Chelsea going after Milner Chelsea have entered into a bidding war with Manchester City for Aston Villa midfielder James Milner. The Premier League's two richest clubs will battle it out for the signature of the versatile England man, hoping the added lure of Champions League football will tempt him away from Villa Park. City have returned with an improved £30 million offer after their initial £20m bid was rejected out of hand by Villa, who are keen to tie the 24-year-old to a new contract as soon as possible, and Chelsea will match that, confident their extra allure will see him head south down the M40. Newly-crowned double winners Chelsea lost out to City in recruiting Brazil forward Robinho two years ago, and they are determined not to be gazumped again. A club 'insider' said: "Losing out to City for Robinho was an embarrassment at the time, even if it did turn out to be a lucky escape. "But we are determined to get our man this time and we are very confident it will happen." (The Sun) Other News - When City's football administrator Brian Marwood approached Villa to inquire about Milner's availability, he also asked about signing Ashley Young. Young, also 24, has seen himself drop right out of the England picture since Fabio Capello took over, and could be tempted into making the move in order to boost his England chances. However, with the glut of midfielders City already have at their disposal, plus potentially Milner too, Young would not make anywhere near the 49 appearances he notched up for Villa last term. (Guardian). - Tottenham Hotspur are prepared to use Robbie Keane and Jermaine Jenas as makeweights in a deal to bring Young to North London. Keane has been told he does not have a future at White Hart Lane after spending the last few months on loan at Celtic, while Jenas has only made half a dozen appearances for Spurs since the turn of the year. (Daily Star) - If that doesn't happen, Newcastle United are hoping to bring Jenas back to the club to boost their squad for their return to the Premier League. Jenas swapped St James' Park for White Hart Lane in 2005 in a £7m move after making over 150 appearances for the Magpies. Toon boss Chris Hughton worked with Jenas while he was assistant boss at Spurs, and hopes to tempt him back up to the North East in a £5m transfer. (The Sun) - Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill is himself reportedly eyeing up a move for Eidur Gudjohnsen. The former Chelsea forward spent the latter part of last season on loan at Tottenham, who have as yet not asked to renew the deal with Monaco. That could open the door for Villa to swoop for the Iceland international, especially if Stoke City succeed in poaching Emile Heskey from them this summer. (The Sun) - West Ham United hope to make Burnley striker Steven Fletcher their first signing once Avram Grant has been installed as manager. The 23-year-old impressed for the Clarets last term, although his 12 goals could not prevent them from being relegation. Birmingham City and Wolverhampton Wanderers are also interested, but the former Hibernian striker is thought to be favouring a move to London. Blues boss Alex McLeish is also interested in Cardiff striker Jay Bothroyd, whether the Bluebirds are promoted via the play-offs or not. (Daily Mirror) - Robert Pires has turned down a move to MLS outfit Philadelphia Union, and in the process made sure he can never set foot in the City of Brotherly Love. The Villarreal winger said: "I don't want to be fussy but if I have to go far away with my family, I prefer to do it in a beautiful town." Ouch. (The Sun) - Europa Cup champions Atletico Madrid warn Manchester United off a move for striker Sergio Aguero, insisting the Argentina international is not for sale. -Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood says Arsenal have yet to receive an official approach from Barcelona for midfielder Cesc Fabregas and says the club do not want to lose the Spain international. - Read Madrid are eyeing a move for Athletic Bilbao midfielder Javi Martinez, with chairman Florentino Perez prepared to pay the Basque club 30m Euros (£26,087m) to buy out the 21-year-old's contract. -Bayern Munich playmaker Franck Ribery will stay at the German club for another four years, extending his contract until 2015, according to German newspaper Bild. -West Ham have been linked with an ambitious £12m swoop for World Cup-bound Toulouse forward Andre-Pierre Gignac. -Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has his eye on Real Madrid's Brazilian superstar striker Kaka. - Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure will not be arriving at the Emirates stadium after refusing to consider the move, leaving Manchester City favourites to sign him. - Everton hope to tie down midfielder Jack Rodwell to a new deal and ward of interest from Chelsea and Manchester United.
"- When City's football administrator Brian Marwood approached Villa to inquire about Milner's availability, he also asked about signing Ashley Young. Young, also 24, has seen himself drop right out of the England picture since Fabio Capello took over, and could be tempted into making the move in order to boost his England chances. However, with the glut of midfielders City already have at their disposal, plus potentially Milner too, Young would not make anywhere near the 49 appearances he notched up for Villa last term. (Guardian). " nonsense young would immediately be our best option at bellamy's soon-to-be open position and i dunno about the yaya toure deal - he refused us once already and we have a really good defensive midfielder on roster
a couple of other notes Man City is prepping a second bid for Ronaldhino. Price looks to be 10-15M Chelsea, Man U and Tottenham are looking at Huntaleer. Price is set a 16M
very curious to see if we sell kaka if chelsea really makes the huge offer they are being rumored to. honestly these rumors are out of hand supposedly we are selling benzema, higuain, kaka, lass. would like to see us unload alonso if possible.
Interesting to see that about Toure. Probably a combo of Arsenal already having Song and wanting to play with his brody.
Would love to see you unload all of those guys and watch them tear shit up again ala Robben and Sneijder.
Real Madrid have rejected the chance to sign Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Marca says immediately after Barca had landed Valencia striker David Villa, Ibra's agent, Mino Raiola, was told of the club's intentions to sell the Swede. Raiola immediately started contacting potential new employers - including Real. At Madrid, Raiola's approach was greeted with astonishment and the prompt reply of: "Thanks, but no thanks." http://www.tribalfootball.com/barcelona-striker-ibrahimovic-offered-real-madrid-854681