Real Madrid Offer Player Swap Deal In Pursuit of Wantaway Man City Striker Sergio Aguero

Real Madrid are ready to offer experienced keeper Iker Casillas as part of a deal to sign Man City striker Sergio Aguero, a player Football Direct News claims wants a move back to Spain.

Etihad Stadium boss Manuel Pellegrini has been linked with an interest in 32 year old custodian Casillas, who he worked with during his one season in charge at the Bernabeu, and hence the option of the World Cup winner being part of a cash plus player swap deal could be amenable to the Chilean.

Aguero has been in fine form this term though has suffered with injuries of late and with his other forwards more than coping with the demands perhaps Pellegrini would consider such a switch.

Pellegrini dropped England international Joe Hart earlier in the season though he has since shown a real return to form so it’s a tad surprising that Man City would still be tracking Casillas.

Casillas was frozen out of first team action under Jose Mourinho last term and has continued to warm the bench during Carlo Ancelotti’s reign.

Liverpool supremo has his say on Suarez to Manchester City rumours

After reports claimed Manchester City would bid big for Luis Suarez this summer, Liverpool's Ian Ayre has had his say.

Liverpool fans woke up this morning to reports claiming Manchester City were ready to make what the Sunday Times called “a huge investment” to bring Luis Suarez to the Etihad Stadium.

Given that the two sides are currently fighting it out along with Chelsea for the Premier League title – and with Liverpool just a week away from facing the Blues in what could prove to be a title-decider – the timing of the story is interesting.

But Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre has now had his say on the rumours in an interview with BBC Radio Five.

In an interview later published by the Manchester Evening News, Ayre is quoted as saying, “All the conjecture which went around last summer leading up to the January transfer window was dispelled by the fact he signed a new contract.

“I think when you have a player like Luis, that is going to be a perennial issue.

“The important thing is we remain committed together. We have supported Luis through thick and thin and he has done the same by signing up to a new long-term contract recently.

“We would expect that to continue, but we’d also expect people to come in and rattle our cage every transfer window.”

So is this what City are reportedly on the verge of doing – rattling a cage that shows no signs of giving way?

Quite possibly, because even if the reports are true why would Suarez swap Liverpool – title-contenders and soon-to-be Champions League participants – for City, who are exactly the same in those two regards.

Money may always play a part in the game, but having put pen to paper on a new deal that will see him more than looked after at Anfield, we cannot see Suarez swapping red for blue, or for any other club in this country for that matter.

Liverpool are on the up, and Suarez is just one of the reasons for that fact.

What do you think of the rumours regarding Suarez and City?

Liverpool and AC Milan eye Micah Richards

AC Milan are ready to battle Liverpool for Micah Richards this summer.

Richards, 25, is expected to leave Manchester City after rejecting a new five-year deal earlier this season. It will bring to an end his 13-year association with the club he joined as a schoolboy in 2001.

A combination of injuries and the form of Pablo Zabaleta has seen the former Academy graduate reduced to a bit-part player .

Richards’ present deal expires at the end of next season and City will look to cash in this summer, rather than allowing the right-back to leave for free.

Milan have sounded out the player’s representatives about a switch to Serie A after getting a recommendation from his former City team-mate Mario Balotelli.

However, Liverpool still have Richards on their wish-list after a loan bid was rejected in January.

City gossip: Suarez, Richards, Porto pair

Duncan Castles writes in The Sunday Times that City are prepared to make a "huge investment" in Liverpool striker Luis Suarez to sign him this summer. The article says that Txiki Begiristain has identified Suarez as his main target with the knowledge that Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko could leave. Liverpool's managing director Ian Ayre has since rubbished the report.

The Sunday Mirror write that Micah Richards has attracted the interest of both AC Milan and Liverpool and both will battle it out to sign the player at the end of the season. The full-back's current deal at the Etihad expires in 2015.

Sami Mokbel in the Daily Mail says that City are closing on £20m-rated Porto defender Eliaquim Mangala. The Blues were after the player in January but were unwilling to meet the asking price.

And Jason Burt in the Telegraph claims that City will snap up Mangala AND Fernando - for £41m. Fernando signed a new contract with the Portuguese side in February.

If Gareth Barry wants to move to Everton next season he will have to take a significant pay cut. The midfielder has enjoyed himself at Goodison Park in this campaign but his wages have been subsidised by City.

Manchester City close to signing Porto pair for £41m

Manchester City are closing in on deals to sign Porto pair Eliaquim Mangala and Fernando for a combined fee of £41 million.

City, who maintained their Premier Leaguetitle challenge yesterday with a 4-1 win over Southampton, attempted to acquire both players at the end of the January transfer window but the deals could not be completed in time. However, City’s director of football, Txiki Begiristain, is understood to have continued the negotiations.

The deal to sign Mangala, a rangy 23-year-old central defender who is a France international, is the most progressed, with sources in Portugal claiming yesterday that the fee could be as high as £29 million.

With Joleon Lescott out of contract and leaving this summer, and Martin Demichelis, at 33, signed as a stop-gap, City are keen to strengthen the centre of defence to provide competition for Matija Nastasic as a regular partner to captain Vincent Kompany.

Mangala has been strongly linked to Chelsea in the past but their acquisition of Kurt Zouma for £12.5 million on January deadline day, before loaning him back to St Etienne, was an acknowledgement that they were looking elsewhere.

Fernando’s agent has hinted that the holding midfielder could join City, after a move for him also stalled in January, and the player is expected to command a fee of around £12.4 million.

The 26-year-old signed a new contract at Porto in February, with his previous deal running out at the end of this season, but that appeared only to be a measure to preserve his transfer value. There were also suggestions that Fernando, a Brazilian who is a naturalised Portuguese, was told he would be frozen out of the first team if he did not sign.

Fernando’s deal ties him to Porto until 2017 with a buy-out clause thought to be £25 million but the likelihood is that he will be sold for significantly less. If he does arrive at City it will raise questions over the futures of Jack Rodwell, who is expected to return to Everton, and Javi Garcia.

City’s win over Southampton was aided by a serious mistake by assistant referee Michael McDonough, which allowed Samir Nasri to give them a 2-1 lead.

Man City ready to make "huge investement" in Luis Suarez

Manchester City have made Luis Suarez their top summer transfer market and believe that a "huge investment" will be enough to lure Liverpool's star striker away from Anfield in time for next season, according to the Sunday Times.

Suarez has been nothing short of sensational for Liverpool this season, scoring 29 goals in 27 Premier League games, but that fantastic form only came after a turbulent summer where the Uruguay forward lodged a very public transfer request.

Liverpool managed to rebuff interest from Arsenal last summer but are set for another fierce fight to keep their best player during the close season, despite Suarez signing a new contract in December which commits his future to the club until 2018.

City's director of football Txiki Begiristain has a strong working relationship with Suarez's agent and is anxious that Sergio Aguero or Edin Dzeko could ask to leave the Etihad this summer, with work started on a swoop for their replacement as a contingency.

Begiristain is confident of making a mega-money move for Suarez and thinks there is a release clause if Suarez's new deal that can pave the way for a shock Premier League switch, although Real Madrid are also believed to be very interested in signing a top-class centre forward ahead of next season.

Reds boss Brendan Rodgers has held firm in his stance over Suarez ever since taking charge on Merseyside, but this summer promises to be the sternest test of that outlook despite the title contenders almost certainly securing a return to Champions League football.

Liverpool lead Man City in race for Real Madrid star

Liverpool could beat Manchester City to the summer signature of Real Madrid left-back Fabio Coentrao, according to reports from the Sunday People.

The Portuguese defender looks set to leave Los Blancos after a difficult season in which he has only made seven La Liga appearances.

Coentrao came close to joining Manchester United on loan last year, yet the deal fell through, but he is rumoured to be more than willing to make a switch to the Premier League this time around.

Liverpool have now emerged as prime candidates for his signature, with the Merseysiders understood to have been in contact with his agent, Jorge Mendes.

The Reds are said to have discussed a potential deal, and plans for a bid are at an advanced stage.

City are also keen, but it is unclear as to whether or not the 26-year-old is a top target.

Real are set to demand around £11.5m for their man, which is a figure Brendan Rodgers may be willing to stretch to in a bid to solve his current left-back problems.

Tottenham could also revive their interest after baulking at his £15m valuation in 2013.

Man City Attempt Audacious Move to Sign Chelsea Youngster Goalkeeper

Man City are reportedly interested in Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois though it appears the Belgian may be set for another season on loan at Atletico Madrid according to Football Direct News.

The 21 year old custodian is into his third season at the Vicente Calderon and is yet to represent Chelsea in a single senior fixture and with Jose Mourinho seemingly happy to retain the services of Petr Cech as his number one it would appear Courtois isn’t likely to return to Stamford Bridge any time soon.

This source claims that Courtois’s ‘understanding’ with national team colleague Vincent Kompany has led Man City to consider a move for the youngster

A move for Courtois would be a little surprising given the fine form displayed by England man Joe Hart in recent months, the 26 year old keeping five clean sheets in his past six Premier League starts.

Inter target Nilton and Javi Garcia

Inter are said to be targeting Cruzeiro midfielder Nilton or Manchester City’s Javi Garcia this summer.

Sky Sport Italia claim Javi Garcia could be convinced to leave the Citizens in order to be given more regular playing time.

He has just eight Premier League starts this term and would fit tactically into Walter Mazzarri’s system.

The 27-year-old Spain international had already been linked with a possible move to Napoli and his price-tag is approximately £14m (€16m).

He only joined from Benfica in August 2012 and is a product of the Real Madrid youth academy.

Reports emerged in the Brazilian media suggesting a deal is practically done to bring Nilton to San Siro.

He’ll turn 27 later this month and scored seven goals in 30 appearances for Cruzeiro last season.

There is believed to be a €5.5m buy-out clause in his contract, but Inter face competition from the likes of Valencia, Roma, Milan and Lille.

“Nilton is on the radar of the top European clubs, which is normal considering he won the Brazilian League and was voted one of the best players of last season,” said agent Wagner Ribeiro.

“There is interest, but no club has come forward with a proposal yet, especially because the Brazilian transfer window is closed.

“I have had meetings with all the top European clubs and always sponsor Nilton as one of the best players in Brazil.”

Manchester City join race to sign Radamel Falcao

Last summer AS Monaco splashed the cash to get Radamel Falcao on board, but everyone always thought the Colombian striker might not stay in the principality for too long.

Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and plenty of other super wealthy clubs have been lining up bids for Falcao this season, now Manchester City want in.

According to a report from the Manchester Evening News, City’s director of football Txiki Begiristain met with Falcao’s representatives in Madrid earlier this week with a view to signing the 28-year-old.

Monaco signed Falcao for $75 million from Atletico Madrid at the start of this season, and the lethal striker is currently recovering from an ACL injury which has put his appearance at this summer’s World Cup in jeopardy.

Ask yourself this question: do Man City really need another world class striker? Their answer, probably, ‘you can never have enough.’

With Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko, Stevan Jovetic and Alvaro Negredo on board, it is hard to see where Falcao will fit in. However Manuel Pellegrini has had to play many games without first-choice striker Aguero this campaign, as the Argentine has played in 28 games and has scored 26 times. Dzeko and Negredo have both been able back ups, with the former netting 20 times for the Citizens and the latter scoring 26 times. However both have gone though lean spells — Negredo has currently gone 11 games without a goal — and the injury-hit start to Jovetic’s career has seen the Citizens looking a little thin up top.

If Falcao decides to switch Ligue 1 contenders Monaco for the Premier League, many thought Chelsea were his favored team. But if City come calling with astronomical wages and match Monaco’s asking price, it will be hard for the Colombian hot-shot to turn down a move to the Etihad. If that does happen, Falcao and Aguero would be one of the deadliest partnerships in world soccer.

Imagine that.

(Picture) Potential New Manchester City Shirt Leaked

The design for City’s 2014/15 shirt has made it on to the internet.

A picture of what could be Manchester City’s new shirt for next season has been leaked online.

The shirt is still made by Nike and has built on this season’s classy design adding a darker blue trim to the sleeves.

Of course, this has yet to be confirmed as the new shirt, but the folks over at footyheadlines.com have released it anyway.

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Manchester City Close In On Mangala

Manchester City are closing in on a £20million deal for Porto defender Eliaquim Mangala.

City’s sporting director, who finalises transfer deals, was in Portugal on Thursday evening to watch the centre back in action in the Europa League.

According to the Mirror, he is also in contact with chiefs at Porto attempting to push through a deal which will see the 23-year-old join the Etihad at the end of the season.

City boss Manuel Pellegrini has been chasing Mangala throughout the season and came close to joining the club in a £38million double swoop with teammate Fernando in the January but the deal fell through in the final stages.

Pellegrini is looking to offload Joleon Lescott and speculation has emerged that Martin Demichelis could leave at the end of the season.

It will come as a blow for Chelsea who were looking to secure a deal for Mangala after the World Cup.

Transfer news: Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott a target for Besiktas

Besiktas director of football Onder Ozen has admitted that Joleon Lescott remains one of the players they are considering for a summer move. 

Lescott’s contract at Manchester City only runs until the end of the season and, having not yet been offered an extension, he has previously conceded that he expects to be on his way out.

The defender, who has played a limited role at the Etihad Stadium under Manuel Pellegrini, has also stated in the past that he would be open to a move abroad if it is right for his family.

Besiktas have been credited with an interest in Lescott for some time and Ozen has confirmed that Lescott is still a possible target, although they do not want to discuss their plans in too much detail at this stage.

“Lescott is still on our transfer wish list," Ozen said, quoted in The Sun.

"Everything will become clear at the end of the season, players will be leaving and arriving but I don't want to disclose too much information yet."

Napoli target Manchester City defender

Napoli are plotting a surprise summer raid on Manchester City for Martin Demichelis, according to Tuttosport.

City are expected to splash out on a top-quality young centre-back this summer - Porto’s Eliaquim Mangala is their primary target - and that could mean error-prone Demichelis will be allowed to leave the Etihad.

The 33-year-old arrived in Manchester in a £4.2m deal from Atletico Madrid last September, linking up with his former Malaga boss Manuel Pellegrini.

Demichelis has gone on to make 27 appearances for City but he has made several high-profile mistakes and has been made the scapegoat for some of their defeats this season.

However, that has not deterred the interest of Napoli boss Rafa Benitez, who is reportedly keen to sign the formerBayern Munich man in a cut-price deal later this year.