After losing captain Kamil Glik , Torino are reluctant to see Bruno Peres depart the club, with Manchester City being told they must spend big to sign him. The Etihad outfit launched a €15 million bid, which was subsequently rejected, before following up with a bid in the region of €17.5m, which Granata officials also turned down . Torino President Urbano Cairo values Peres at €20m, with the club unwilling to accept any figure less than that amount, according to Toro News. The right-back joined from Santos for €2.2m in 2014, and has … [Read more...]
Guardiola: facing Mourinho made me better
Rivals from their El Clasico days, the coaching duo will now lock horns on opposite sides of the Manchester footballing divide. As they prepare to renew their fierce rivalry, Pep Guardiola has claimed that Jose Mourinho has made him a better coach. The Spaniard will face off against his long-standing nemesis after taking the reins at Manchester City, the Portuguese pitching up just down the road at local rivals Manchester United. “It’s not about him or me,” said Guardiola to press who had gathered for his first press conference since … [Read more...]
Manchester City make improved offer for Juventus defender
Manhester City are expected to make an improved offer for Leonardo Bonucci, after Juventus rejected an opening bid of £38.6 million for the Italy centre-half, as Pep Guardiola steps up his protracted battle to reshape the club’s defence. Guardiola wants to sign two central defenders, a right-back and a goalkeeper but City may have to pay a fee of around £50 million to lure Bonucci, a similar amount of money to what Everton are demanding for their other centre-half target, John Stones. Bonucci impressed at the European Championships for … [Read more...]
Sergio Aguero may join Messi in retirement
In a brutal tirade over the state of Argentine football, Leonel Aguero was also critical of the AFA and Gerardo Martino. The Argentinian national team are living in precarious times, with Sergio Aguero’s father Leonel saying that his son will also hang up his international boots if Lionel Messi does not play for them again. ‘Kun’ has been one of Messi’s most loyal friends since their days in the Argentina Under-20 squad. Even after the painful defeat for the team in the Copa America final against Chile, Messi went to Aguero’s house in … [Read more...]
Guardiola taunts Manchester United
Pep Guardiola has warned that Manchester City are yet to secure their place in the Champions League -- but said their situation is still "better than Manchester United's." Guardiola agreed to join City in February and said taking the job had not been dependent on the club qualifying for the Champions League. They eventually finished fourth under Guardiola's predecessor, Manuel Pellegrini, and must win a two-legged playoff to qualify for the group stage, with Roma and Borussia Monchengladbach among their potential opponents. However, the … [Read more...]
Manchester City sign Ukraine winger Oleksandr Zinchenko from FC Ufa
Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Ukraine attacking midfielder Oleksandr Zinchenko from FC Ufa. Sources revealed last week that City had agreed a deal for Zinchenko, 19, and the transfer has now been completed. The Manchester Evening News reports that Zinchenko cost £1.7 million. He played in all three of Ukraine's matches at Euro 2016, coming on as a substitute against Germany and Northern Ireland, before starting against Poland. Zinchenko scored twice in 26 appearances in all competitions for Russian club Ufa, after … [Read more...]
New City signing Mooy loaned out to Huddersfield
Australian midfield maestro Aaron Mooy is set to continue his career with Huddersfield Town after it was announced he would move on a season-long loan today. Mooy was delighted to join his team-mates for training this week ahead of the 2016-17 English Championship season. "I'm delighted to join Huddersfield Town Football Club, ahead of what I'm sure will be a really exciting season and I can't wait to get started. The Championship is a really tough competition and provides me with a good challenge for the next stage of my career," Mooy … [Read more...]
Kelechi Iheanacho risks wrath of new City gaffer Pep Guardiola
KELECHI IHEANACHO has risked the wrath of Pep Guardiola by declaring he wants to represent Nigeria at the Olympics. The striker, who netted 14 goals for City last season, is now set to miss the start of new season by going to the Games The 19 year old Nigerian was included in his country’s 35–man provisional squad early last month. But it was then made clear to him that Guardiola – presented on Sunday to the club’s fans at the City Football Academy – wanted him to remain and start work with him. But Iheanacho, who was last season’s … [Read more...]
Guardiola: City players more important than Man United boss
Guardiola is set to resume his bitter and long-running rivalry with Mourinho, who starts his job as manager at neighbours Manchester United today. City’s new boss has been busy reshaping his squad and his backroom team at the Etihad Stadium, naming retired Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta as one of four assistant coaches yesterday – as we revealed he would in February. And Guardiola is adamant he will not be dragged into public disputes with his arch-rival across Manchester. “The most important thing in football is that people don’t come … [Read more...]
Mikel Arteta confirms retirement set to join Man City as assistant coach
MIKEL ARTETA has confirmed his retirement to join Manchester City as assistant coach. In a statement on his Twitter account, the Spaniard admitted the chance to link up with Guardiola was 'amazing' He said: "I can confirm that I will be leaving Arsenal and retiring from playing to take up a coaching position at Manchester City. "I’ve enjoyed an amazing five years at Arsenal and it’s been an honour and a privilege to captain such a great club. I would like to personally thank the manager, board, all of my teammates and, of course, the … [Read more...]
Man City set to make £50m bid for Everton defender
The centre-back favours a move to the Etihad and City are prepared to deliver the 22-year-old for new manager Pep Guardiola and will not baulk at making him Britain’s most expensive defender. A firm bid is imminent with contact between the clubs already established and the prospect of an auction developing now seems unlikely with Stones keen to work with Guardiola. Stones was denied a move to Chelsea last summer with Everton rejecting a series of bids which went up to £35m. The TV money pouring into the Premier League means his … [Read more...]
Manchester City sign Nolito from Celta Vigo
Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Nolito from Celta Vigo on a four-year contract. Nolito, 29, who had an €18 million (£13.8m) release clause in his Celta contract, will link up with new City boss Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium, having played under him during their time together at Barcelona. The Spain international, who will wear the No. 9 shirt at City, becomes the third signing of the Guardiola era following the arrivals of Ilkay Gundogan from Borussia Dortmund and Aaron Mooy from Melbourne City. #WelcomeNolito to … [Read more...]
Nolito passes Man City Medical
Ahead of a move to England, Spain striker Nolito has passed a medical and is set to pen a three-year deal with Manchester City as his €18 million move nears completion. Celta Vigo gave the 29-year-old striker permission to travel to Manchester to complete the move after the striker returned from Spain’s early exit from Euro 2016. The transfer has been a formality for a number of weeks with Pep Guardiola keen to snap up the former Barcelona forward, who he once coached at the Camp Nou. Nolito enjoyed a hugely successful three years at … [Read more...]
Australia midfielder Aaron Mooy signs three-year deal with Manchester City
Manchester City have signed Australia midfielder Aaron Mooy from A-League side Melbourne City, with the Premier League outfit loaning Anthony Caceres and Luke Brattan to their partner club. Mooy, 25, has signed a three-year deal with the Premier League club while Caceres and Brattan move on loan for the 2016-17 season. Mooy was named Melbourne City's player of the year in each of his two seasons at AAMI PArk and set the A-League alight last season creating a record 21 assists. His form has carried him into the Socceroos contention, … [Read more...]
Guardiola relaxed about facing Jose Mourinho- Torrent
Pep Guardiola is "very relaxed" about facing Jose Mourinho in the Premier League next season and would have no problem buying him dinner, according to the new Manchester City manager's assistant Domenec Torrent. Guardiola's City side and Mourinho's Manchester United team will meet each other in the International Champions Cup in preseason on July 25. That will renew a rivalry between the two managers which was an intense one when they were in charge of Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively. Torrent was alongside Guardiola as a coach at … [Read more...]
Manchester City strike deal with Atletico Nacional for colombia starlet Marlos Moreno
Man City agree €10m deal with Atletico Nacional for the 19-year-old and will loan him out to get European experience. It looks as though Marlos Moreno will be headed to Manchester City this summer despite interest from United and Fiorentina . The 19-year-old winger currently plies his trade for Atletico Nacional, and was included in the squad Colombia took to the United States for the Copa American Centenario. The native of Medellin netted his first senior international goal at the tournament, finding the back of the net against Costa Rica … [Read more...]
Pablo Zabaleta set for a move to Roma
Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta is close to completing a £2.5 million move to Roma, according to reports in Italy. The 31-year-old is entering the final 12 months of his contract at City but has been offered a longer deal with the Serie A club, according to reports. Zabaleta fell below right-back Bacary Sagna in the pecking order at the Etihad last season and, coupled with two major injury setbacks, he made just 12 starts in the Premier League. The Argentina international also had to have surgery on an ankle injury in May, which … [Read more...]
Joe Hart apologies after Iceland howler
Three Lions crashed out of Euro 2016 against minnows Iceland and Joe Hart admits they deserve flak. But it was still not enough to save them from a brutal kicking from fans and pundits as Roy Hodgson paid the ultimate price for failure. Hodgson, the highest-paid boss at the Euros on £3.5million a year, knew his number was up long before the final whistle blew in Nice last night. But his players were just as quick to shoulder the blame, with blunder keeper Joe Hart admitting: “We will get a lot of flak and we deserve it. “I was to … [Read more...]
Man City striker Sergio Aguero and Mascherano follow Lionel Messi in quitting National team after Copa America loss
Argentina stars Javier Mascherano and Sergio Aguero have followed Lionel Messi in retiring from international football following their penalty heartbreak to Chile in the Copa America. Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi was the first to go after his miss in the shootout , emotionally bidding farewell to the international scene after another high-profile failure. And now Mascherano and Aguero have also followed suit, with reports in Argentina suggesting that Angel Di Maria, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Gonzalo Higuain and Lucas Biglia could ALL be … [Read more...]
Leicester City considering a move for Wilfried Bony
Premier League champions Leicester City could switch their striking targets to Man City misfit Wilfried Bony, according to a report. Sources claim that Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri is now considering a move for the 27-year-old after being quoted a staggering £30million for Watford hitman Troy Deeney. Ivory Coast frontman Bony looks set to move on this summer after making just 13 Premier League starts last season, scoring four times. He is under contract until June 2019 after signing a four-and-a-half-year deal when he arrived from … [Read more...]
Pep Guardiola assures Raheem Sterling of his future at City
Incoming Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has contacted Raheem Sterling to assure him that he has a big future at the club, according to reports. The England forward has been the subject of plenty of criticism after his disappointing performances in the Euro 2016 opening games against Russia and Wales. And Roy Hodgson's coaching staff have said they are concerned about the state of Sterling's mind with his confidence apparently dented following criticism from pundits and fans and on social media. However, Guardiola contacted him to … [Read more...]
Manchester City lineup £30million Sane bid
MANCHESTER CITY will reportedly make a £30million opening offer for Schalke star Leroy Sane, despite the Bundesliga club wanting more for the player. Sane, 20, is being chased by a number of clubs, with City facing a battle with Bayern Munich and Barcelona for his signature. Sources claim Schalke are braced for offers and want £40m for their attacking midfielder. They have even lined up Switzerland international Breel Embolo as a replacement. But City are hoping to undercut Schalke with a reduced bid. According to the claims, … [Read more...]
Nolito agrees personal terms with Man City as move inches closer
Manchester City are reportedly confident of completing the signing of Nolito from Celta Vigo amid claims they had agreed a three-year contract with the Spaniard. According to widespread reports on Wednesday, City boss Pep Guardiola is on the verge of making the 29-year-old Celta Vigo star his second signing at the Etihad, following on from the recent £20million capture of Ilkay Gundogan. Nolito, whose real name is Manuel Agudo Durán, is currently part of the Spain squad at Euro 2016 having scored 12 goals in La Liga last season and will … [Read more...]
Ex Manchester City coach linked with Russia job
Leonid Slutsky will step away from the Russia job after a disappointing Euro 2016 campaign in France. Following Russia’s poor performance at Euro 2016 , coach Leonid Slutsky has ended his spell with the team and ex-Manchester City coach Manuel Pellegrini is first choice to replace him. Russia exit the tournament with only one point gained from their three group games and with the coach taking all of the responsibility for the poor quality shown during the tournament. The Russian Football Association (RFS) has apparently targeted … [Read more...]
Euro2016: Hart backs England strikers to score as tournament progresses
Joe Hart is backing England's toothless attack to come good in Euro 2016's round of 16. Roy Hodgson's men drew a blank in their 0-0 draw with Slovakia in Saint-Etienne on Monday; Daniel Sturridge and Jamie Vardy failing to build on their goals in the 2-1 win over Wales, while Harry Kane, introduced as a substitute in the second half, endured another fruitless outing in France. Vardy in particular wasted England's best chance of the game in the 17th minute, shooting straight at goalkeeper Matus Kozacik after racing on to a forward pass and … [Read more...]