Mancini confident on City bid for Aguero

Roberto Mancini expects to make a bid for Sergio Aguero in the next few days as Manchester City prepare for life after Carlos Tevez.

Mancini had said that Corinthians had already agreed a deal to sign Tevez before the Brazilian club issued a statement to deny that was the case.

Asked about the situation after the 2-1 friendly victory over Vancouver on Monday, Mancini said: "I slept last night and I had a game to prepare for today so I don't know any more. The clubs are talking."

Though Corinthians' denial has raised doubts over whether the deal can be resolved before the conclusion of the Brazilian transfer window on Wednesday, it appears City are already resigned to losing their captain as they pursue a deal for Atletico Madrid star Aguero.

Asked when a bid might be lodged for the Argentina forward, Mancini said: "Maybe in the next days. I have not spoken to anyone about it, but probably. I think so."

Midfielder Gareth Barry believes Aguero would be a fine replacement for Tevez and says the players are excited about his potential arrival.

"Aguero is a very exciting player from what I have seen on TV," Barry said. "He is a class act. Names like that will excite fans and the players."

He added: "There has obviously been the odd chat about Carlos. He has made it clear he is ready to leave and the players will respect his decision.

"It is down to the club to decide what fee they want for Carlos. We would be sad to lose him because he is a class player who has worked really hard for the club.

"If you believe what you read, then yes, he has played his last game, but he has been great for Manchester City. He has helped the club win its first trophy and he has always given 100%. We are grateful for that."

Source: www.sport.uk.msn.com

United number one position in safe hands

Sir Alex Ferguson has likened new keeper David de Gea to Petr Cech as the young stopper bids to fill the gloves of Edwin Van der Sar and, hopefully, follow in the famous footsteps of Peter Schmeichel at Old Trafford.

So-called experts reckon that the £18m signing from Atletico Madrid, at 20, is too young to handle the responsibility of being United’s new No.1. Sir Alex, who knows a thing or two about players, doesn’t go along with that view.

Fergie insisted: "I went to see Petr Cech when he was at Rennes. I said to myself ‘yeah, he's too young'. But Chelsea bought him at the end of the season for £7m and he's never been out of the team.

"So age doesn't matter when you have the ability of a goalkeeper like Petr Cech or, we know, David De Gea."

Sir Alex added: "David is young, he's quick, he has fantastic presence and composure and his use of the ball is outstanding."

A few facts about United’s new No.1:

De Gea joined Atlético Madrid's youth system at the age of ten, and made his way up through the ranks at the club.

He spent his first professional seasons playing for Atlético Madrid B in Segunda División B. With first choice goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo away on international duty at the 2009 FIFA Under 20 World Cup, De Gea was called up to the senior side as cover for Roberto.

He made his debut for the Atlético first team at the age of 18 on 30 September 2009, coming on as a substitute after Roberto was injured after 26 minutes of Atlético's Champions League group stage match away to Porto.

De Gea finished the 2009–10 season as the starting 'number one'. He won two man of the match awards along the way, against Athletic Bilbao and Valencia.

He appeared in eight games in the club's victorious UEFA Europa League campaign, including the 2–1 final win against Fulham.

De Gea started 2010–11 in impressive fashion, helping Atlético win the season's UEFA Super Cup. In the 90th minute of the 2–0 win against Internazionale, he saved a Diego Milito penalty kick.

Source: www.givemefootball.com

Sergio Agüero is open to replacing Carlos Tevez at Manchester City

The Argentina international Sergio Agüero has given the green light to an approach from Manchester City after admitting he wants to leave Atlético Madrid. The 23-year-old striker is viewed by the City hierarchy as the ideal replacement for Carlos Tevez, although the Eastlands club denied on Friday morning that Juventus have made a £45m bid for their outgoing captain.

Agüero, who has a release clause of £38m in his contract at Atlético, said that he sees moving to England or staying in Spain – where he has been linked with a switch to Atlético's Madrid rivals Real – as his only options, but made it clear his future lies away from Atlético.

Agüero told the Argentinian radio station Radio La Red: "I have made clear in my statement that I do not see myself at Atlético. I will seek the best for me, I know that my representatives are working and for now I don't want to think about it. I will do something after the Copa América, when I am able to think calmly.

"But if I said I saw myself at Atlético, I'd be lying. I'd prefer to play in Spain or England – those are the two best countries."

"Atlético has been my place of work in Spain. I have given everything for the shirt and I have had a lot of fun but as far as my future is concerned, don't bet on anything."

City's financial muscle would see them lead the chase for Agüero as they seek a replacement for his Argentina team-mate, Tevez, who has signalled his intent to leave Eastlands as he seeks a move back to South America to be closer to his family.

The Brazilian club Corinthians were thought to be the only side so far interested Tevez and had a £35m bid rejected earlier this week but their president, Andrés Sánchez, has claimed that Juventus have also lodged a bid, and that the Italians are prepared to pay £45m.

"Nothing has changed. They [Manchester City] have to decide whether to sell or not," said Sánchez. "They have a proposal for €52m [£45m] from Juventus, but Tevez does not want to stay in Europe."

However, a City spokesman said on Friday: "We haven't had anything from Juventus." The club have already made it clear to Corinthians that they will have to increase their bid to land Tevez.

Real Madrid are the other club who have been linked with a move for Agüero, although the Real manager, José Mourinho, is thought to favour a permanent move for Emmanuel Adebayor, who spent five months on loan at the Bernabéu from Manchester City last season.

Source: www.guardian.co.uk