Liverpool and Arsenal battling it out for Milner

The Gunners will hold talks with City this week as they prepare to lodge a £10m offer, according to reports.

But Liverpool want Milner too and are weighing up whether to lodge a firm bid for the England international.

Milner reportedly told City last month that he was frustrated with his fringe role at the club.

He has started less than half of City's game since moving from Aston Villa in 2010 - and just 12 of 38 this season.

City are under the pump to meet Uefa and Premier League home-grown player quotas and want Milner to sign a new four-year contract.

However, he would rather leave on a free when his current deal ends, at the end of next season, than pen an extension.

But interested suitors will want to move fast.

Milner is currently preparing for this summer's World Cup and Roy Hodgson has ordered all his Three Lions stars to nail down their futures before flying out to Miami on June 1.

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Agent : Toure could leave City

Yaya Toure is considering the possibility of leaving Manchester City because he feels "disrespected" by the club, according to the player's agent.

Dimitri Seluk claims his client is weighing up his future after no one wished him a happy birthday at a club event in Abu Dhabi on May 13 to celebrate City's Premier League title win.

City, however, may well be inclined to take Seluk's latest comments with a pinch of salt, given that he has suggested that Toure could leave the club in each of the last two seasons.
"There is a big possibility Yaya will leave this summer. He is very upset. What happened at his birthday means the club don't care about him. It was proof," Seluk told The Sun.

"They can say whatever they want, 'Oh we like him but we forgot'. Forgot? About Yaya? The player who helped you to be two-times Premier League champions? The guy who helped you win the FA Cup and League Cup?

"In a normal team, his team-mates and club would at least give him good wishes. But when you win the title and two days later you have a big party to celebrate the title and nobody comes to Yaya to say happy birthday, what more do you want?"

It remains to be seen whether Seluk is true to his word, or potentially chasing a new and improved contract for Toure, who has completed one year of a four-year deal agreed last summer.

Seluk was quoted in March 2013 as claiming 'only Roberto Mancini respects Yaya', although the Ivory Coast international has stayed on at the club under new manager Manuel Pellegrini, and has performed superbly over an extended period of time.

But Seluk warned: "If a player like Yaya went to Liverpool and they won the league for the first time in 24 years, Yaya would be a god in Liverpool.

"But at City, Yaya is no hero. He's nobody. That's how the club make him feel. He's very upset and he started thinking about leaving the club. And he will leave if things carry on like this.

"We're not doing this for more money. We probably can go for less money to another club. If they think they can buy everything, they are wrong. I think these people don't care. Only stupid people would want Yaya to leave."

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Mangala: I would rather join Chelsea than Manchester City

Eliaquim Mangala has dealt a blow to Manchester City's hopes of securing a deal for the £35m-rated Porto defender by claiming he would rather sign for Chelsea.

The France international had been close to moving to the Etihad Stadium in January when City attempted to complete a double move for the 23-year-old centre-half and Brazilian midfielder Fernando.

Manchester United and Paris St Germain have also pursued Mangala, but City had appeared to be favourites to sign the player, despite accepting a £49million fine from Uefa last week for falling foul of Financial Fair Play regulations.

However, in an interview with Bein Sports, Mangala has now admitted that he favours a move to Chelsea because he would rather play in London.

"City or Chelsea? Chelsea because it is London,” Mangala said, when asked which club he would prefer to play for.

"It is true that I love the Premier League because it is a spectacular championship. In January, there were discussions with City, but it fell through because the two clubs could not reach an agreement.

"Every player wants to play in the biggest clubs. I am an ambitious player and the team that can help me win titles is the one that interests me."

With Mangala now preparing for the World Cup after being named in Didier Deschamps’ France squad, he has insisted that he will put his club future on hold until after the tournament in Brazil.

"My goal now is the World Cup,” Mangala said. “We will see what happens after that. I told Jorge Mendes [his agent] that I don't want to know anything about the transfer window until then.”

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Sagna set to hold talks with Manchester City

Bacary Sagna will hold talks with Manchester City next week as he steps up plans to find a new club.

As revealed by Goal, the Frenchman has told Arsenal he will not sign a new contract and will leave at the end of the season.

He let manager Arsene Wenger know at the end of last week that the FA Cup final against Hull City on Saturday will be his final game for the Gunners.

Sagna has attracted strong interest from Premier League big-hitters as well as clubs on the continent, including Chelsea, Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain.

But newly-crowned Premier League champions City are believed to be in pole position to capture the versatile full-back.

Manuel Pellegrini’s team are ready to offer Sagna a £100,000-a-week deal spread over three years, even though his premier position at right-back is the same as that of Pablo Zabaleta, one of City’s best players this season.

Arsenal had been close to an agreement with Sagna last month after offering him an £80,000-a-week, two-year deal with the option of a third year in a final attempt to keep him at the club.

However, the 31-year-old has rejected the offer and he will end his seven-year spell at Emirates Stadium after Saturday's final.

The right-back is believed to be settled with his family in England and is keen to remain in the Premier League.

Losing Sagna will be a blow to Arsene Wenger, with the player offering experience and versatility that is not easy to replace. He filled in at centre-back against Norwich City on Saturday as Wenger chose to rest Per Mertesacker ahead of the cup final.

Toulouse's Serge Aurier is currently top of Arsenal’s target list to replace Sagna. Goal revealed on Tuesday that the Gunners have opened preliminary talks with the Ligue 1 club about a £7million summer move for the Ivory Coast international, 21.

The defender, who turned 31 in February, is able to join another club on a free transfer on July 1.

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Lescott confirms Manchester City exit

Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott has confirmed he is set to leave the Premier League champions.

The 26-time England international has not been offered a contract extension to remain with the club, and is eyeing a move to a lower-profile club.

The 31-year-old former Wolverhampton and Everton man said he departs Manchester with no regrets.

"It is the end. I know I'm going to be leaving," Lescott said. "We've had a good relationship, this club has been a big part of me.

"As far as I'm concerned it's the end. If something changed then great but if not there are no hard feelings between me and the club. I've had a great relationship with them.

"I know the business side of it. We've been successful and I hold no grudges.

"Everyone talks about how you look back when your career has finished on what you've won - and I can look back and say I've won some amazing things. It wasn't a bad decision, in the end."

Lescott has been linked with Turkish club Besiktas, as well as Premier League outfits West Ham, Everton, Aston Villa and Tottenham, but he said his family came first when weighing up the suitors.

"I'm going to see what's best for me and my family and then make a decision," Lescott said. "I've spoken to a number of clubs in different countries. There's been no decision made.

"But I want to get it sorted soon. I don't want to leave it till after the World Cup. But at the same time I won't rush."

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Manchester City - West Ham Match Preview

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Liverpool vs Manchester City Match Preview

Probable Lineups /Statistical Comparision

Missing Players :
Liverpool : Jose Enrique and Daniel Agger
Manchester City : Matija Nastasic , M.Richards , 

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Manchester City v Southampton: match preview

Saturday, April 5, 2014

Manchester City v Southampton
Etihad Stadium
Kick-off: 12.45 BST.
TV: Live, BT Sport1, Highlights, BBC ONE Match of the Day.

Manchester City (Possible, 4-2-3-1): Hart' Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichelis, Cichy; Touré, Fernandinho; Navas, Silva, Nasri; Negredo.
Out: Agüero (hamstring), Nastasic (knee).

Southampton (Possible, 4-2-31): Boruc; CHambers, Fonte, Lovren, Shaw; Ward-Prowse, Cork; S Davis, Lallana, Rodriguez; Lambert.
Out: Clyne (groin), K Davis (hip), Yoshida (knee).
Test: Wanyama (leg).

Referee: Chris Foy. Matches: 19, R5 Y50.

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David silva goal vs Hull City

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Hull v Manchester City: match preview

Saturday, March 15, 2014

Hull City v Manchester City
KC Stadium
Kick-off: 12.45 GMT.
TV: Live, BT Sports 1, Highlights, BBC ONE Match of the Day.

Hull (Possible, 4-4-2): McGregor; Rosenior, Chester, Davies, Figueroa; Elmohamady, Meyler, Huddlestone, Livermore; Long, Jelavic.
Out: Brady (groin), McShane (ankle).

Manchester City (Possible, 4-4-2): Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichelis, Clichy; Fernandinho, Javi Garcia; Nasri, Touré, Silva; Negredo.
Out: Agüero (muscle), Jovetic (hamstring), Nastasic (knee), Richards (unspecified).

Referee: Lee Mason. Matches: 17, R4 Y54.

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Arsenal, Manchester City in for Virgil van Dijk

THE top two teams in the English Premier League are monitoring Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk, it is being reported.

Arsenal and Manchester City have both sent scouts to watch the Dutch centre-half, who was bought by Celtic last summer for £1.6 million.

It is thought that Van Dijk, whose performances for Celtic have earned rave reviews since his switch from Groningen, may attract bids of up to £10 million.

Van Dijk is currently contracted to Celtic for the next three seasons, with an option for another year.

The defender’s form has been such that Lennon has said a call-up for Louis van Gaal’s squad is only a matter of time.

“It’s inevitable, if he keeps going and progressing the way he is, that he’ll become a Dutch international. He makes it look easy. People seem to think he has a laid-back attitude, but his work ethic is very high and he’s a kid who wants to get better. I’d like to think Virgil would get a chance with his country.”

Van Dijk has made 29 appearances for Celtic so far this season, scoring three goals.

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Ronaldo catches Suarez in European Golden Shoe standings

Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to the top of the European Golden Shoe standings following his two goals in Real Madrid's 3-0 win over Celta de Vigo in La Liga on Monday evening.

The Portuguese attacker has now netted 20 goals in the Spanish top flight this term to move level with Liverpool forward Luis Suarez, who was not in Premier League action at the weekend.

Atletico Madrid star Diego Costa failed to find the net in his side's hard-fought 1-0 win over Malaga and has to settle for third spot for now.

Giuseppe Rossi sits fourth, but is unlikely to add to his tally any time soon after picking up a knee injury in Fiorentina's victory against Livorno.

French attacker Antoine Griezmann makes his first appearance in the top 10 after scoring once in Real Sociedad's 2-0 win over Bilbao.

Rank	Player	Country	Club	League	Weight	Goals	Points
1	C. Ronaldo	POR	Real Madrid	ESP	2	20 (+2)	40
=	Luis Suarez	URU	Liverpool	ENG	2	20	40
3	Diego Costa	ESP	Atletico Madrid	ESP	2	19	38
4	Giuseppe Rossi	ITA	Fiorentina	ITA	2	14	28
5	Nerijus Valskis *	LTU	Suduva	LTU	1	27	27
6	Sergio Aguero	ARG	Manchester City	ENG	2	13	26
7	Alfred Finnbogason	ISL	Heerenveen	NED	1.5	17	25.5
8	Antoine Griezmann	FRA	Real Sociedad	ESP	2	12 (+1)	24
9	Vladimir Voskoboinikov *	EST	Kalju Nomme	EST	1	23	23
10	Zlatan Ibrahimovic	SWE	Paris Saint-Germain	FRA	1.5	15	22.5
=	Marko Devic	UKR	Metalist Kharkiv	UKR	1.5	15	22.5
=	Philipp Zulechner	AUT	Grodig	AUT	1.5	15	22.5

History & How It Works

Players such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Thierry Henry and Diego Forlan have won the European Golden Shoe in the past few seasons, with the Argentina international as the latest winner of the award following his 46 goals in 2012-13.

Other noteworthy winners include the likes of Francesco Totti, Luca Toni, Ronaldo, Marco van Basten, Eusebio and Gerd Muller.

The weightings are determined by the league's ranking on the Uefa coefficients, which in turn depend on the results of each league's clubs in European competition over the previous five seasons. Goals scored in the top five leagues according to the Uefa coefficients are multiplied by a factor of two, and goals scored in the leagues ranked six to 21 are multiplied by 1.5. Goals in all other leagues are worth one single point.

This measure has prevented players from so-called weaker leagues from winning the European Golden Shoe, since a goal scored in, for example, Armenia, Estonia or Azerbaijan, carries less weight than a goal scored in Serie A, La Liga, the Bundesliga or the Premier League.

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Aguero father rules out Barcelona switch

Sergio Aguero will not be leaving City in order to join Barcelona, his father has confirmed.

The 25-year-old has scored 19 goals in 20 appearances for the Blues so far this term, leading to speculation that the four-time European champions could offer him a return to Spain.

But his father, Leonel, insists there is no truth in such rumours.

"I would like to see Sergio and Messi playing together but there is nothing at all," he told Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo              .

Aguero, who is currently sidelined with a calf injury, will get the chance to visit the Camp Nou in February when City take on Barcelona in the Champions League.

He will come head-to-head with international team-mate Lionel Messi in that game, and Aguero Sr has revealed that the pair have exchanged good-natured messages about the contest.

Sergio and Leo always speak and more after the Champions League draw,” he added.

“They're good friends, like laughing and they're already joking between them ahead the City v Barca clash.

"We will see two great games. I don't know if I will visit Messi's home, but I will go to hotel for sure to say hello to him"

Leonel also expressed his belief that City will edge a tight two-legged tie between the teams.

"I think it will be a 2-0 in England and at least a 0-1 in Barcelona,” he added. “I love Messi so much, but I want my son's team to win. It's a pity both Barça and City are facing each other so soon.

"I wish Sergio to score but the main thing is Manchester City win. Barça's players are all great but they should be careful of City's ones, as they are very good as well.

“They are hungry and they need to rule Barcelona out of Champions League if they want to keep winning titles."

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Swansea City v Manchester City: match preview

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Swansea City v Manchester City
The Liberty Stadium
Kick-off: 12.45 GMT.
TV: Highlights, BBC ONE Match of the Day.

Swansea (Possible, 4-2-3-1): Tremmel; Rangel, Williams, Chico, Davies; De Guzman, Cañas; Routledge, Hernández, Shelvey, Bony.
Out: Michu, Dyer (both ankle), Vorm, Monk (both knee), Tate (hamstring).

Manchester City (Possible, 4-2-3-1): Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Nastasic, Clichy; Fernandinho, Touré; Milner, Navas, Nasri; Negredo.
Out: Agüero (calf), Demichelis, Jovetic, Richards (all hamstring), Silva (suspended).

Referee: Phil Dowd. (Matches: 14, R0 Y58)

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Mourinho: Manchester City still title favourites

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho feels Manchester City are still favourites for the Premier League title despite his side's win over Liverpool.

Mourinho saw his team overcome Martin Skrtel's third-minute opener at Stamford Bridge, as Eden Hazard's curling strike and Samuel Eto'o's finish from six yards secured all three points with a 2-1 victory.

Chelsea have now recorded four consecutive home victories in the Premier League and head into 2014 just two points adrift of leaders Arsenal in third place, but Mourinho believes second-placed City remain the team to beat.

"I keep saying there is a big difference between Manchester City and the other teams," he told reporters. "It's not just about quality, other teams have quality, us too. But [it is about] maturity, the number of players, the group of strikers, physicality, experience.

"They [City] are the favourites, for us, for Arsenal, for Liverpool, to be around [the top] is a good achievement. In our case it's important people learn how to play these matches [against the top sides]."

Mourinho felt his side were good value for their victory on Sunday and was particularly happy with the way they bounced back from an early setback.

He added: "I think we deserved to win because they did nothing to score the first goal, it was circumstantial. After that our reaction in the first half was a fantastic reaction. We scored, we could have scored before.

"In the second half we defended well, they hit the post with [Mamadou] Sakho, we had some counter-attack situations where we could have killed the game. We didn't and until the last minute it was hard, but we deserved [to win]."

Mourinho also confirmed midfielder Frank Lampard is set for a spell on the sidelines with a muscular injury, but is hopeful the lateral ligament issue picked up by Branislav Ivanovic is not serious.

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Manchester City v Crystal Palace: match preview

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Manchester City v Crystal Palace
Etihad Stadium
Kick-off: 15.00 GMT.
TV: Highlights, BBC ONE Match of the Day.

Manchester City (Possible, 4-2-3-1): Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Nastasic, Kolarov; Fernandinho, Touré; Navas, Silva, Nasri; Negredo.
Out: Agüero (calf), Richards, Demichelis, Jovetic (all hamstring).

Crystal Palace (Possible, 4-4-2): Speroni; Mariapa, Gabbidon, Delaney, Parr; Bolasie, Jedinak, Bannan, Puncheon; Chamakh, Jerome.
Out: Dikgacoi (unspecified), Guédioura (ribs), Hunt (ankle), McCarthy (match fitness), Murray (knee), O'Keefe (thigh), Thomas (groin).

Referee: Andre Marriner. Matches: 14, R4 Y45.

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Sakho: We can move mountains

City have won all eight Premier League games this season at the Etihad and have scored 35 goals while conceding only five.

Liverpool are their Boxing Day visitors and French defender Sakho believes they can claim at least a point.

"That's great for them if they have a great home record, but football nowadays is all about turning form and records around," Sakho told Liverpoolfc.com.

"The key for me quite simply is to be determined and confident in ourselves and I hope we will go there to try and put an end to that home record.

"The aim is to try and win every match, whether it's here or at their place, so we'll try and go there determined and ready for the fight and try and win. It's as simple as that.

"I think that when everyone is pulling in the same direction, you can move mountains."

Liverpool's issue may be a lack of numbers in that fight as boss Brendan Rodgers has revealed that they only have 17 senior players available with John Flanagan adding to a list of doubts.

But they can take heart from their last away game in the Premier League - a 5-0 win over Tottenham.

"I think that result showed that we could put in a big performance," said Sakho. "We have to enjoy that victory but then put it into perspective - not all away games are the same. Each opponent is different and this is a very tough league.

"But of course there will now be a level of expectation from everyone when Liverpool play away. I just hope we can get as many positive results as we can.

"I think that we have nothing to be envious about in any of the teams in this league. They have their qualities and we have ours but apart from that, the key is to focus on all that's positive about ourselves, concentrate on our game and be sure of our own strengths."

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Wilshere : City fans insulted my kids

Jack Wilshere says he directed an offensive gesture at a group of Manchester City fans as a response to being abused about his children.

Wilshere was handed a two-match suspension by the Football Association for making the gesture during the second half of Arsenal's 6-3 defeat at the hands of City at the Eithad Stadium.

The punishment sidelined him for Monday's goalless draw with Chelsea and will keep him out of the Gunners' Boxing Day clash with West Ham at Upton Park.

On Tuesday Wilshere explained his actions on Twitter and admitted he may have to be prepared to suffer similar attacks from the stands in future.

"Gutted not to be Involved last night! Shouldn't of [sic] reacted the way I did but I know all you dads out there love your kids the way I do....," he wrote.
"Suppose I will just have to take the abuse about my kids in future......anyway, one more game to go! Can't wait to be back! #AFC"

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Manchester City v Liverpool: match preview

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Manchester City v Liverpool
Etihad Stadium
Kick-off: 17.30 GMT.
TV: Live BT Sports1, Highlights, BBC ONE Match of the Day.

Manchester City (Possible, 4-2-3-1): Hart; Clichy, Kompany, Demichelis, Kolarov; Fernandinho, Touré; Navas, Silva, Nasri; Negredo.
Out: Agüero, Nastasic (both calf), Richards, Zabaleta (both hamstring).
Test: Jovetic (illness).

Liverpool (Possible, 4-3-3): Mignolet; Johnson, Sakho, Skrtel, Flanagan; Allen, Lucas, Henderson; Coutinho, Suárez, Sterling.
Out: Gerrard (hamstring), Sturridge (ankle), Enrique, Coates (both knee).
Test: Flanagan (hamstring).

Referee: Phil Dowd. Matches: 12, R0 Y49.

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Yaya Toure : Barca are scared of Man City

Barcelona are "scared" of Manchester City based on their storming performances this campaign, according to former Camp Nou midfielder Yaya Toure.

The Ivorian has been a pivotal part of the Blues' ascension to second in the Premier League in 2013-14 as of Christmas, as well as helping the club to their first appearance in the Champions League knock-out stage.

Manuel Pellegrini's men will face Barca in the last 16 and Toure - who left the Catalans in 2010 - thinks that Gerardo Martino's side fear elimination to the Citizens, whom he thinks will be the biggest team on the planet in a few seasons.

"To make history sometimes it takes longer," the 30-year-old told Sky Sports. "I am a lucky man to be in the right place because the club have brought in fantastic players.

"Everything is in a good place to be honest, and I'm sure in a couple of years Man City will become the greatest club in the world.

"[Barcelona] are quite afraid about us, the way they see us play in the Premier League at home especially, they're quite scared.

"We play fantastic football and we score goals, it's total attack. But it's going to be a tough game and for us we know if we're to win we need to be at the top of our game."

Man City face Premier League table-toppers Liverpool on December 26 and can take first place with a win at the Etihad Stadium.

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