Finally some Actual Transfer News

One of these days I won't have to mention Manchester City in a transfer window update. Yes, it might be a while, but it will happen... I hope.
Yes, Manchester City have apparently moved a step closer to signing Mario Balotelli. It's been a hell of a big staircase, but now the Inter President has told everyone that if Balotelli were to leave then he is by no means "indespensable". The tabloids say that this is a "hint" that a deal could be closer to being finalised. I just wish that they hurry up and finish it. The Inter players don't like him, Manchester City do, Mario likes City back, and City have loads of money. Whats the problem?

Next, and Sol Campbell has moved to Newcastle United. A strong, gigantic, experienced defender to lead out the newly promoted Magpies in their quest to stay in the Premier League, it seems like a good deal for Chris Hughton. With Dan Gosling also joining on a free, and Hatem Ben-Arfa of Marseille also rumoured to be on Newcastles wanted list, it seems like Newcastle could be building up to the team they used to be, and a forced to be reckoned with. Not yet of course, there is still a long way to go, but slowly and steadily they are getting there.

Roy Hodgson has been keeping himself busy too. Luke Young, the Aston Villa defender who can play left or right, he's probably not bothered as long as he plays, has signed for the Mersyside club. Meanwhile, Maxi Rodriguez will be seen as another pointless and useless signing by Rafael Benitez as he heads to Espanyol after joining for £1.5 million last year.

Tottenham have reportedly had a bid for Scott Parker rejected by West Ham, as the Hammers try their hardest to keep hold of the man that almost single handedly kept West Ham in the Premier League last season. Talking of rejection, Real Madrid legend, Raul rejected a chance to move to England with his preference to be German club Shalke.

Goalkeeper David James plunged his club into even more trouble than they were in already, if it were possible, by leaving Portsmouth, and now he is holding talks with Celtic over a possible move to the Scottish version of the Premier League.

Whilst Portsmouth get rid of their defensive players, Arsenal want to add to theirs, and that will be through either a German or an Englishman. The London club will first make a move for Per Mertesacker for £10 million, and then if that fails, they will try once again to bring Evertons Phil Jagielka to their club. A bid of £14 million has already been rejected by Everton for the defender, but Wenger justifiably thinks he needs more defenders and Jagielka is who he wants.

Finally, for a wild rumour. A rumour which is not likely to ever be seen in reality. Manchester United want Ashley Young of Aston Villa. It's unbelievable right? Manchester United actually buying a player with proven quality? Pfft! Not this season anyway. But seriously, Ashley Young is needed by Villa, even more so if Milner leaves for, yes you know, Manchester City.

City's Brats Will be Hard to Control

Last season, an overwhelming amount of lies swept through the blue side of Manchester as City's new signings tried to fool us that they had joined Manchester City for it's bright and successful future and that alone. They tried very hard to persuade us that money had very little to do with their decision to join a club that had recently been taken over by Arab billionaires. These lies are set to continue, as Yaya Toure racked his brains for excuses and reasons why he should choose Manchester City over Barcelona and Manchester United.

I think we can all answer that question for you Yaya. £200k a week sounds pretty good. The simple fact is, Yaya Toure chose the desire for more money over the desire for guaranteed success with either Barcelona or Manchester United. He turned down Champions League football for money (and the Europa League of course!). He explained that:

"Manchester United is a big club, one of the biggest in the world, but I chose Manchester City because they had not won anything."

Read that again.

But to be fair, he goes on to say that it is a good feeling to go to a club that hasn't won anything and then see everything change for the better around you. I imagine it would probably feel even better if you were getting paid almost a quarter of a million pounds every week!

With all this money being paid to players at City, Roberto Mancini will have a tough job keeping all of their ego's in check. If things start going badly for the team and if a few players don't support the manager I can see a repeat of the the French horror at the World Cup. Players going on strike against the manager and refusing to follow the managers tactics. There was even a small hint of it last season when Carlos Tevez publicly stated that he didn't like the way Mancini had the team train. Don't be suprised if the City brats do something similar this season.