Arsenal negotiating sale of Cesc - Guardiola

Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed Arsenal have agreed to negotiate over the sale of Cesc Fabregas.

The Catalans have been hunting the Spain international midfielder for a number of years, having failed to land Fabregas last summer.

Arsenal were steadfast in the face of repeated efforts from Barca last summer and have maintained a similar stance this year.

Arsene Wenger has spoken of his confidence that Fabregas will stay at Emirates Stadium and Gunners chairman Peter Hill-Wood said on Tuesday that nothing had changed with regard to their captain.

However, Guardiola has countered those claims by stating the two clubs are talking about a transfer.

"This year Arsenal has agreed to negotiate and we are working on it," Guardiola said. "Barcelona has made an offer, Arsenal another and we have time until August 31. We will try to reach an agreement.

"There is a sum of money in the strongbox set aside for the signing. If it does not work out, it will be left in place for something else.

"Cesc will make us better, we're interested, but if it's not to be then maybe next year and we use the money for something else."

Source: www.msn.com

Corinthians deny Tevez deal

Corinthians have denied reports that they have reached an agreement with Manchester City over the signing of striker Carlos Tevez.

City boss Roberto Mancini claimed on Monday morning that City had accepted an offer from the Brazilian club, but Corinthians president Andres Sanchez insists no deal has been done.

A statement from the club read: "Because of news reports this morning of an agreement between Corinthians and the striker Carlos Tevez, president Andres Sanchez is keen to clarify that Manchester City has not accepted Corinthians' offer for the player.

"In fact, [City] sent a counterproposal, which, due to the time difference, has only just reached the Corinthians board this morning. In the counterproposal, the Premier League club asks for changes in the form of payment and also in the total value of the transaction.

"Finally, the president Andres Sanchez advises that there is no concrete agreement with Tevez at this time and the counterproposal will be analysed by him and the board."

Tevez's agent Kia Joorabchian remains hopeful a deal will be agreed before the Brazilian transfer window closes on Wednesday.

"There is no agreement at the moment but we are working hard and we will see what happens," Joorabchian told BBC Sport. "The deal has not been done and I don't want to say too much either way. To say I am optimistic would be just a guess but we are working hard."

If a deal is struck to take Tevez back to the club he won the Campeonato Brasileiro with in 2005, City are likely to target Atletico Madrid forward Sergio Aguero as a replacement.

Source: www.sport.uk.msn.com

Manchester City coach baffled by Wenger rant

Manchester City’s Roberto Mancini has responded to Arsene Wenger’s outburst at him.

The Italian coach has confirmed his interest in signing Samir Nasri from Arsenal, which prompted Wenger to accuse him of breaking the ‘basic rules of football.’

Mancini, though, is a little baffled as to why the Frenchman reacted in this way, and he has hit back by playing down his initial comments. 

"I said only that Nasri, (Sergio) Aguero are two good players and I said also that Nasri is under contract with Arsenal," he said. "I don't know why he's upset, but only this.

"Because the question was about some good players, I say that like this. I said also that Nasri is under contract with Arsenal, it's difficult. Only this."

Source: www.fansfc.com

Ronaldo scores as Real Madrid beats Galaxy 4-1

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a signature goal and Real Madrid displayed its deft scoring ability to beat the Los Angeles Galaxy 4-1 in an exhibition on Saturday night.

Jose Callejon and Joselu scored 8 minutes apart in the first half and Karim Benzema converted a header in the 57th minute as the Spanish giants showed little rust in their preseason opener.

Ronaldo, who set La Liga's scoring record with 40 goals last season, entered as a halftime substitute. The Portuguese star used multiple step-over's to fake out three defenders, then fired a sharp shot with his left foot that found its way inside the near post.

David Beckham wore the captain's band for the Galaxy against his former team but failed to make an impact before being removed for a substitute in the 61st minute.

Adam Cristman scored the Galaxy's lone goal, redirecting Antonio Adan's save with a header into the net.

Source: www.google.com