EPL Gossip Tuesday April 20th
Aston Villa’s determination to hang on to midfielder James Milner will be tested by a £24m bid from Manchester City. Express and Star
Martin O’Neill did say Aston Villa may have to sell one of their top players to fund there transfer targets. £24 million can go along way in the transfer market.
Cesc Fabregas’ father, Fabregas Sr, has denied meeting Real Madrid director general Jorge Valdano at the weekend after reports continue to link the Spain international with a move to the Bernabeu. (Press Association)
Despite the Barcelona connection, Fabregas isn’t a perfect fit there. The same reasons he left in the first place are there today. If Fabregas did want to move Real Madrid would be a better option.
Everton are set to tie down midfielder Steven Pienaar to a new big-money contract to ward off interest from Tottenham and Manchester City. Daily Mail
Everton sold Andrew Johnson to Fulham for 10 million two years ago and no one at Everton has missed him since. Selling Pienaar for even more would have the same effect.
Manchester City have admitted an interest in Benfica duo Angel di Maria and Oscar Cardozo. It is believed release clauses in the pair’s contracts mean they could be signed for a combined £88m. Manchester Evening News
This has nothing to do with the rumour above but damn you Fernando Torres for not getting your knee surgery done sooner. With Torres being out it would of been Benfica in the Europa league semi finals. Still wishing Liverpool good luck in the semi’s.
Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has admitted that the club will not fight to keep striker Hugo Rodallega and midfielder Charles N’Zogbia should a big club make an offer for either of the sought-after pair this summer. Goal
Nor should he, It’s not like Wigan are fighting for European places with N’Zogbia and Rodallega.
Manchester City striker Craig Bellamy’s relationship with manager Roberto Mancini has reached breaking point, with the Wales international wanting a move from Eastlands in the summer if the Italian remains in charge. Daily Mail
Going by Bellamy’s previous career paths he was due for a move around this time anyway.
Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish wants to take Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster on loan next season. Daily Mirror
Smart back up plan with Joe Hart most likely not coming back for another season.
Al Pacino’s American football film Any Given Sunday and Invictus, which recounts South Africa’s win at the 1995 Rugby World Cup, were part of the entertainment on board Barcelona’s team bus. The European champions are travelling by road to the first leg of their Champions league semi-final againt play Inter Milan.
Full story: the Independent
I for one would love to be on this bus ride.