Atletico Madrid: Talks To Begin With City Over Aguero

Atletico Madrid have confirmed that talks will begin discussions with Manchester City over a possible transfer for Sergio Aguero within the next 48 hours. Mancini has made it no secret that he would like to sign the striker with Carlos Tevez expected to leave Eastlands before the season starts.

Mancini is keen to find a replacement for their striker whose move to Brazilian side Corinthians collapsed early this week.  Despite this blow to the player the manager still expects Tevez leave this summer.

Mancini has also insisted that should Tevez remain at City, he would still like to sign Aguero. The Atletico striker has made it clear he would like to leave and that he is interested in a move to City.

The Italian believes signing Aguero would be a great addition to City and is keen to sign striker.

"Aguero is young and can start to score a lot. He will become a top striker. He is 23 and now is his time," he said.

"He is like Carlos Tevez and could play with Carlos, or Edin Dzeko or Mario Balotelli.

"He can play as first striker or second striker. He has good technique. After many years in a top club like Atletico Madrid he can play Premier League.

"Aguero is a good player, like Samir Nasri, like Cesc Fabregas, like Robin van Persie - there are a lot of good players in England."

Image Credit Flickr User Monijojo

Barcelona Sign Alexis Sanchez

Barcelona have confirmed the signing of Alexis Sanchez from Udinese, the Catalan giants had been in pursuit of the Chilean for a while and have finally got their man after weeks of negiotations.

Sanchez has agreed personal terms and signed a five-year contract, Barcelona will pay an €26million with an additional €11.5million in add-ons.

Barcelona will officially unveil the player at the Nou Camp this weekend.
Could Barcelona now be set to up their chase for Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas now they have signed Sanchez?

Barca: Arsenal Fabregas Demands To High

Barcelona president Sandro Rosell has claimed the club will not pay over the odds for Cesc Fabregas; the Nou Camp giants had hoped to bring the Spaniard back to Barcelona but will not pay an extortionate fee for the midfielder.

Fabregas has again been linked with a return to his boyhood club this summer after Arsenal refused to sell the midfielder to Barca 12 months ago, Arsenal Chairman Peter Hill-Wood revealed over the weekend that the Catalan giants had been in contact regarding Cesc.

"He (Cesc) is doing everything he can to come (here)," Rosell told Catalan station TV3 on Monday night.
"Guardiola knows the values of players and Cesc's is less than €40million. Barcelona will offer less and if they (Arsenal) don't accept, then he won't come. Pep knows the club is not well-off in terms of money."

Elsewhere Barca were expected to be closing in of the signing of highly rated forward Alexis Sanchez, but Rosell said; "There is nothing closed with Alexis.”

It was also revealed that Eric Abidal has rejected a new deal at Barcelona and is expected to leave the Champions League winners, Rosell also claimed that his relationship with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez were "on standby" after their failure to act against doping allegations aimed at Barca last season by radio station Cadena COPE.

"I haven't spoken to Florentino Perez since the last game (against Madrid)," he said.

"My relationship with him is on standby because there are wounds that are still not closed and that need to scar."

Barcelona Enquire About Fabregas

Barcelona have made contract with Arsenal regarding Cesc Fabregas, the Catalans have always expressed their desire to bring the Spaniard back home But no bid made yet from Spanish giants for Arsenal midfielder.

Fabregas has been linked with a move back to the Nou Camp for the last two seasons and after the Gunners failure to win any silverware, could the midfielder be tempted to go back to the club he joined as a youngster.

The Spanish giants remain keen to sign Fabregas and are ready to make a new move this summer, although Hill-Wood insists they have yet to make a bid for the 24-year-old.

"Yes, they have spoken to us about Cesc," said Peter Hill-Wood.

Arsenal’s chairman also added; "They have been in touch. But so far they have not made a bid and we do not want to let him go.

"But he comes from Barcelona so it is understandable if he wanted to go back. However, they have not made an offer so far."

Arsenal are expected to be busy in the transfer market this summer and Hill-Wood insists Arsene Wenger will have funds to spend.

"There is money for the manager," added Hill-Wood.

Will the Gunners ace head back home?

Johan Cruyff Urges Barcelona To Sign Fabregas

Dutch and Barcelona legend Johan Cruyff has insisted that Barcelona should pull out all the stops to sign Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas, for sometime the Catalans have been unsuccessful in persuading the Spaniard to return the club.

The Catalans are eager to add to their ranks this summer and have been linked with players such as Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas, Villarreal's Giuseppe Rossi and Udinese attacker Alexis Sanchez.

Cruyff believes signing the Gunners star, 24, would mean midfield stars Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta and Xavi can be kept fresher during the season.

Johan Cruyff said; "If Cesc signs there will be four players for three places, which means all of them can share out a lot of games.

"There comes a stage in the season when everything is at stake but the team is out of gas.
"As good as the Barca players are - and they are good - there comes a time where they've played too many games.

"You need players not only to strengthen competition but also to move things around without upsetting the team's rhythm."

Viral video by ebuzzing

AC Milan Rule Out Fabregas Move

AC Milan has insisted that they are unlikely to make a offer for Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas this summer as the Italian claim feel the Spaniard will be to expensive, after the departure of Andrea Pirlo to Juventus and doubt surrounding Gennaro Gattuso’s future it is thought that the Rossoneri will be searching for midfield replacments this summer.

"From here until 31st August, Milan will buy a player that will be a left midfielder," Galliani told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"(Napoli  winger Marek) Hamsik and Fabregas can play in that role.

"We have never asked for Hamsik although we don't rule him out and as for Fabregas, he is too expensive."

Cesc Fabregas Clarifies His Future

Arsenal Captain Cesc Fabregas has again reiterated that he wants to remain at the Emirates at least until he has helped the club win silverware. The Spaniard was at the centre of speculation after last year’s World Cup when reports suggested that he could head home to play for a Spanish side.

"Why would I want to leave? It is fantastic here," Fabregas said. "It would be a dream to lift trophies for Arsenal. It has always been my wish.

"Afterwards you can always be attracted by something else, like a new objective, or new challenges because, for me, life is all about challenges.

"But my real challenge as captain of Arsenal is to bring this football club success. This is the biggest dream I can have. I want to end these five years without a trophy and, hopefully, I can do it this season."

Fabregas was accused of not pulling his weight earlier in the season after the Gunners refused to let him go to Barca last summer.

But the 23-year-old skipper said; "It hurt me a lot to be injured and then hear some things, that my head was not here and my heart was somewhere else.

"I often played when I wasn't 100 per cent and it is painful to hear that kind of thing when you have worked so hard for this club and when you give everything for them."

Fabregas to Return at Old Trafford

Cesc aiming for United game

Arsenal Captain Cesc Fabregas hopes to return to action in time for the game against Manchester United game on December 13th.  The midfielder has been sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained against Braga in the Uefa Champions League game two weeks ago.

The inspirational captain is close to regaining full fitness and sees the Manchester United fixture as his return, Arsenal has failed to win at Old Trafford since 2006 and Fabregas will want to help change thatblot on their copybook.

Speaking in the Sunday People newspaper, he said; "I'm happy to say everything is going according to plan with my rehabilitation.

"We've tried some new treatments and hopefully they can make a difference.

"My hamstrings are feeling good, and my body feels good and rested.

"The Manchester United  game is the target, so hopefully we can make it happen."

Wenger keen to sign new deal

Arsene Wenger in mulling over a new deal offered to him by Arsenal, the 60 year old embarks on a new campaign starting at Liverpool this weekend is looking for their first trophy since 2005 and first Premier League title for seven seasons has stated he has a commitment to the Gunners and will be sorting out the finer details before signing. Wenger who successfully managed to keep hold of his captain Cesc Fabregas this summer who was subjected to numerous offers from Barcelona is looking to commit long term.

Wenger has announced before that he would like to finish his career off at Arsenal and now having been offered a longer deal, Arsene looks set to sign the contract within the next few weeks. Wenger also wouldn't be drawn in on whether he will make another offer for Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, having his initial bid being rejected by the Cottagers.

FOOTBALL: Cesc Fabregas commits to Arsenal

Cesc Fabregas has today confirmed that he will be staying at Arsenal this season, after much speculation surrounding Cesc's future and Arsenal have already rejected two offers from Barcelona for their captain. The Catalans launched a last-ditch bid of forty two million pounds.

Manager Arsene Wenger had been desperate in recent days for Fabregas to commit himself to Arsenal before the season and Cesc has today issued a statement saying,

"Firstly I would like to apologise to all the Arsenal fans for not speaking sooner about my future but I have not known what I was going to do until this moment.

"I cannot deny that joining a club like Barcelona was not an attractive move for me.

"This was the club where I learnt my football, it is my home town where my friends and family are and a club where I have always dreamed of playing.

"There are not many players in the world who would not want to play for Barcelona.

"I have had many conversations with Arsene Wenger both in person and over the phone over the last few months and although the content of those conversations will remain private, the conclusion is that Barcelona have had two formal offers rejected by Arsenal.

"I am a professional and I fully understand that it is Arsenal's prerogative not to sell me.

"I owe a lot to the club, manager and the fans and I will respect their decision and will now concentrate on the new season ahead with Arsenal.

"I can assure all the fans that now the negotiations have ended I will be 100 per cent focused on playing for Arsenal.

"I am an Arsenal player and as soon as I step out on to the pitch, that is the only club I will be thinking about.

"I am looking forward to the start of the season and putting this speculation behind me."

FOOTBALL: WENGER: Fabregas will stay

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has fiercely denied that Cesc Fabregas is going to Barcelona, Cesc has been surrounded by much speculation that he will return back to home at Barcelona this summer, but Wenger has all along denied that he will sell his captain.

Arsene Wenger told the clubs official website, (www.arsenal.com) "It is only noise. In our job we have to deal with what we can master. What we cannot influence is not to worry about," Wenger told Arsenal's website (www.arsenal.com).

"He is a very important player for us, he is our captain and we have worked very hard (for him) to be the future of our team and that is why we are always adamant about not letting him go."