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Manchester City football club news, Manchester City transfers, Premier League

Manchester City Transfer Balls: Ross Barkley for £45m, £200m Messi and 8 other news faces

Transfer Balls looks at players being linked to Manchester City in the January sale season. Rumour, speculation and downright balls are presented as fact by the mainstream media. So far this January, the media experts have told us that following players are all on their way to City:

Ross Barkley:

The Indy:

Ross Barkley could be about to light up the January transfer window and become the record English signing in the process, according to reports. It is understood that Everton are willing to consider selling their star, possibly for as much as £60m, in order to fund a general strengthening of their squad. According to reports, Roberto Martinez is willing to listen to offers over £45m for Barkley, as he looks to avoid slipping down the table and into a relegation battle.

Links to said “reports”: zero.

 

Lionel Messi:

Daily Star: “Man City remain hopeful of beating Chelsea to Lionel Messi in INCREDIBLE £200m deal”

Incredible!

 

Christian Benteke:

The Sun: “Manchester City are plotting a swoop for Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke, 24”

 

Lacazette and Fekir:

Daily Express: “Man City plot DOUBLE SWOOP to beat Arsenal and Liverpool to Lyon stars Lacazette and Fekir MANCHESTER CITY are looking to beat Liverpool to Alexandre Lacazette and Arsenal to Nabil Fekir.”

 

Bozhidar Kraev:

The Guardian: “Levski Sofia’s Bozhidar Kraev arrives for Manchester City trial”

 

Dennis Praet:

Daily Mail: “Manchester City are eying a deal for Anderlecht midfielder Dennis Praet, 20”

 

Joaquin Correa:

Daily Mail: “Manchester City join Chelsea in race to sign £8m Argentina midfielder Joaquin Correa”

 

Wilfried Bony:

Daily Mirror: “Manchester City eye transfer of Swansea’s Wilfried Bony for a bumper £25million fee”

Daily Star: “City are reportedly leading the £20m chase for Bony’s signature, but may face competition from current league leaders Chelsea, who are also keeping tabs on him.”

 

Julian Draxler:

Daily Star: “Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini wants to sign Schalke midfielder Julian Draxler, although the German side want £25m for the 21-year-old.”

 

No-one:

Daily Mail: “Manchester City will NOT be adding to their squad in January due to Financial Fair Play sanctions, says Manuel Pellegrini”

 

Running total: players in: 8.

Posted: 5th, January 2015 | In: Manchester City, Sports | Comment


Transfer Balls: Paul Pogba heads to Arsenal for £37m less than Manchester United paid

Transfer Balls – a regular look at footballers being linked to the big clubs. There is rumour of Juventus and France star Paul Pogba.

The Daily Express says Pogba is hgeaidng to Manchester United. The fee… £77m!

Paul Pogba heading to Man Utd for £77m as Juventus find replacement in Marco Verratti

 

Screen shot 2015-01-04 at 21.40.50

 

 

The Daily Star says Pogba is worth £70m. And he’s heading to all of the five richest English clubs. It’s a Transfer Balls Full House:

Several sources in Italy have suggested Premier League giants Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea are eager to snap up the 21-year-old, who joined the Old Lady in 2012.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted: 4th, January 2015 | In: Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, manchester united, Sports | Comment


Manchester City balls: Frank Lampard reminds us that Major League Soccer is rubbish

frank lampard

 

Let us be in no doubt that Major League Soccer, the United States football league, is rubbish.

Frank Lampard was excited to sign for New York City FC. And then he joined Manchester City until January 1 2015. Frank has now decided to remain at Manchester City for the duration of the Premier League season.

The Third Rail fan group respond:

We would like to publicly denounce City Football Group’s and Frank Lampard’s decision. Many fans, including our members, decided to support the team, committed to season tickets, and bought merchandise under the impression that Frank Lampard would be playing for New York City Football Club, not Manchester City. Many of those fans are rightly outraged by this decision, and we support any course of action they take to voice their discontent over this decision. We reject out of hand any suggestion that NYCFC is in any way secondary to Manchester City FC, regardless of the source, and are disappointed that City Football Group would give such an appearance.

Great stuff by the fans of a football club that hasn’t played a single game, currently has a grand total of 15 senior players on their books and, for all intents and purposes, doesn’t really exist properly yet.

Go Newers!

 

Posted: 1st, January 2015 | In: Manchester City, Sports | Comment (1)


Manchester City balls: Barcelona star makes a vow in 2D

Manchester City play Barcelona in the Champions’ League and the Sun talk is of war and fighting. The paper’s headline declares:

“I’ll Mess You Up”

Antony Kastrinakis has read Lionel Messi’a Facbeook page. Be afraid, City:

“Looking forward to playing in the next round of the Champions League. It’ll be really nice to face my friend Sergio Aguero as I always beat him at FIFA. But let’s see what happens on the pitch.”

Scary stuff…

Posted: 16th, December 2014 | In: Manchester City, Sports | Comment (1)


Talking Balls: Manchester City never did run from Manchester United in 2012

Writing in the Sun, Martin Blackburn has news on Manchester City’s affable manager Manuel Pellegrini:

Two years ago this month, City were beaten by Borussia Dortmund on a low-key night in Germany. They knew they were out of the Champions League — but it meant their three-point total was the lowest by an English team in the competition.

 

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True enough. But…:

From then on, it was very tough going for ex-boss Roberto Mancini, even though he won the title seven months earlier. His side’s title defence was already in ruins, with city rivals United running away with the Premier League.

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Posted: 11th, December 2014 | In: Manchester City, manchester united, Sports | Comments (2)


Transfer Balls: Arsenal Get Chelsea Reject Reus, Who Agreed To Join Barcelona, Manchester United And Real Madrid

The Daily Express says Mrco Reus is heading to the Premier League. He’s coming to Liverpool. No, Arsenal. No, wait, Manchester United. He’s not going to Real Madrid.

Real Madrid have no first refusal option over Marco Reus, leaving the door wide open for the Borussia Dortmund midfielder to move to the Premier League.

Odd. Because the Express has previously told readers that…

Reus is off to Real Madrid. Arsenal and Manchester United can forget it…

 

 

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Reus is off to Barcelona. Manchester United have lost out…

 

Screen shot 2014-12-03 at 14.52.12

 

 

 

Reus is staying at Dortmund. Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool are crushed…

 

Screen shot 2014-12-03 at 14.51.52

 

 

But Chelsea were delighted…

 

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Reus was then snubbed by Chelsea…

 

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And then on December 1, the Express said the Chelsea move was on…

Arsenal, Man Utd, Liverpool and Chelsea have been handed a timely boost in their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund’s Marco Reus.

And Manchester United are going to buy Reus in the summer…

 

Screen shot 2014-12-03 at 15.15.05

 

Such are the fact in the Daily Express

 

Posted: 3rd, December 2014 | In: Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Sports | Comment


Manchester City Balls: You’ll Never Guess Whose Top Of The List To Replace Pelligrini

Who will be the next manager of Manchester City?

City fans might look at Manuel Pelligrini and think, ‘Why change?’ He’s doing well. But the Chielean’s inability to behave badly means he’s no good for stories. Better to look for a new broom.

So. The Sun has facts about Manchester City’s next manager:

Diego Simeone is TOP of the Manchester City list to replace Pelligrini.

 

Screen shot 2014-12-01 at 19.25.58

 

Not so says the, er, Sun. TOP of the list to replace Pelligrini is Pep Guardiola.

 

Screen shot 2014-12-01 at 19.27.08

You can read both stories in today’s Sun. Tops for TOPS!

Posted: 1st, December 2014 | In: Manchester City, Sports | Comment


Chelsea Balls: Frank Lampard Wanted To Stay And Wants Manchester City To Win

Jamie Redknapp writes for the Daily Mail. Frank Lampard’s cousin says of Frank Lampard, now with Manchester City:

Who wouldn’t want the greatest goalscoring midfielder in Premier League history in their squad?

Answer: Chelsea.

And be in doubt that Chelsea did not want Lampard to stay at the club. As the player said:

“I would have obviously stayed if Chelsea had offered me another year. There was no reason for me to leave… If Chelsea had given me a new contract it would have been mad not to take it at the time… I had a chat with Jose Mourinho and both he and the club were always great with me. The decision was made – and I don’t know who made it.”

Redknapp then states that Lampard would like to win the league with Manchester City.

More Jamie Redknapp insight every week…

 

Posted: 1st, December 2014 | In: Chelsea, Manchester City, Sports | Comment


Manchester City Balls: The Champions League Fact You Never Knew

The free Metro newspapers has grim news for Manchester City fans hoping to see their side into the Champions’ League knock-out stages.

 

manchester city

 

 

We di not know that. Becseu it’s wrong. City beat Bayern Munich on the same night Roma and CSKA drew.

Manchester City will qualify with a win at Roma as long as CSKA do not beat Bayern, and also with a scoring draw at Roma as long as CSKA lose at Bayern.

Such are the facts…

Posted: 27th, November 2014 | In: Manchester City, Sports | Comment


Lionel Messi: Manchester City Bound?

FC BARCELONA have been the modern equivalent of The Beatles, with just about everyone heaping praise on them, apart from sneering hipsters who don’t like anything successful, so they heap praise on Borussia Dortmund instead.

One of the happiest marriages was that between the Camp Nou outfit and Lionel Messi.

However, it looks like all is not rosy in Barcelona as the the Argentine megastar has suggested that his future lies elsewhere because, in his own words, “a lot changes in football.”

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted: 26th, November 2014 | In: Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, manchester united, Sports | Comment (1)


Manchester City And Ched Evans Teach 6-Year-Old Fan A Lesson In Human Rights And Crime

When Jimmy Savile was exposed as an alleged child abuser, the BBC purged him from the schedules. Reruns of Top of The Pops, the show she presented were shelved if they contained traces of Savile.  Even looking like Savile was banned. But the BBc is big place and some Savile shards seep though the safety net. And so it is with Ched Evans. Unlike Savile, Ched Evans is alive. And unlike Savile, Evans has stood trial. The then Sheffield United football was found guilty of rape.

No longer welcome at Sheffield United, Evans is is considering his career options. His CV boasts a spell at Manchester City. He’s still there. He never left.  The Sun esplains:

PARENTS blasted Manchester City yesterday for giving children as young as six certificates featuring a photo of rapist footballer Ched Evans.

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Posted: 23rd, November 2014 | In: Manchester City, Sports | Comment (1)


Transfer Balls: Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool And Arsenal Do The OK Koke For Manchester United Star

TRANSFER Balls: The Daily Express says “Barcelona ready to beat Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool with a summer bid for Koke”.

As ever, the Express aims to get as many big clubs as possible into its story. The aim – the fabled Full House – is to link a player with the top five English clubs.

Footy expert Bruce Archer tells readers:

…reports in Spain say Koke, along with Lars Bender, is Barcelona’s priority for the summer.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted: 14th, November 2014 | In: Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, manchester united, Sports | Comment


Manchester City Balls: The Alan Shearer Pundit Masterclass

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Posted: 11th, November 2014 | In: Manchester City, Sports | Comment


Manchester City Fan Noel Gallagher Signs Manchester United Irritant Gary Neville’s Guitar

FORMER Manchester United player Gary Neville asked celebrity Manchester City fan Noel Gallagher to sign his guitar.

Noel’s message to Red Nev reads:

Noel Gallagher guitar Gary Neville

 

Dear Gary,

How many caps have you got for England?

How many do you think you deserved?

I’ll tell you…

F*CKIN’ NONE!!!

Lots of love, Noel Gallagher x

M.C.F.C

 

Posted: 10th, November 2014 | In: Manchester City, manchester united, Sports | Comment


Liverpool And Manchester City Balls: Photos of Mario Balotelli’s Post Fireworks Bathrrom

IN readiness for Bonfire Night, the The Daily Mail have obtained photos of Mario Balotelli’s bathroom – the one his friends (not him – no, not him) let off fireworks in. Then with Manchester City, now with Liverpool, Balotelli’s friends (no, not him – his friends) caused £400,000′s worth of damage to the £3 million-valued property in Mottram St Andrew, Cheshire.

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Posted: 1st, November 2014 | In: Liverpool, Manchester City, Sports | Comment


Transfer Balls: Sami Khedira Heads To Arsenal Before Moving To Manchester City And Back To Chelsea

Sami Khedira Arsenal

The Mirror says Khedira is a Gunner

 

TRANSFER Balls: Anorak’s look at football speculation passed off as sensation and fact. Let’s see ehat the mesi has been saying about Sami Khedira and his move from Real Madrid to Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City or anywhere else.

It sesm that Arsenal need Khedira most, with former Gunner Perry Groves (he of the Perry Groves world) quoted in the Evening Standard:

If Arsenal can get their injured players back while making sure the gap to the top doesn’t get too big with Chelsea and City then they have a chance to challenge for the title. If they can get to within six or seven points by the time the January transfer window opens and then sign Khedira, they could win it.”

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Posted: 31st, October 2014 | In: Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, manchester united, Sports | Comment


Manchester City Balls: Citizens Fan To Be Shock New Match of The Day Pundit

MANCHESTER City fan of the day is Harry Parrot.

Making Manchester United striker Radamel Falcao’s pet parrot Coco look monosyllabic, Harry can cheer on Manchester City with the best of them.

If Harry can add two more stock phrases to his repetoire, he can replace Jamie Redknapp on the Sky Sports sofa.

BBC TV Match of the Day pundits Robbie Savage and Alan Shearer are playing catch-up…

Spotter: Sky Sports

Posted: 30th, October 2014 | In: Manchester City, Sports | Comment


Transfer Balls: Arsenal’s Ozil To Manchester City And Other Beliefs

TRANSFER Balls: The Daily Express says “Mesut Ozil wants to quit Arsenal for Manchester City”.

Rally? He wants to leave Londron to plays for Manchester City?

City are set to launch a £32m bid for Ozil in January.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted: 25th, October 2014 | In: Arsenal, Manchester City, Sports | Comment


Manchester City Balls: Players Move In To Rooms Above The Shop

MANCHESTER City’s stars will soon be spending the night before home matches sleeping at the club’s new training ground, the £200 million “City Football Academy” (CFA).

The City players will be the Premier League’s first team to live above the shop.

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Posted: 17th, October 2014 | In: Manchester City, Sports | Comment


Transfer Balls: Manchester United’s Paul Pogba Dreams Of Arsenal, Wants Chelsea, Hunted By Liverpool But Moves To Manchester City

TRANSFER Balls: Is Paul Pogba heading to Manchester City. The Times says City are weighing up a move for the former Manchester United player, now with Juventus.

And he’s heading to the Etihad. Well, maybe:

Pogba, 21, has established himself as one of the top young players in Europe since leaving Manchester United for Turin two years ago and City are understood to have identified him as one of a number of possible midfield targets.

Such as…?

Ross Barkley is another option being considered by City, who inquired in June about the prospect of signing the Everton and England midfielder, only to be quoted a £50 million fee.

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Posted: 11th, October 2014 | In: Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, manchester united, Sports | Comment


Transfer Balls: Manchester City Feel Marco Reus As Arsenal Grope For Him

PA-20822920

 

TRANSFER Balls: Marco Reus, the Borussia Dortmund player, has been linked with Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea.

Let’s look at the latest reporting:

October 7, Daily Express:

Arsenal have [been] gazumped by Manchester City in the .

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Posted: 7th, October 2014 | In: Arsenal, Manchester City, Sports | Comment


Manchester United Will Sign Radamel Falcao As Soon As Manchester City Let Him Go

At least it means he'll buy a new shirt every year

At least it means he’ll buy a new shirt every year

 

CAN it be true that Manchester United have agreed to keep Radamel Falcao at the club – and that the player has accepted a weekly wage of £250,000, plus add ons?

And United will pay Monaco a tranfer fee of £43.5m?

The Press is full of news that the deal has been done. The Express reports:

Radamel Falcao has agreed personal terms over a £43.5m permanent transfer to Old Trafford. The Colombian striker is on a season-long loan deal from Monaco but he is keen to complete a full-time switch. United have agreed to pay Falcao £250,000-a-week plus add ons in a £43.5m deal.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted: 3rd, October 2014 | In: Manchester City, manchester united, Sports | Comment (1)


Transfer Balls: Edinson Cavani Joins Arsenal But Wanted Heavenly Manchester United

TRANSFER Balls: The Guardian looks at Arsenal and a top player and wonders aloud:

Football transfer rumours: Arsenal to end Edinson Cavani’s PSG hell?

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Posted: 2nd, October 2014 | In: Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, manchester united, Sports | Comment


Manchester City: Joe Hart Forgets The Wright Stuff

MANCHESTER City’s sweary Russ Abbott-look-alike goalkeeper, Joe Hart, is talking about competition for places:

“We’ve always had good goalkeepers since I’ve been here going back to David James, (Andreas) Isaksson, Kasper (Schmeichel), Shay Given, (Costel) Pantilimon and Stuart Taylor. It has always been a fight for me to keep my place.”

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Posted: 30th, September 2014 | In: Manchester City, Sports | Comment


Manchester United: Just another Chelsea

FOR a long time now, Manchester United fans have goaded other clubs for throwing their money around and buying various titles, accusing their rivals of having no soul.

Of course, ManYoo are no better, from their club-made banners that hang in the stadium to the very obvious huge sums of money they’ve thrown around themselves at their various squads. Sure, they’ve played some lads from the youth team, but that doesn’t make them any better than their competitors. In fact, in a lot of cases, they’ve spent more money that the rivals they mock.

This year, we saw Man Utd spend 18% of ALL the money forked out by Premier League clubs in this summer’s transfer window.

The club splashed £59.7m on Angel di Maria from Real Madrid alone, while in the meantime, selling off two promising young strikers from their squad in Welbeck and Hernandez. Even in Falcao, a mere loan player, Man Utd will be paying him more money than Wayne Rooney earns. Falcao will be getting more money from Old Trafford bosses than Arsenal will pay Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil combined.

And now, former Manchester United defender Phil Neville thinks that the club need another spending spree, with a £100 million-plus blurt required if they’re going to challenge for the league title.

With new manager Louis van Gaal throwing money around like a new lottery winner on Di Maria, Luke Shaw, Ander Herrera, Marcos Rojo, Daley Blind and Radamel Falcao, Neville thinks that there’s more cash to be spent.

“I know United have spent £150m,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live. “I think there’s another two transfer windows of similar amounts of money needed – maybe £100m – before they can even think about winning the title. There are still key positions in the team that need filling. I think the centre-back position is obviously the key area. Holding midfield or centre midfield needs addressing too.”

‘There were no world-class centre backs out there (this summer). I think that’s why in the next two transfer windows, United might still be looking for that world-class defender.”

Of course, there’s a number of fans who will love this, because a maintainable business model or the heart of a club don’t matter when all you’re concerned about is numbers and trophies. It must stick in the craw of older Man United fans who see their fellow fans concerning themselves only with how many trophies the club have and how much money they can spend.

There’s Manchester United fans who sing to smaller teams “We’ve got a stand that’s bigger than your ground”, or supporters who mock Arsenal for their lack of trophies. A product of the ‘football is a results business’ rhetoric, which is making many elements of professional football so achingly tedious, Manchester United, naturally, does have a heart and soul, just like Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City & Co, but it has been swallowed by short memories and overdrafts.

The Top 5 Mentality is the single most tedious facet of modern football, with more games happening each weekend that aren’t even in the Premier League. Manchester United’s fans who define their love by success are, whether they like it or not, the thing they level against hooting Liverpool fans who bleat on about the 70s and 80s, and the thing they berate Chelsea and Manchester City for.

And now, in the post Ferguson years, Manchester United fans are finding out, or being reminded, that reputation and cheque books count for nothing and that, you better find something else to love and enjoy about football because, without the success, you’ll have nothing to cheer about.

At Old Trafford, the young players aren’t valued like they were, the club is getting into dangerous debt, managers are binned off without completing a season and it doesn’t look like the rot in the boardroom is being protected from the people who are required to get results on match day.

It’s easy to tell yourself you’ve heart and soul when you’ve got a club that has the money to design it and implement it for you…

Posted: 23rd, September 2014 | In: Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, manchester united, Sports | Comment