Chelsea close to £100m deal to sign Aguero

Intermediaries have put together a £100 million “package” deal to take Argentine international superkid Sergio Agüero to Chelsea in the January transfer window.

DenisDoyle/GettyImages

Sergio Aguero rose to the occasion in scoring a brace against Chelsea in a recent Champions League encounter

The £100 million includes the player’s salary which will be scaled up to reach nearly £250,000-a-week in the final years of the proposed Chelsea playing contract, the £40 million transfer plus near-£10m add-ons related to Chelsea’s success, meaning a near £50 million transfer fee, with added agents’ fees.

 

The 21-year-old Atlético Madrid striker Sergio Leonel Agüero del Castillo, has privately indicated “yes” to a move that will make him one of the highest paid players in the world, with a transfer fee that will smash the British record of £32.5m for Robinho by some distance.

Chelsea almost signed the boy who is engaged to Diego Maradona’s daughter, Giannina, with whom he has a son, in the summer, but the deal broke down over the players £6m-a-year wage demands on top of Atletico demanding a £60m transfer fee.

However Chelsea know they have to meet the player’s wage demands to make a spectacular signing in the January window while their FIFA ban is still suspended.

Talks have been on-going for several weeks between a host of middlemen intent on making the deal happen, and there is now room for optimism that it will advance sufficiently in the next four weeks to be in a position for the move to take place in January.

ESPN Soccernet has been told by one of the insiders involved with the deal that there is far more flexibility on all sides than there was been in the summer when the deal broke down.

My source revealed: “There is still more talking to do, but let’s see. There is now a possibility, although with so many complications involved you would have to say it’s still 50-50 whether it will finally go though.”

Chelsea are keen to capture one of the best young players in world football at a time when their transfer ban has been suspended pending a FIFA hearing. They urgently need to make significant signings at a time when the big clubs usually only make interim moves and wait for the summer.

Roman Abramovich cannot take the risk of waiting until the end of the season in case Chelsea are banned from making any signings, so needs to act now, and intermediaries have stepped up the process of attempting to bring Aguero to the Bridge.

Chelsea are not as reluctant to invest in Agüero’s salary as much as they are about Atletico’s asking price of £60 million, which has dropped to £55 million. Talks are aimed at trying to get the fee below £50 million and closer to £40 million.

A compromise of money offered up in relation to Chelsea’s success is the logical route to resolve the differences in the transfer fee valuation.

Chelsea would be prepared to hit the £50 million mark, if it included add-ons related to success, given that Real Madrid paid £80 million for Ronaldo, and the Argentine is a few years younger.

Chelsea would ideally like to sign Aguero for six years, but five years is normally regarded as a long-term deal, but as the player is so young at 21, they be might be able to stretch to six years or more, even if the final years are optional.

While Chelsea might start to pay the youngster £6 million-a-year, that will rise quickly to £10 million and that will go even higher in the final year of his deal.

Overall, including bonuses, and given Chelsea’s propensity for silverware, he can realistically expect to yield £50 million from his personal terms and image rights, to add to the near £50 million transfer fee, totally an eye watering £100 mllion.

The player’s agent Bruno Satin, head of the football division of IMG, one of the world’s biggest sports agencies, based in Chiswick in London, is one of a number of agents working on negotiating an acceptable fee with Athletico.

Manchester City are the only club that could possibly compete with Chelsea at this level of transfer, but my source tells me: “The player doesn’t want to go there, and Manchester City do have a problem with trying to sing players at this level, as they did with Kaka, because they are not serious yet. They will be, but they are not just yet.”

For that reason Atletico have to be realistic to drop their asking price as Chelsea are the only buyers at that kind of price. That’s why there is greater optimism of a deal going through than there has been at any other time.

A transfer of £40 million plus a near £10 million add ons based on Chelsea’s success during the duration of the players contract would be one of the biggest deals in world football. The entire financial package won’t be far short of the Real Madrid deals for Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo.

My source added: “Money was the problem the deal fell through in the summer, and the money is the problem now, but we shall see, as I said, the talks are on going and everyone seems to want to find a solution.”

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has targeted Agüero as his only major signing during the January transfer window. The club have been given permission to buy and sell after the Fifa-imposed transfer ban, following the Gaël Kakuta affair, was frozen pending an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Agüero scored two spectacular goals during the recent 2-2 draw with Chelsea in the Champions League. After the match Ancelotti joked that he would like to sign the exciting striker. But before that Ancelotti admitted Chelsea have been “monitoring” this player for some time.

Chelsea also remain interested in Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribery, who would command a similar hefty investment in fees and salaries, and who is also greatly admired by Ancelotti.

But my source indicates that Ribery will be hard, if not impossible, to prise from Bayern in January, but will be a far more realistic target in the summer, if Chelsea win their appeal with FIFA. Chelsea’s determination to secure the Aguero deal as they are aware that if their CAS appeal fails, they cannot make another signing for some time.

Agüero will not be eligible for Chelsea in the Champions League this season, having already played for Atlético, but Abramovich wants to win back the Premier League title from Manchester United, and the club are concerned about losing Didier Drogba and Solomon Kalou to the African Nations in January.

At 15 years and 35 days Aguero beat Maradona’s record as the youngest player to make debut in Argentinean top flight. In May 2006, he joined Atlético Madrid for £16m.

He lost his place in the Argentine attack during the chaotic final stages of qualification, and needs to be playing at the highest level to play in the World Cup finals in South Africa, rather than with struggling Athletico, a factor that Maradona has made clear to him, and one of the reasons the player is keen to move to the Bridge.

Darren Fletcher – Player profile

Each week I am going to select a Manchester united player and give my observations. Today, it’s Darren Fletcher. Ok, a couple of years ago I was thinking this lad should not be playing for man u. Boy did he prove me wrong. It seems week after week Fletcher gets better and better and is becoming increasingly more critical to Manchester united’s success, especially in the big games. Champions league final anyone…?

I can’t help but think Sir Alex has taken a personal liking to Fletcher given the Scottish connection, and has personally groomed Darren over the last couple of seasons, hoping to give something extra to the Scottish national team as a side benefit…

Fletcher has become the most valuable mid-fielder in united’s line up this season, one upping Carrick, Scholes, and Anderson. I really like Fletcher’s energy, he reminds me of Roy Keane with his energy and industry and is as hard as nails, but with the ability to score more goals, I think he has the potential to have the kind of timing that Scholes possesses in front of goal.

I would definitely say Fletcher is united’s most improved player over the last two seasons without a doubt. We see many players come through the team, Nani, Anderson, Ronaldo, Roony, Veron, Kleberson, etc.. but it’s only a select few that really nail down a first team spot. Over the last couple of seasons the likes of  Ronaldo, Roony, Fletcher, and Carrick have nailed down that first team spot and have demonstrated time and time again they deserve to be there. Others, like Anderson, Nani, and Park just dont seem to be able to do it. It’s crazy to me that at 36 years old, Ryan Giggs comes on as sub for Nani and completely shows him up by changing the game, Scholes is getting a lot of playing time also, I’m sorry but with the investment Sir Alex has made in some of the afformentioned players, they should be paying dividends by now, United should not have to rely on Giggs and Scholes to change games but to come on in the later stages and use their experience to control the games. More often than not this season, Fergie has brought on Giggs to find a winner…. Not acceptable. By now, Nani, Park, and Anderson should be doing more, should be creating more game changing moments. My point is, Flecther is in good company and is one player that United can rely on to replace one of the old guard, I’d like to see Fletcher get into double digits this season, and keep that going for the next 5 years or so. Big ups to Fletcher in my book.

Manchester United Kids loose at old trafford to Besiktas

Turkish delight as Manchester United lost at home in the Champions league for the first time in 23 games, dating back to 2005. Sir Alex Ferguson fielded a largely inexperienced side with the likes of Obertan and Danny Welbeck getting a surprised start, although you still had the feeling there was enough quality on the field to grind out a win or at least a draw. Congrats to Besiktas, they worked hard and didn’t ever look in awe of their illustrious opponents. 

JC

Is Ji-Sung Park good enough for Manchester United?

Ji-Sung Park drives me nuts, absolutely nuts. He’s an amazing athlete, has enthusiasm in abundance, and technically he’s above average for the premiership, but why doesn’t he ever seem to make an impression for united? Why hasn’t Park nailed down a first team spot in the past 4 or 5  seasons? He always seems to loose possession of the ball, runs into dead ends, or delivers terrible crosses. He seems to be a stand up guy and I’d probably enjoy a beer with him, but whenever I see him on the team sheet I cringe. Help me out Manchester United fans, what’s the deal? Don’t tell me he’s a token player to sell shirts in Korea.

JC

Obertan the new Ronaldo for Manchester United

I have only watched Obertan play a couple of times but I really like the way he makes space laterally instead of running into dead ends like some wingers… SWP anyone?? I think with a bit more mass on his frame and a little better crossing ability he could be a very good prospect. Speaking of wingers, I have been big upping Aaron Lennon for a couple of years and finally he’s getting some recognition. Who is the best winger in the premiership in the 2009/10 season?

New blog ramblings

I haven’t posted a blog post for ages, I think the reason was, I got bored of copy and pasting stories that already hit the AP, although I may do that from time to time if I think its worth it or it’s a great talking point, I am going to dedicate my blog site to venting, armchair managing, and basically solving the worlds football problems, one player and one team at a time. I encourage everyone to contribute and give their opinions on anything. If this blog is only read by me, that’s fine. I just need a forum to vent.. James Carter.

 

Newcastle move in for Poyet

Owner Mike Ashley made his move last night as Spurs No 2 Poyet met Toon officials in London. He is seen as the perfect man to replace Kevin Keegan thanks to his brilliant relationship with Dennis Wise and Tony Jimenez. Poyet was Wise’s assistant when he was boss at Leeds and Swindon and also played alongside the Toon director of football at Chelsea. Poyet, 40, is also close with vice-president Jimenez who played a controversial role in the departure of Keegan. Spurs boss Juande Ramos will try everything he can to keep Poyet, who has been his No 2 for 11 months. Gianfranco Zola, another Wise pal, remains in the frame however — even though he will be offered the West Ham job today.

Robinho: I’m ready for Blues

ROBINHO has told SunSport: I am itching to shoot down Chelsea.

The Brazilian superstar was speaking after his first match since his incredible £32.5million transfer from Real Madrid to Manchester City. He inspired his country to a comprehensive 3-0 World Cup qualifier victory over Chile in their South American neighbours’ capital. And The Sun was the only British newspaper inside Santiago’s Estadio Nacional to see Robinho’s master class. The silky-skilled Samba sensation was just too hot for Chile to handle and capped a mesmerising display by scoring the visitors’ key second goal just before the break. It was perfect preparation for his Premier League bow this Saturday, when he will make his City debut against the club he almost joined on deadline day — Chelsea. The battle of the billionaires — Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim v Roman Abramovich — is already being dubbed ‘The Oil Firm Derby’. Robinho said afterwards: “I am satisfied with my performance and that of my team. We have to use this as preparation and motivation for our game against Bolivia on Wednesday. I was tired at the end but I will be ready to face Chelsea. “Everybody knows I expected to sign for them. But I am happy to be at Manchester City and my only thought is to help us beat Chelsea. “I love playing and scoring for Brazil. Every time I play for the national team, I feel I become a better player. “I was pleased to score against Chile and now I am determined to do the same against Chelsea. “I want to score at least one goal.” Robinho started up front with Ronaldinho and Luis Fabiano in a three-pronged attack. Seville star Fabiano may have netted twice but it was Robinho who stole the show. City’s new maestro, 24, bamboozled Chile with his superior skills, technique and movement. Having started out on his preferred right flank, he made full use of the licence to roam given to him by coach Dunga. After Fabiano had headed Brazil into a 20th-minute lead, Ronaldinho saw a spot-kick 14 minutes later superbly saved by red-hot Chile keeper Claudio Bravo. Robinho then took a Fabiano pass in his stride and waltzed through the home defence to make it 2-0 on the stroke of half-time. Not even Fabiano’s second and red cards for team-mate Kleber and Chile sub Jorge Valvidia could overshadow Robinho’s impressive contribution. And in case critics scoff that City’s record signing could never reproduce such form on cold Tuesday nights in Manchester, they should note that Chile is currently in the grip of a freak winter. With temperatures hovering at five degrees, conditions felt much more like Salford than Santiago. Meanwhile, City starlet Ched Evans has opened the door for a move by claiming there is ‘no point’ in staying if he is not going to play for the first team. Cardiff are one club interested in the Wales international, 19, whose chances of progress have been threatened by Robinho’s arrival. Evans, who only signed a three-year contract in the summer, said: “I expect to play in the first team, otherwise there would be no point in being here.”

Zola set for Hammers job

Gianfranco Zola is expected to be named West Ham boss on Thursday after the club’s directors made him the favourite to take over from Alan Curbishley, who resigned last week.  West Ham hope they will unveil their first foreign manager at a news conference on Thursday, but may face a slight delay as the former Chelsea midfielder is joint coach of the Italy under-21 side and they are in action in Croatia on Tuesday night. The club have also been in talks with fellow Italian Roberto Donadoni, but reports suggest that he is dismayed at the Hammers’ handling of the recruitment process and has ruled himself out of the job. The ex-Italy boss, who was sacked from his post with the Azzurri after a disappointing showing at Euro 2008, is unhappy that the Premier League club appear to favour Zola – Donadoni’s former junior in the Italy set up – for the role. Donadoni said in a statement: ”I would like to thank West Ham United Football Club for approaching and speaking with me in relation to the vacant manager’s position at the club. ”I welcomed the opportunity of speaking with such a prominent Premiership club and of course, the opportunity of coming to the English Premiership. ”However, is does appear that the board have not yet, after some time, come to an agreement and a conclusion on who the successful candidate should be. ”It is important for me to feel that I have the full support of the club and I have therefore this morning taken the decision to withdraw myself from the candidate shortlist for the club. ”Donadoni has more managerial experience than Zola but he does not have the 42-year-old’s long association with English football and another on the Hammers’ radar to take himself out of the running is Croatian coach Slaven Bilic. Bilic’s hopes of succeeding Alan Curbishley floundered on the complications surrounding his release from his current job as coach of Croatia, though he was never top of West Ham’s wish list. The Hammers’ chief executive Scott Duxbury and technical director Gianluca Nani have led the selection process and the pair provided a detailed report to a meeting of the club’s board. They outlined the merits of as many as 30 names who were initially considered and then the reasons why they were whittled down to a shortlist of six. With Zola and Donadoni heading the list, it now appears Zola will take the job, especially as Michael Laudrup, the Danish former coach of Spanish side Getafe, was due to have an interview but was ruled out after it emerged he was set to accept an offer from Spartak Moscow. Kia Joorabchian, who works as an advisor to West Ham, said both Zola and Donadoni had impressed. He told Sky Sports News: ”Zola has a lot of experience in the Premier League, he was admired by every fan in the league irrespective of which club they supported. ”He has built a big reputation for himself in Italy. He hasn’t Premier League experience as a manager but he understands the Premier League very much. ”But Donadoni has vast experience and is a good candidate. ”They are moving fast. They would like to appoint a new manager before the weekend but it is a process they will consider carefully. ”It is a different system, a more European system of working and it will be a manager who will be working under that style in order to minimise and avoid errors which have occurred in the past.”

Essien ruled out for the year

Chelsea look set to be without Michael Essien for the rest of the year after it was confirmed the midfielder would need surgery on a knee injury. The 25-year-old suffered the problem while on international duty with Ghana and a club statement read: “Michael has ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and will undergo an operation as soon as the majority of the swelling has subsided.”

Barton banned for six games

Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton has been banned for six matches by the Football Association for his attack on Ousmane Dabo, with a futher six games suspended. The England international attacked Dabo during a Manchester City training session in May 2007. He was also fined £25,000 after pleading guilty to the charge.

Keegan quits, Newcastle back to square one

Newcastle owner Mike Ashley was today going back to the drawing board with his dream for the club in tatters in the wake of Kevin Keegan’s resignation. And League Managers’ Association chairman Howard Wilkinson has branded the decision to bring in Dennis Wise as executive director [football] as a ‘recipe for disaster’.

Pele: Robinho had to be total nuts

BRAZILIAN legend Pele reckons his fellow countryman Robinho ‘needs counselling’ for turning his back on a move to Chelsea.

 

The Manchester City new boy caused a big shock in his homeland when he opted for a £32.5million switch to Eastlands. That came after he had spent the previous few weeks trying to engineer a move away from Real Madrid and expressing his wish to go to Stamford Bridge. Many believe Robinho moved just for the reported £95,000 a week offered by City. Pele, 67, said: “Chelsea are lucky. This boy needs some serious counselling. He has been badly advised.” Former Real coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo added: “If you want to become the best, you need a team with possibilities to shine. I don’t know if his football or his career will go back at City.”

Robinho hits back at Pele criticism

Robinho has responded to Pele’s criticism him for joining Manchester City, insisting the Brazil icon and again criticised Real Madrid for the failure of his move to Chelsea. Former Santos forward Robinho, 24, joined City from Real Madrid on Monday in a shock transfer-deadline-day move after having looked on course for a transfer to Stamford Bridge. City – newly rich as a result of investment the Abu Dhabi United Group – stepped in to meet the asking price and Pele is reported to have said Robinho ‘needs some serious counselling’ as he had been ‘badly advised’ by people close to him. Robinho has stressed the move to City is the right one. ‘I accept Pele’s criticism as he is the king of football, but if he had been me, he would have done the same,’ said Robinho, who arrived in Teresopolis in a helicopter yesterday to train with the national team ahead of the World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Bolivia. ‘Real did not want to retain me. They even used me as a potential exchange to sign Cristiano Ronaldo. But as that negotiation fell through, they wanted to retain me then. ‘If they didn’t want to count on me, I didn’t want to stay there either, so that is what I told the president.’ Robinho admitted his first intention was to move to Chelsea to be coached by former Brazil boss Luiz Felipe Scolari but a number of issues led to Real Madrid cancelling negotiations. ‘My first goal was to go to Chelsea as it was the only club to have made a formal offer,’ he added. ‘But Real did not like Chelsea shirts with my name on being sold before sorting out the negotiations,’ he said, referring to an embarassing episode that saw Chelsea’s commercial arm peddling Robinho merchandise when a deal was nowhere near being done. ‘Also, they did not reach the value Real demanded so then Manchester City came in at the last minute to sign me.’ Robinho said Real’s refusal to release him to play at the Olympic Games was one of the main reasons why he quit the Spanish side to join City. The Primera Liga giants denied the forward the chance to play in Beijing last month claiming the Brazilian had an injury, but the forward became angry with the club’s board and asked president Ramon Calderon for a move away from the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. ‘I cried when he (Calderon) didn’t let me play at the Olympics and you can check that by asking him,’ said Robinho. ‘I didn’t cry to quit. I just told him I didn’t want to stay there any longer so I asked to be transferred.’

Kick out Wise and I will stay – Kevin Keegan

KEVIN KEEGAN last night told the Newcastle board: Sack Dennis Wise and I’ll stay on as boss.King Kev produced an amazing series of ultimatums during showdown talks with club owner Mike Ashley yesterday.

Knowing he has the Toon fans behind him, Keegan called for:

 Executive director of football Wise to be paid off.

Vice-president Tony Jimenez, who is in charge of player recruitment, to also be shown the door. 

Control of all transfers in and out — AND given the power to negotiate all player contracts.

 Just 24 hours earlier Keegan’s eight-month reign seemed to be coming to an end with the board squeezing him into a corner. The ENTIRE first team was up for sale during the summer transfer window and two players — Xisco and Ignacio Gonzalez — were brought in without his say so. But, after vocal demonstrations by the fans, a revolt by the players and threats of a supporters’ boycott of the next home game, Keegan emerged holding all the aces. A Toon insider told SunSport: “The way Keegan is trying to pull this round is staggering. “If he gets his way, he’ll have a power which he hasn’t had since coming back.” Most of the Toon squad felt ‘insulted’ by the discovery that they were up for sale. Now, if Keegan does go, the stars loyal to him will ALL slap in transfer requests in January. The insider said: “The players feel surprised and disappointed and they also feel insulted. “I’ve never known it so quiet here. It’s like there was a funeral going on, like there had been a death in the family. “Kev’s hugely popular among the players, so the mood is nothing like normal — how could it be with so much hanging over the club?”

Manchester United finally complete £30.75m Berbatov deal

Sir Alex Ferguson has hailed £30.75million man Dimitar Berbatov as a ‘key signing’ in Manchester United’s quest for a Premier League title hat-trick. Berbatov finally completed a four-year deal to join from Tottenham just before the closure of the transfer window last night, bringing an end to one of the summer’s major transfer sagas. And while neighbours Manchester City might have sent shockwaves across the city with their own pursuit of Berbatov and eventual signing of Robinho, Ferguson is intent on ensuring United remain top of the pile in England. ‘This is a key signing,’ the United boss told www.manutd.com. ‘Dimitar is one of the best and most exciting strikers in world football. ‘His style and ability will give the team a different dimension and I am sure he will be a popular player with the fans.’ Berbatov was driven away from Old Trafford just before the announcement of his move was made public. But the Bulgarian was clearly happy as he was pictured inside the stadium and is looking forward to becoming a United legend. ‘Joining Manchester United is a dream come true for me,’ he said. ‘I look forward to playing my part in helping this club win more honours in the years to come. ‘After a breathless afternoon, in which Berbatov spent time at United’s Carrington training complex and then Old Trafford, he was then taken to a south Manchester hospital for a medical. With no problems reported, he returned to Old Trafford, where he was greeted warmly by Sir Alex Ferguson and chief executive David Gill to begin the long wait to see if a deal could be done that would eventually see Berbatov wear the number nine shirt vacated by Louis Saha, following the Frenchman’s sale to Everton. Forty minutes before the deadline expired, United submitted papers to the Premier League, hoping the registration would go through in time, with the deal, which will see Fraizer Campbell move in the other direction on a season-long loan, being confirmed at 12.40am. While the fee is more than United ideally wanted to pay, they have gained agreement from Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy that he will not pursue his complaint against the Old Trafford outfit for approaching Berbatov in the first place. Having agreed an amazing £35million deal with cash-rich Manchester City, Levy knew he might have pocketed even more cash. However, he was also aware Berbatov had his heart set on joining United having unloaded a player who clearly no longer wanted to be at White Hart Lane and was beginning to unsettle other members of Juande Ramos’ squad. For Ferguson, Berbatov’s arrival was a matter of extreme urgency. While United were always confident Manchester City would be seen off as potential bidders, the evidence of the past two weeks, when Darren Fletcher has been the only player to score in the Premier League and the Super Cup was lost to Zenit St Petersburg on Friday when Nemanja Vidic found the target, Ferguson knew he needed another senior striker. The Scot has won the last two Premier League titles, and the Champions League a man light of his preferred four-pronged forward line. And he knew this time around, there would be no surprise signing such as Henrik Larsson to help the Red Devils out, or an unexpected seam of goals from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, or, due to his current injury, 42 from Cristiano Ronaldo. Campbell might have impressed in pre-season but Ferguson realised it was too much to expect the youngster to hold down a regular place should either Wayne Rooney or Carlos Tevez be ruled out for an extended period. And, though other targets such as Michael Owen, Thierry Henry and David Villa were mentioned, Berbatov was the man Ferguson kept returning to. At 27, Berbatov is slightly older than most of United’s recent major purchases but Ferguson feels his silky touch – which the Scot first experienced when Bayer Leverkusen faced the Red Devils in Champions League combat five years ago. Ferguson believes Berbatov has the quality to score goals himself and create chances for others. Some may question the player’s temperament in light of his recent behaviour but Ferguson has worked with plenty of highly-strung individuals, including Eric Cantona, and got the best out of them. He will expect to do the same with Berbatov, starting when United travel to Anfield to face Liverpool on September 13.

Keegan quit rumours hit Newcastle

Kevin Keegan has ‘quit’ as manager of Newcastle United following a meeting with club owner Mike Ashley, according to sources.

The 57-year-old did not take training on Tuesday morning but the Magpies are yet to confirm the speculation. Reports suggest that Keegan was unhappy with the club’s transfer policy. Last week 22-year-old James Milner was sold to Aston Villa for a fee of £12million, despite Keegan insisting he wanted the winger to remain on Tyneside.  Tension over transfers has simmered ever since Dennis Wise was drafted in as Executive Director (Football) to head up activity in the market, only weeks after Keegan’s appointment. At the time former Newcastle player Keegan, who joined the club for a second spell as manager in January 2008, insisted he had no problem with Wise’s surprise appointment. But having been unable to add big names to the signings of Argentinian pair Fabricio Coloccini and Jonas Gutierrez Keegan is believed to have become disillusioned with his lot at St James’ Park. The bookies have stopped taking bets on Keegan becoming the next Premier League manager to lose his job and have installed Wise as the favourite to take over at Newcastle. Keegan’s first stint as Toon boss began in 1992 and after five successful years at the helm he shocked the footballing world in January 1997 by announcing his resignation. After leaving Newcastle Keegan went on to manage Fulham, England and Manchester City.

Robinho leaves Madrid for Manchester City

Manchester City have completed the British record £32.5million signing of Robinho with just minutes to go in the transfer window. He has signed a four-year contract at the City of Manchester Stadium.  Manager Mark Hughes told the club’s official website tonight: ‘I am absolutely delighted to get the opportunity to work with such an incredible talent like Robinho. I have said that in order to compete with the best teams in the Premier League we have to be in the market for players of this calibre, and Robinho is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world.  ‘I am really looking forward to introducing him to the rest of the squad, and to the City fans at the earliest opportunity. This is a real statement of intent as to the ambitions of Manchester City Football Club. Robinho will be in line to make his City debut against, of all clubs, Chelsea after the international break. It follows bids earlier in the day for Dimitar Berbatov, David Villa and Mario Gomez. The Brazilian claimed he wanted to move to England at a press conference yesterday and also criticised Real coach Bernd Schuster for denying him the chance to move to Chelsea. However, London will not be his next destination. Sources suggest that Real were determined not to sell the Brazilian forward to Chelsea but were happy to deal once the Eastlands side moved in. Chelsea had been tracking the player all summer and will be furious to lose out to another English club. Rather than find himself marooned at the Bernabeu until January was prepared to move to the Premier League with Mark Hughes’ side. Real Madrid’s decision to accept City’s offer for Robinho was made for both ’sporting and human’ reasons, the Spanish club’s president Ramon Calderon has said. ‘We have sold Robinho for reasons of a human nature and for sporting reasons. The fact that he has accepted an offer from Manchester City says that he is not going for sporting reasons,’ Calderon told Spanish television station Veo. ‘It’s an important sum of money. It’s not the objective of Real Madrid to sell players, neither do we need the money, but for reasons of human and sporting nature, it has been decided this is for the best. ‘It’s a decision agreed by all the coaching staff, who understand it is best for the player and for the club. ‘(Coach Bernd) Schuster thought until yesterday that he could recover the player, but that has not been the case. Every time I have spoken with him he was very sad, crying and asking to leave Spain. Real Madrid are more important than any one player. ‘He’s a great kid, but badly advised.’ Robinho burst on to the scene as an 18-year-old when he helped Santos win their first Brazilian championship in 2002. His trickery, skills and physique led to comparisons with former Santos great Pele and eventually attracted the attention of Real Madrid. Robinho pressured Santos for a move to Real and after a lengthy tug-of-war transfer saga, the Brazilian club relented and agreed to sell the player to the Spanish giants in August 2005. Classed as the new Galactico when he arrived at the club, Robinho made a dazzling debut as a substitute in the 2-1 victory over Cadiz in the opening game of the season but then went on to struggle for the remainder of his first campaign in Europe. He won his first Spanish league title under coach Fabio Capello in 2007, but often featured as a substitute and only really took off last season when he helped Real to their second consecutive championship, scoring 11 goals in 32 outings. Robinho is a regular in the Brazilian national side and played an instrumental role in their triumph in the 2007 Copa America, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with six goals. City’s fortunes were transformed this morning when Abu Dhabi United Group announced they had agreed in principal to buy the club from Thaksin Shinawatra, who will remain on the club’s board as a shareholder and honorary president. Prospective new Manchester City owner Dr Sulaiman Al-Fahim believes only ‘formalities’ remain before he can rubber-stamp their takeover of the Premier League club.  Al-Farim confirmed that ADUG had also considered investing in City’s Premier League rivals Arsenal, Newcastle and Liverpool before deciding to press ahead with a buy-out – thought to be worth around £150million – of the Eastlands outfit.

Sorry, I love Kate Moss…. Nothing to do with Football

Exclusive: Wayne Rooney had jaw broken at Stereophonics gig

Wayne Rooney proved his love for the Stereophonics recently with a tattoo in honour of the band – now we can reveal that he put life and limb on the line for his musical heroes.

The Sterophonics even played at Wayne and Coleen’s wedding – just before Wayne had the title of the band’s album Just Enough Education To Perform tattooed on his arm.

But now it’s emerged that a skint young Rooney went to even greater lengths in the name of being a Phonics fan, and rumour has it he had his jaw broken by an employee selling band merchandise when he tried to steal one of the  T-Shirts.