them more stability in a backline that has often struggled and conceded poor goals.

Williams Arsenal

In: Ashley Williams (Swansea City)

Another player that Rodgers knows well from his time at Swansea, Ashley Williams would be an excellent replacement for both the retiring Jamie Carragher and the off-form Martin Skrtel. The Swans captain has been in great form for Michael Laudrup’s side this season, leading them to glory in the Capital One Cup and establishing himself as one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League. Arsenal are also said to be keen on signing the 28-year-old, so Liverpool should act fast to bring in this experienced and commanding player to shore up their defence.

McCarthy Arsenal

In: James McCarthy (Wigan Athletic)

Liverpool are said to be interested in this talented young midfielder, who has really impressed for Wigan this season, despite their relegation. The 22-year-old is an all-round central midfielder, who could offer the Reds plenty in terms of shielding their back four, as well as breaking forward and playing in his team-mates. McCarthy should be available following Wigan’s drop to the Championship, as he is certainly someone who should be playing Premier League football. Rumour has it, he could be part of a double Liverpool swoop on Wigan, with young winger Callum McManaman also interesting Brendan Rodgers.

Sanchez Chelsea

In: Alexis Sanchez (Barcelona)

The Chilean winger could be part of a summer clear-out at the Nou Camp this season, as he just hasn’t found his best form for Barcelona since joining from Udinese for £22million. Barcelona have had a difficult year and are understood to be set to make a number of changes, and he no longer features in Tito Vilanova’s plans. The talented winger, who can also play upfront, was once wanted by Manchester City, and could still be a target for Arsenal and a number of Serie A clubs this summer. Liverpool’s style of play would suit him well, and a move could be just what he needs to get his career back on track. His goals and assists from wide positions would be very useful to Brendan Rodgers indeed, as he surely can’t be any worse than Stewart Downing. Sanchez is still young, just 24, and has still managed 10 goals and 12 assists for Barca this season despite being in and out of the team and at far from his best form.

Jackson Martinez

In: Jackson Martinez (Porto)

The exciting Porto striker has been compared with Colombian team-mate Radamel Falcao, impressing hugely in his first season at the club and attracting interest from both Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund. He has 33 goals in all competitions this season and the deadly finisher would really take a lot of weight off Luis Suarez’s shoulders as Liverpool’s main goal scorer. He may be expensive after this explosive breakthrough season, but this kind of ambitious signing is just what the Reds need to challenge for silverware and the top four again. Liverpool’s interest is genuine, and this could happen if Dortmund turn their attention to Aston Villa’s Christian Benteke, who they also see as a target for replacing Robert Lewandowski. Barcelona’s David Villa may be a decent backup option, and he too has been linked with the Reds, but is currently favourite to join Tottenham.

Tottenham Winger Aaron Lennon Linked With Surprise Inter Milan Move

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Spurs winger targeted by Serie A side. Check in to Tottenham Hotspur vs Sunderland Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon has emerged as a surprise target for Serie A side Inter Milan, according to the Daily Mirror. The 26-year-old has spent most of his care…

Arsenal Target Reveals Real Madrid Dream

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Arsenal and Tottenham target reveals ambition to play for Real Madrid. Check in to Newcastle United vs Arsenal Arsenal and Tottenham target Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could reject offers from both clubs this summer as he hopes to fulfill his dream o…

PSG Launch Record Breaking £84m Bid for Real Madrid Attacker Cristiano Ronaldo

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Ronaldo Thumbs UpFrench club target world-record bid for Real Madrid star.

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Manchester United’s hopes of a return for Cristiano Ronaldo could be blown out of the water, with the Daily Express reporting that PSG could offer a massive £84million for him to Real Madrid.

The big-spending French club are keen to follow up their Ligue 1 triumph this season with an assault on the Champions League, and are willing to make the Portuguese star the most expensive payer of all time – again.

The 28-year-old initially joined Real Madrid for a record-breaking fee of £80million, and rumour has it he is ready to leave the club this summer after a difficult season in Spain.

Manchester United had hoped to pounce, and were willing to offer around £60million plus Nani and Javier Hernandez to bring their former star player back to Old Trafford, but they may not be able to compete with the kind of money PSG can now offer.

The French club’s recent rise is thanks to their billionaire Qatari owners, who have spent big money on big names like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Javier Pastore, Thiago Silva and Lucas Moura, but the £84million signing of Ronaldo would certainly top the lot.

United may now turn their attention to Tottenham’s Gareth Bale, though the Welsh winger is also a target to replace Ronaldo at Real Madrid.

In Case You’ve Forgotten, This is a Full Strength Spurs Squad

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Sometimes during the long winning streaks this season, a small minority of fans were infected by a certain amount of hubris. As soon as a negative result happened, some took the opportunity to decry the club with both hands. “We didn’t spend enough money”, “Friedel is rubbish”, “Steffen Freund isn’t shouting loud enough”. Etcetera. But […]

Transfer Rumour Gossip: Arsenal Step Up Rooney Interest, Man United Chase Argentine Playmaker, Bale To Sign New Deal

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Bale West HamA round-up of Friday’s biggest transfer stories and gossip.

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Arsenal are the latest club to be linked with serious interest in want-away Manchester United star Wayne Rooney.

Full story: Daily Mail.

Tottenham will look to fight off interest from Real Madrid and offer Gareth Bale a massive £170,000 a week contract to stay at the club.

Full story: Daily Mirror.

Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez claims that Jose Mourinho will get £100million to spend on transfers if he joins the club this summer.

Full story: The Sun.

Lukaku sunderland

West Ham are preparing to miss out on a permanent deal for Andy Carroll, and will look into signing Chelsea youngster Romelu Lukaku on loan next season.

Full story: Daily Mail.

Spurs are reportedly close to agreeing a deal to sign Barcelona striker David Villa, beating Arsenal and Liverpool to his signature.

Full story: talkSPORT.

Manchester United will have to compete with Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen for highly-rated Benfica winger Nicolas Gaitan.

Full story: Daily Express.

Spurs winger Aaron Lennon has emerged as a surprise target for Serie A giants Inter Milan.

Full story: Daily Mirror.

London trio Arsenal, Tottenham and Fulham are all eyeing a move for young Watford striker Matej Vydra.

Full story: Daily Express.

West Brom are plotting a raid on relegated Wigan for their striker Franco Di Santo, as they seek a replacement for on-loan Romelu Lukaku.

Full story: Daily Mirror.

Falcao Osasuna

Atletico Madrid star Radamel Falcao denies rumours that he has already agreed a deal to join big-spending French side Monaco for next season.

Full story: AS.

Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper Julio Cesar confirms he will be leaving the club following their relegation, but has not revealed his next destination.

Full story: Daily Mirror.

Stoke City are monitoring Granada left-back Guilherme Siqueira, once a target for Manchester United.

Full story: talkSPORT.

In-demand Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke wants a big pay rise to persuade him to turn down other offers and stay at Villa Park.

Full story: The Metro.

Want-away West Brom striker Peter Odemwingie could be a target for newly-promoted Hull City.

Full story: The Telegraph.

Jol Bent

Fulham say they will keep faith with current manager Martin Jol, despite a poor end to the season at Craven Cottage.

Full story: London Evening Standard.

Former Manchester City eccentric Mario Balotelli will delight many of his fans with the news that he has joined Twitter – @FinallyMario!

Full story: The Metro.

Tottenham Target Top Quality Trio and Plan Quartet Sale In Summer Shake-Up

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David Villa Arsenal MoveWhite Hart Lane side set for a busy summer.

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Tottenham are set to conduct a squad ‘revamp’ this summer according to the Daily Mirror.

Andre Villas-Boas has set his sights on bringing in a trio of quality talents whilst readying moves to offload a quartet of players he may feel he can afford to lose.

Top of his summer wish-list appears to be a much needed striking addition and with that in mind the North London side are closing in on Barcelona ace David Villa, with only the price-tag on the experienced Spaniard being an obstacle.

The Nou Camp side believe they can milk £13m from the 31 year old’s sale, Tottenham think, probably quite rightly, they can land the former Valencia man for less. After all Villa is something of a bit-part player who has had serious injury problems in the past and has just a year left on his current deal.

Benteke Chelsea

Failing a move for Villa the Tottenham boss has set his sights on Christian Benteke, who may well better suit Andre Villas-Boas’s long term plans. The Belgian has had an excellent first season in the top tier but may be tough to lure away from Aston Villa now that Paul Lambert’s side are safe from the drop.

Benteke may however be swayed by the prospect of Champions League football so if a top four spot is secured then the 23 goal striker may find it harder to turn down Tottenham.

Shaw Tottenham

Tottenham have set their sights on another Southampton academy graduate, following their purchase of Gareth Bale, with Villas-Boas hoping to sign Luke Shaw, who is said to also be a Chelsea target.

The 17 year old left-back has been in impressive form this term, making 21 Premier League appearances this term and earning a England Under 21 call-up.

Emmanuel Adebayor

To make way for new arrivals Villas-Boas is ready to offload a number of under-performing or less needed members of his playing staff.

Togo international Emmanuel Adebayor is likely to leave, despite scoring in recent encounters with Chelsea and Stoke City, after a fairly poor season at White Hart Lane.

Villas-Boas is also ready to let go of veteran defender William Gallas and midfielders Tom Huddlestone and Gylfi Sigurdsson

Five In, Five Out: Potential Manchester United Transfer Plans

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Ronaldo Thumbs UpFive players who could leave and five who could join the Old Trafford side in this summer’s transfer window.

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evra-480

Out: Patrice Evra

It may be time for Manchester United to bid farewell to Patrice Evra. The French defender is now 32 and looks past his best. After seven fine years at Old Trafford the left-back is being strongly linked with a move to his former club Monaco, who will spend big money upon their promotion to Ligue 1 next season. Although United have a history of keeping experienced players around for a long time, new United manager David Moyes may feel this is a position that could be strengthened, and his predecessor Sir Alex Ferguson obviously thought so too by bringing in Dutch left-back Alexander Buttner last summer, though the Dutchman has so far failed to settle at the club.

Ashley Young Manchester United

Out: Ashley Young

The England winger has been a real disappointment since joining Manchester United from Aston Villa for close to £20million. Despite earning a reputation at Villa Park as a consistent source of goals and assists from the flanks, the only reputation he has earned at Old Trafford is one for being something of a diver. After struggling with fitness and form this season, he is definitely one that Moyes will consider showing the door when he takes over at United. Other wingers have been disappointing too, such as Nani and Antonio Valencia, but Young arguably stands out as the worst and least worth keeping around.

Anderson reading

Out: Anderson

The Brazilian midfielder has not lived up to his potential since joining Manchester United from Porto for £20million. Once considered an exciting young talent, he is now something of a liability at the club, looking slow and lazy in midfield, and unable to provide much of a cutting edge going forward either. With Paul Scholes retiring, Moyes will need to bring in a replacement, and Anderson is not the player to do it. The 25-year-old has been linked with Spurs, and may too feel it is time to move on to further his career with more regular first team football.

Hernandez Porto

Out: Javier Hernandez

The Mexican striker looked like an excellent acquisition in his first season with United, when he settled quickly and fired the team to the Premier League title with 20 goals. However, the 24-year-old has for some reason been used sparingly since then, perhaps due to a weakness in his overall play. As harsh as it may be, he seems to have accepted his fate and wants to move on. He has been linked with Atletico Madrid and Juventus, and United may feel they could sell him for a decent profit and use the money to pursue some bigger targets.

Rooney Ferguson Exit

Out: Wayne Rooney

In what will undoubtedly be one of the biggest transfer sagas of the summer, Wayne Rooney looks set to leave Manchester United after nine years with the club. The England star has submitted a transfer request due to being continually played out of position and feeling undervalued by Sir Alex Ferguson. Perhaps with David Moyes taking over, the 27-year-old could be persuaded to stay, but United may also be tempted to cash in on a player who is attracting a great deal of interest from a number of Europe’s top clubs. He has wanted to leave before, and may be seen as a disruptive presence in the dressing room. Real Madrid, Barcelona, PSG and Bayern Munich have been linked with Rooney, as have United’s Premier League rivals Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal. One thing’s for sure, United won’t have a hard time selling him if they choose to do so, and it looks like it’s probably the right time.

Leighton Baines

In: Leighton Baines (Everton)

With Evra possibly on the way out, Moyes has been linked with a raid on one of his star players at Everton, Leighton Baines. The England left-back has been in great form at Goodison Park this season, showing himself to be one of the best attacking full-backs in the game, with his ability to bomb forward and create chances for team-mates with his excellent delivery of crosses. The 28-year-old could arguably improve on his defensive habits, but he would also be likely to spend less time defending in a talented attacking side such as United’s. Moyes may also consider bringing Marouane Fellaini from his old club, but Baines should be a priority.

Rami

In: Adil Rami (Valencia)

Arsenal are also interested in a defender who is thought of as one of the most solid and consistent in La Liga. The 27-year-old Frenchman is said to be keen on a move to a bigger club to further his career and work his way into the French national side, and there aren’t many bigger than Manchester United. Moyes may look at his current options in the centre of defence and see room for improvement, as Rio Ferdinand is now 34 and Nemanja Vidic has had a lot of recent problems with long-term injuries. Rami would give the team extra depth in this position, and it’s always good to beat a rival to a talented player. Rami would cost around £12million and that looks a decent price for a player who could shore up United’s backline for a good five years or more.

Marchisio Bologna

In: Claudio Marchisio (Juventus)

A new central midfielder is a must for Moyes, and it’s no surprise to see Juventus’ Claudio Marchisio linked as he is an excellent all-rounder. The 27-year-old has been at Juventus his whole career, and has established himself for club and country as a reliable goal-scorer from the middle of the park. With Scholes retiring and Anderson likely to be sold, United could do well to land this big name from a big team who have won two Serie A titles in a row. His team-mate Arturo Vidal has also been linked to United, but has expressed his desire to stay in Turin, so they may now prioritise Marchisio.

In: Nemanja Matic (Benfica)

Benfica have slapped a big £45million price tag on the head of talented Serbian playmaker Nemanja Matic, but the 25-year-old could be something of a marquee signing for Manchester United this summer. Matic is a skillful and elegant midfielder who could offer the kind of creativity that United will miss from the retiring Scholes. The sales of the likes of Anderson should help fund a move, and it looks like it would be worth it, and Matic himself would surely welcome a move to a bigger team after he and Benfica endured a painful defeat to Chelsea in this season’s Europa League final. Once of Chelsea as a youngster, he would surely relish the chance to prove himself in the Premier League again.

Cristiano Ronaldo Real Madrid

In: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)

Wayne Rooney’s name could quickly be forgotten by Manchester United fans if David Moyes can pull off the signing of the summer and bring Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo back to Old Trafford. The Portuguese winger developed into one of the best players in the world at United under Sir Alex Ferguson before his record-breaking £80million move to Real. He has gone on to enhance his reputation further, with an incredible record of 200 goals in 198 games in his time at the Bernebeu, and would form a mouth-watering partnership with Robin van Persie to surely guarantee that the club retain their Premier League crown. He will no doubt be expensive, but if rumours are to be believed, Moyes could offer the likes of Nani and Hernandez in return along with cash, and this signing of a United legend would be a great way for the new manager to endear himself to the United fans.

Top Ten Premier League Centre-Backs In 2012/13

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It’s end of season poll time. Check in to Newcastle United vs Arsenal Each week we will invite our readers to vote in a poll that will help us to produce a Premier League Best XI of 2012/13. Today is the turn of the centre-backs. Jan Vertonghe…

Manuel Pellegrini Draws Up Five Man Man City Wish-List: Marco Reus & Angel Di Maria Are Main Targets

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Di Maria Man UnitedIncoming manager has a list of five main targets for City.

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Manuel Pellegrini has informed Manchester City of five of his main targets if he joins the club as manager this summer, according to the Daily Star.

The most notable names on the list are Borussia Dortmund’s Marco Reus, and Real Madrid winger Angel Di Maria, with a deal already said to be in place for Malaga star Isco to follow his boss to the Etihad Stadium.

German attacking midfielder Reus has been a star performer for Borussia Dortmund and is wanted by a number of big clubs, but City will look to test the Bundesliga club’s hand with a big bid of £32million.

Angel Di Maria has also been linked with AC Milan, as Real Madrid may be tempted to sell the Argentinian this summer following a slightly off-form season from the former Benfica player. He could also become surplus to requirements at the Bernebeu if the club manage to land their main transfer target this summer – Gareth Bale.

Pellegrini’s other targets are said to be Sevilla duo Jesus Navas and Geoffrey Kondogbia, with the 59-year-old keen to raid the Spanish league that he knows so well.

AC Milan Tracking Real Madrid Playmaker Luka Modric

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Modric FutureMilan want Croatian Real Madrid midfield man.

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AC Milan are hoping to lure former Tottenham star Luka Modric away from Real Madrid this summer, after the Croatian has endured a difficult time at the Bernebeu.

According to Corriere Dello Sport, Milan are snooping around for a number of players that could be unwanted by Real this summer, including Angel Di Maria and Diego Lopez.

The Spanish giants are likely to clear out a lot of their squad players during pre-season, as they look to spend money on star players like Gareth Bale to help win back the Spanish league title off Barcelona next year.

Modric joined Real Madrid from Spurs last summer for £33million, but has not managed to establish himself as a key member of the first team in Jose Mourinho’s side, despite the 27-year-old’s impressive years at White Hart Lane.

He has been linked with a return to Spurs, as well as with AC Milan’s rivals Inter, as he looks to get his career back on track. However, he may also feel he has a better chance at the Bernebeu next season when Mourinho is replaced with a new manager.

Transfer Rumour Gossip: Chelsea In £100m Spending Spree, AC Milan Join Benteke Chase, Gunners Pair Set for Exit

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Benteke Stoke CityA round-up of Thursday’s biggest transfer stories.

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AC Milan are the latest club to be linked with Aston Villa star Christian Benteke, joining Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund in the race for his signature.

Full story: Daily Mirror.

Shakhtar’s Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho wants the club the lower his release fee clause so that he can join Manchester City this summer.

Full story: Daily Express.

Malaga manager Manuel Pellegrini has informed Manchester City of five main transfer targets he wants to pursue if he joins the club.

Full story: Daily Star.

However, Malaga themselves deny that their in-demand boss will be allowed to leave the club at the end of the season.

Full story: talkSPORT.

Mourinho Odds

Jose Mourinho will be handed £100m to invest in his Chelsea squad if he does, as expected, return to Stamford Bridge this summer.

Full story: Daily Mail

Liverpool have reportedly made a £4million bid for young Sporting Lisbon central defender Tiago Ilori.

Full story: Daily Mirror.

Tottenham have been linked with a number of strikers, including Barcelona’s David Villa and 19-year-old Croatian Ante Rebic.

Full story: Daily Mail.

Arsenal contract rebel Bacary Sagna has not ruled out a move to French giants PSG this summer, though he says he has not been approached by the club.

Full story: The Sun.

Chelsea are expected to announce that veteran midfielder Frank Lampard has been given a new one-year contract.

Full story: London Evening Standard.

John Terry

Fellow Chelsea legend John Terry would also like to sign a new contract with the club, after also being linked with a move away this summer.

Full story: Daily Mirror.

Rafael Benitez says he is proud of his time at Chelsea, with the interim manager set to end his time at the club with silverware, following the Blues’ Europa League triumph.

Full story: BBC Sport.

Chelsea’s Eden Hazard is the latest player to express his hope that Jose Mourinho will be the club’s next manager.

Full story: Daily Express.

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan believes he may still be able to keep hold of manager Roberto Martinez next season, despite the club’s relegation to the Championship.

Full story: The Telegraph.

However, Malaga are reportedly considering Martinez as a replacement if Pellegrini joins Manchester City.

Full story: Daily Mirror.

Arsenal misfit Marouane Chamakh admits he is unlikely to stay at the club next season and would welcome a return to former club Bordeaux.

Full story: Sky Sports.

Newly-promoted Hull City are targeting a move for former Manchester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.

Full story: The Sun.

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Wolves, who will play in League One next season, are said to be making an audacious move for former England manager Steve McClaren to take over at the club.

Full story: Daily Mirror.

A website linked with Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has apologised for the untrue rumour they published yesterday saying that the club had bid for Wayne Rooney!

Full story: Sports Direct News.

Tottenham ‘Very Close’ to Completing Deal to Sign Barcelona Striker David Villa

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Nou Camp forward set for White Hart Lane move. Check in to Tottenham Hotspur vs Sunderland Spanish source CadenaSer claim that 31 year old Barcelona striker David Villa is ‘very close’ to completing a deal to sign for Tottenham. The experienced Sp…

20 Transfers We Think Are Likely to Happen This Summer

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Lewandowski Man United20 transfer rumours that look likely to happen in the summer transfer window.

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Andre Schurrle Bayer Leverkusen
Andre Schurrle from Bayer Leverkusen to Chelsea.

Reports strongly suggest that this transfer will happen soon enough. The talented Bayer Leverkusen winger has lit up the Bundesliga with his displays this season and is one of many highly rated young players coming through in German football at the moment. The 22-year-old has 13 goals and 8 assists this season and for £20million will give Chelsea more options both out wide and upfront, where they are somewhat lacking in goals from unreliable and off-form pair Fernando Torres and Demba Ba. There’s always potential for late snags to derail a deal, but this looks as close as possible to being a certainty. 9/10.

Tevez Barnsley

Carlos Tevez from Manchester City to Monaco.

It’s been a relatively quiet year in the eventful career of Carlos Tevez, and it would not be surprising to see something come of the rumours that he is being lined up by big-spending Monaco, who will look to strengthen their team for a challenge in Ligue 1 next season. The Argentinian striker was close to leaving City last season after a falling out with Roberto Mancini, and remains keen on a move away from England, despite getting back to close to his best form at the Etihad Stadium this season. There aren’t many clubs who could afford his enormous wages, so a move to billionaire-owned Monaco makes sense. 8/10.

David Villa Chelsea

David Villa from Barcelona to Tottenham.

One of the most composed finishers of the last ten years, David Villa would be an excellent signing for Tottenham if they can do it. The Barcelona forward has still managed 15 goals at the Nou Camp this season despite limited playing time, showing he hasn’t lost the goal scoring touch. With Spurs’ shortage of goals from Emmanuel Adebayor and Jermain Defoe, a new striker is a must for Andre Villas-Boas in the upcoming transfer window. At 31 years of age and with recent injury problems, Barca are willing to let the former Valencia striker leave, but if he goes on the cheap he could be a smart move for Spurs. He has also been linked with Arsenal and they would love to beat their North London rivals to the Spaniard. 8/10.

Fernandinho Manchester

Fernandinho from Shakhtar Donetsk to Manchester City.

Manchester City are looking for new midfielders to improve on their current options of Gareth Barry and Javi Garcia, and have identified Shakhtar’s Fernandinho as a prime target after some impressive displays for the Ukranian side this season. The 28-year-old is also keen on a move to the Premier League as he looks to catch the eye of Brazilian national team manager Luiz Felipe Scolari in time for next summer’s World Cup. 8/10.

TELLOGIMP

Cristian Tello from Barcelona to Liverpool.

Liverpool are keen to sign this talented young forward from Barcelona to take some of the weight of Luis Suarez’s shoulders next season. With Barcelona also keen on Reds goalkeeper Pepe Reina, rumour has it that a swap deal could take place between the two sides. Either that, or Liverpool and a few other clubs may look into activating his relatively cheap £8.5million minimum release fee clause. The offer of first-team football could lure the Spaniard away from the Nou Camp. 7/10.

Nani Man City

Nani from Manchester United to Juventus.

The Portuguese winger has been an inconsistent performer this season for United, simply failing to do his job in providing enough goals and assists from the flanks. However, Juventus are said to be willing to offer him a lifeline in Serie A, as they look so strengthen their title-winning squad for a better challenge in the Champions League next year. Sir Alex Ferguson recently denied rumours that Nani would be sold, but he won’t be in charge next season and new United boss David Moyes may have other plans. An exit seems likely, though it remains yet to be seen if it will be Juventus he ends up at. 6/10.

Marchisio Torino

Claudio Marchisio from Juventus to Manchester United.

In the other direction, Manchester United have been linked with a couple of Juventus midfielders. Arturo Vidal probably won’t be moving, after saying he is happy at the club. However, Claudio Marchisio has also been lined up by United as possible replacement for the retiring Paul Scholes. The Italian is an experienced and combative box-to-box player who would give the Red Devils some much-needed bite in the middle of the park alongside Michael Carrick. Marchisio is highly valued by Juventus though, and won’t come cheap, which could prove a stumbling block in a potential deal. 5/10.

Edin Dzeko Arsenal

Edin Dzeko from Manchester City to Napoli.

Napoli appear to be leading the chase for out-of-favour Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko. The Bosnian striker is surely on his way out of the Etihad Stadium this summer after an inconsistent couple of years with the club. Despite the occasional scoring streak, the former Wolsburg man has not looked worth the £28million City paid for him, and they will look to make a number of changes to their strike force after a disappointing season in which they failed to win a trophy. City’s interest in landing Napoli’s Edinson Cavani could push the deal through. 7/10.

Cavani Four

Edinson Cavani from Napoli to Manchester City.

If the deal above goes through, then Manchester City will surely be favourites to land their long-term target Edinson Cavani. The Uruguayan striker has been in tremendous form for Napoli over the last couple of seasons and City will hope to be able to offer the most money to both him and his club to fight off other suitors such as Chelsea and Real Madrid. This world class talent would give City a big edge in regaining the Premier League title next season. 7/10.

Higuain Arsenal

Gonzalo Higuain from Real Madrid to Arsenal.

Arsenal have apparently been told by Real Madrid that an offer of £22million would get them Gonzalo Higuain. The talented Argentine has been placed on the transfer list at the Bernebeu as the Spanish giants hope to raise some money for some summer spending of their own. Arsenal are in need of a striker to fill the void left by Robin van Persie, which Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski have not quite managed to fill so far. However, with Higuain also wanted by Juventus and Tottenham, will Arsenal really fancy their chances of winning a bidding war for the 25-year-old? 5/10.

Baines West Brom

Leighton Baines from Everton to Manchester United.

The England left-back has been one of Everton’s stand-out performers this season, and departing manager David Moyes is apparently understandably keen to take the 28-year-old with him to Manchester United. With current United left-back Patrice Evra looking past his best, this move would make a great deal of sense, and Baines will be keen to play Champions League football at this point in his career, feeling he has probably given all he can to Everton. 8/10.

Lewandowski Man United Confident

Robert Lewandowski from Borussia Dortmund to Bayern Munich.

Borussia Dortmund are likely to be dealt the blow of losing their star striker to rivals Bayern Munich this summer. The 24-year-old has been in lethal form for the Bundesliga side over the last couple of seasons, attracting interest from Manchester United and Chelsea, but the Polish striker himself seems to favour a move to the current Bundesliga champions, and could play his final game for Dortmund against his future employers in this season’s Champions League final. Mario Goetze has already been confirmed as making the same move, and all rumours suggest Lewandowski will follow his team-mate. 9/10.

Benteke Stoke City

Christian Benteke from Aston Villa to Borussia Dortmund.

Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke has enjoyed a great first season in English football, scoring 19 goals and providing 4 assists in the league to help his side fight relegation from the Premier League. The talented youngster’s form has not gone unnoticed, attracting interest from the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham, and also Dortmund, who will need to replace the goals of Bayern-bound Robert Lewandowski. Villa will struggle to hold on to such a talent, but would prefer not to lose him to a rival English club, which may give the Bundesliga giants an edge in landing their target. 7/10.

Zlatan fight

Zlatan Irahimovic from PSG to Juventus.

The enigmatic Swedish striker has just won Ligue 1 with PSG, adding yet another league title in another country to his fine collection. However, the team’s title celebrations were marred by Ibrahimovic getting into a heated argument with club director Leonardo, fueling speculation that he could return to old club Juventus this summer. The 31-year-old has spent most his career in Serie A and would welcome a return to a Juventus team that look like going places in the next couple of years. However, the Italian giants have not been known to splash out huge amounts of money in recent years, which could make this deal tricky, given Ibrahimovic’s high wages in Paris. 6/10.

Gareth Bale

Gareth Bale from Tottenham to Real Madrid.

One of the biggest stories of the last few months is that in-demand Spurs star Gareth Bale will make a big-money move to Real Madrid this summer. The Spanish giants are known for their ‘galactico’ signings and are prepared to offer as much as £65million for the talented Welsh winger. Spurs are keen to hold on to him, but may understandably feel they cannot turn down such a big offer. Real tend to get their way in the transfer market, and it will be harder for Bale to say no if there is no offer of Champions League football at White Hart Lane next season. 8/10.

Neymar Cat Piss

Neymar from Santos to Barcelona.

One of the most sought-after young talents in the world looks to have agreed a deal to join Barcelona this summer. Manchester City, Chelsea and Real Madrid were all keen on him, but despite rumours of a late effort from Real, he is keen to link up with the likes of Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta at the Nou Camp next season. The deal is expected to be confirmed in the coming weeks. 9/10.

Isco Award

Isco from Malaga to Manchester City.

Isco has earned rave reviews for his performances in La Liga with Malaga this season, getting himself onto the radar of many top clubs. Chelsea were known to be keen on him, but with Malaga manager Manuel Pellegrini looking the likely candidate to replace Roberto Mancini as manager at Manchester City next season, it seems he will bring his star player with him to the Etihad Stadium. The 21-year-old would prove an excellent addition to the squad and City will be glad to bring in a big name such as him to help them in their title quest next season. 8/10.

Hernandez Chelsea

Javier Hernandez from Manchester United to Atletico Madrid.

With Atletico Madrid certain to lose star striker Radamel Falcao this summer, they have reportedly identified Manchester United’s Javier Hernandez as a decent replacement. Although the Mexican has struggled for games at United, his finishing ability is obvious and he will feel he is deserving of more first team opportunities. United could let him leave for £12million, and it looks a good piece of business by the La Liga outfit. 8/10.

Falcao Five Coruna

Radamel Falcao from Atletico Madrid to Monaco.

In the last couple of days, Monaco have emerged as the surprise favourites to sign Atletico Madrid’s in-demand striker Radamel Falcao. The Colombian’s fine form this season has attracted interest from Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Real Madrid, but he now looks likely to be tempted by the big money on offer at the newly-promoted French club. It is a blow for the others, but a massive boost for Monaco as they look to wrestle for the Ligue 1 title with fellow big-spenders PSG. 8/10.

Rooney Exit

Wayne Rooney from Manchester United to Chelsea.

In what would be a sensational move, all signs now point to unwanted Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney joining rivals Chelsea. Chelsea currently look like missing out on their other main targets, with Cavani going to City, Falcao going to Monaco and Lewandowski going to Bayern, meaning they could turn to the England striker to be their long-term Didier Drogba replacement. Bayern had been linked with the 27-year-old, but then denied the rumours, and there aren’t many other clubs that could afford his high wages. Although United would rather not sell to another English club, they are certainly not planning on keeping Rooney after some poor displays this season and his submitted transfer request. This would be something of a shock, but it seems ever more likely that it will happen. 7/10.

Highly-Rated Liverpool Target Offered New Deal

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Blackpool offer new contract to in-demand youngster. Check in to Liverpool vs QPR Liverpool target Tom Ince is to be offered a new deal by current club Blackpool, according to ESPN. The 21-year-old winger, son of former England captain Paul Ince, ha…

Can I get a Left-Back up in Here?: Spurs v Sunderland Tactical Preview

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Well, there’s ninety minutes of the 2012/13 season left, and Champions League football might not be in our hands, but you can’t say that Tottenham haven’t given it a damn good go. If Tottenham win against Sunderland at White Hart Lane but don’t qualify for the Champions Leauge, they’ll have still finished the season on 72 […]

Liverpool to Tempt Barcelona With £10m Player Swap Offer

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Pepe Reina RETINAReds to swap goalkeeper for young forward.

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Liverpool and Barcelona could do a swap deal this summer, with Cristian Tello moving to the Premier League as Pepe Reina moves to the Nou Camp.

The Daily Mirror understands that Barcelona are keen to sign Reina for around £10million as a replacement for Victor Valdes, who has confirmed his desire to leave the club this summer for a new challenge.

Valdes himself has been linked with Liverpool among other clubs, but it seems that Reds boss Brendan Rodgers is more keen to land 21-year-old forward Tello in return for his goalkeeper.

Tello is highly-rated at the Nou Camp, though he has struggled to break into the first team due to the quality of competition ahead of him. He reportedly has a minimum release fee clause of just £8.5million and would welcome a chance to get more regular football to progress in his career.

Liverpool have been linked with him several times as they look to bolster their strike force this summer, and Arsenal and Tottenham have also been showing an interest in the Spaniard.

However, with Liverpool also content to let Reina go, they could use their goalkeeper as a useful bargaining tool to beat other clubs to Tello.

Top Ten Worst Roberto Mancini Manchester City Signings

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Mancini Balotelli CoverTen signings that really did the Etihad Stadium boss no favours.

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Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Fulham - City of Manchester Stadium

10. Jerome Boateng

The £10million signing from Hamburg arrived as a great prospect, but failed to adapt to English football. The 24-year-old has since gone on to establish himself as a regular for both Bayern Munich and Germany, despite only making 16 appearances in a disappointing spell for City. A talented player no doubt, but not a signing that worked out for Roberto Mancini.

Soccer - Carling Cup - Third Round - Manchester City v Birmingham City - Etihad Stadium

9. Owen Hargreaves

This controversial move did not turn out to be worth it for Roberto Mancini. Brought to City on a free transfer from rivals Manchester United, it was hoped that the former England midfielder could revive his career after an injury-plagued few years at Old Trafford. However, he made just one league appearance for the club and was released again immediately after. The 32-year-old has not since managed to find a new club, which suggests this project by Mancini was a big waste of everyone’s time.

Stefan Savic

8. Stefan Savic

The young defender was signed from Partizan Belgrade for just £6million, but ended up looking a total flop at Manchester City. He spent just one season at the club in their title-winning year, but made a number of poor individual errors that saw him quickly shipped out of the club at the end of the season. One positive to come from this move was that City then included him as part of a swap deal to bring the far more talented Matija Nastasic to the club from Fiorentina.

Edin Dzeko2

7. Edin Dzeko

Despite the occasional good run of form in front of goal, the former Wolsburg striker has definitely not looked worth the £27million that Mancini paid for him in 2011. The highlight of the Bosnian’s career at City will no doubt be his four-goal haul against Tottenham at White Hart Lane, but more than anything he will be remembered for looking slow, sluggish and missing a number of easy sitters in front of goal.

Maicon

6. Maicon

The Brazilian defender was a great player for a few years at Mancini’s old club Inter Milan, which presumably moved the Italian coach to sign him for City, but it came a few years too late as the 31-year-old is clearly past his best form. He has been unable to force his way past Pablo Zabaleta in City’s staring lineup, and has looked a strange and unnecessary signing.

Scott Sinclair Man City

5. Scott Sinclair

Roberto Mancini admits himself that he got this one wrong. The Italian signed the winger from Swansea on the back of a good season at the Liberty Stadium, but has hardly given him a chance to impress at all. The 24-year-old has made just 11 league appearances, mostly short cameos from the bench, and no one really knows what Mancini had in mind with this transfer at all.

Jack Rodwell Man City Southampton

4. Jack Rodwell

The 22-year-old seemed a strange signing from Everton. The young midfielder undoubtedly has talent, but was a poor choice by Roberto Mancini considering his terrible injury record. These fitness problems have followed him from Goodison Park to the Etihad Stadium and he has made just 10 appearances for the club this season, which is not a great return when you spend £15million on a player.

Kolarov + Tevez + Balotelli + Lescott

3. Aleksandar Kolarov

The £16million signing from Lazio has to go down as a poor piece of business by Mancini. Despite his knack for free-kicks and long range shots with his powerful left foot, the Serbian has not looked up to coping with the pace of the English game, and is not really good enough defensively. He has found himself mostly behind Gael Clichy in the pecking order this season, and will probably move back to Serie A this summer.

Nasri Headbutt

2. Samir Nasri

Definitely a mistake that has gone on to haunt Mancini – £25million for Samir Nasri from Arsenal has not been worth it at all, with the French winger showing a tendency to hide away in big games and generally be unreliable in providing the numbers of goals and assists you would expect from an attacking midfielder. Arsenal fans are laughing, and on this occasion they certainly were the winners despite what seemed like another high-profile departure from the club.

Mancini Balotelli Cover

1. Mario Balotelli

The controversial Italian may have scored 13 goals in their title-winning campaign last season, including two important strikes in the memorable 6-1 thrashing of rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford, but the £20million signing from Inter Milan will be remembered more for his disciplinary problems on and off the pitch, which often infuriated his team-mates and manager. Mancini finally gave up on him this January, selling him to AC Milan, but it definitely took him too long to realise Balotelli was a lost cause.

Tottenham Among Clubs On Alert as Watford Striker Matej Vydra Plots Premier League Future

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Matej VydraCzech goalscorer will leave if Hornets fail to go up.

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On loan Watford striker Matej Vydra has put a number of Premier League clubs on high alert after admitting that he will move on should they fail to secure promotion this month, according to the London Evening Standard.

The 21-year-old who is currently on loan with Watford from Italian side Udinese has made a name for himself this season by notching 24 goals in 50 games and has attracted the attentions of a number of Premier League sides.

QPR, Spurs, Fulham and Aston Villa have all been credited with an interest at various points during the campaign will now be put on high alert as the Czech Republic international has announced that he will look to move on should they fail to overcome Crystal Palace in the Championship play off final later this month.

He has made it clear that he would strongly consider another season at Vicarage Road if they make it to the top flight, but failure will cast his future into doubt as he is behind Antonio Di Natale and Colombian forward Luis Muriel in the packing order at the Northern Italian packing order and may struggle to re-establish himself should he return.

Vydra is valued at just £5 million, but it is thought that any club wanting to sign him will have to pay significantly more than that to secure his services as his contract with Udinese runs until 2016.

Transfer Rumour Gossip: Chelsea Close to Signing £42.5m Striker, Arsenal In £22m Argentine Signing Coup, Latics Deny Martinez Approach

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Cavani AtalantaA round-up of Wednesday’s biggest transfer stories and gossip.

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Bayern Munich sporting director Matthias Sammer says the club are not planning a bid for out-of-favour Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney.

Full story: The Guardian.

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero is the latest to be linked with an exit from the club this summer, as the 24-year-old apparently wants a new challenge.

Full story: Daily Mail.

Chelsea are keen to compete with Manchester City for the signing of Napoli striker Edinson Cavani, after appearing to miss out on Radamel Falcao.

Full story: The Sun.

Whilst another source claims that Chelsea and Napoli have agreed a deal that would see the Uruguayan move to Stamford Bridge.

Full story: talkSPORT

Isco Award

Malaga midfielder Isco is a priority target for Manuel Pellegrini if he moves from the Spanish club to Manchester City this summer.

Full story: The Metro.

Arsenal have been told to pay up £22million for Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain, also a target for Juventus and Tottenham.

Full story: Daily Mirror.

Inter Milan could beat Tottenham to the signing of in-demand Sevilla striker Alvaro Negredo, according to the club’s sporting director Marco Branca.

Full story: talkSPORT.

Liverpool want to do a deal with Barcelona that would see goalkeeper Pepe Reina and young Barca forward Cristian Tello switch places this summer.

Full story: Daily Mirror.

Borussia Dortmund could beat Liverpool to the signing of highly-rated Porto striker Jackson Martinez, as they seek a replacement for Robert Lewandowski.

Full story: Bild.

Papiss Cisse

The German side have also been linked with Newcastle United’s Senegalese striker Papiss Cisse in a bid to replace their Polish forward.

Full story: Daily Mirror.

West Brom do not hold out much hope of keeping on-loan Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku next season, and have targeted Anderlecht striker Dieumerci Mbokani as a replacement.

Full story: Daily Mail.

Tottenham and Fulham are eyeing up a move for young Watford striker Matej Vydra, who could be available if his side do not win promotion to the Premier League.

Full story: London Evening Standard.

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has decided to retire from international football at the age of 34.

Full story: Daily Mirror.

Fulham are considering replacing current manager Martin Jol with Brighton’s Gus Poyet.

Full story: Daily Telegraph.

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has revealed that his side have not been practicing penalties in the build-up to the Europa League final.

Full story: Daily Mirror.

Manchester United originally wanted PSG and former Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti to take over from Sir Alex Ferguson, a French journalist has claimed.

Full story: The Metro.

New Manchester United manager David Moyes will offer veteran midfielder Ryan Giggs a place on his coaching staff after he calls an end to his playing career.

Full story: Daily Mirror.

Roberto Martinez

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan says Everton have not approached the club for manager Roberto Martinez yet.

Full story: Sky Sports.

A group of Everton players were left embarrassed after turning up at the wrong venue for Phil Neville’s leaving party, finding themselves at a Manchester United players’ celebration instead!

Full story: Manchester Evening News.

Inter Milan To Rival Tottenham In Push to Sign Spanish Striker

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Alvaro NegredoNegredo wanted in Italy now.

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Italian giants Inter Milan are set to rival Tottenham Hotspur for the signature of Sevilla striker Alvaro Negredo this summer, according to talkSPORT.

Spurs are still in with a shout on qualifying for next season’s Champions League but manager Andre Villas-Boas feels the club would be heading into the final game of the season with their future unknown had they had more firepower this season and will look to top up their goal threat this summer following the disappointing form of Emmanuel Adebayor and the injury woes of Jermain Defoe.

Spurs had been linked with a number of quality strikers recently including Christian Benteke, Leandro Damiao and Alvaro Negredo with the latter being the likely option.

AVB sees the Spanish international as the ideal foil for the creativeness of Gareth Bale and have reportedly been working on a deal to bring him to White Heart Lane, though they now face some tough competition from Italy in the shape of Inter Milan.

Inter’s sporting director Marco Branca spoke to the press lately to confirm the club’s interest in the 27-year-old.

“He is a great player and one I know very well. But now is not the time to do crazy things,” he said.

“It is one thing for us to be interested in a player and quite another for us to be able to afford his contract.”

Negredo has bagged 28 goals in 36 games this season.