Socrates Dies Aged 57

Former Brazilian captain Socrates had died in hospital when being admitted for food poisoning after eating a meal at a hotel. The hospital then placed the midfielder in intensive care after it was discovered he had suffered septic shock resulting from an intestinal infection in which bacteria from an infection seeps into the bloodstream and spreads throughout the body.

The idol of the 1982 World Cup had been rushed to hospital on Thursday, it was the third time Socrates has been taken to hospital since August when he spent nine days there due to a digestive haemorrhage caused by excessive drinking.

Socrates who racked up 60 caps for his country scoring 22 goals, played for Brazil at the 1982 and 1986 World Cups.

The bearded, lanky Socrates, a leading player of his era played alongside fellow midfielder Zico.

Socrates spent most of career at Brazilian side Corinthians, with spells with Botafogo, Fiorentina, Flamengo and Santos, while in 2004 he famously came out of retirement at the age of 50 to make a one-off substitute appearance for English lower-league side Garforth Town.

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

Carlos Tevez Deal To Corinthians Collapses

Image Credit Flickr User Alfonso Jimimez

Carlos Tevez proposed £40million transfer to Corinthians has collapsed after the Brazilian side pulled out of the deal. The Argentine player has expressed his desire to leave Manchester City to be closer to his family and the £40million price tag would only be available to Corinthians on humanitarian grounds so Tevez could be closer to his family.

However, the Brazilian transfer window closes on July 20^th, making it impossible to sign players based abroad before it closes today.

"The board of Sporting Club Corinthians hereby officially announce the impossibility of hiring the Argentine striker Carlos Tevez," said the statement.

"While acknowledging the efforts of Manchester City and all involved in the negotiation, more time is needed for the transfer to be achieved, given that the window to sign players from abroad closes on Wednesday, July 20

"We are aware of the dream our fans had of having this player at Corinthians again and we look forward to him being with us in the near future."

Corinthians are still interested in the player, but it seems no deal with be done until the January transfer window which will allow time for negotiating on personal terms.

Tevez is back home following Argentina's Copa America exit, City are keen to lure fellow countryman Sergio Aguero to the club and provide even more competition for places. But after the collapse of Tevez transfer could this spell the end Aguero pursuit and Tevez remain at Eastlands?

Image Credit Flickr User Globovision