ManchesterOnline

Tevez: I'm no traitor

FORMER United striker Carlos Tevez is confident he will not be viewed as a traitor by the Old Trafford faithful if he completes a transfer to the club's cross-city rivals.

The Argentina international turned down a permanent deal at United last month following a two-year loan deal and has since been linked with a lucrative move to City.

Blues step up Eto'o efforts

BARCELONA are finally ready to smooth the path for Samuel Eto'o to join City.

Joan Laporta, Barca's president, has indicated he is willing to show flexibility over the compensation wrangle at the heart of the Eto'o saga.

Terry bid rejected

CITY have had a £30million bid for England captain John Terry rejected by Chelsea.

As revealed by M.E.N. Sport on Monday, Blues owner Sheikh Mansour and manager Mark Hughes both wanted to bring the 28-year-old centre-back to Eastlands.

Jim to create a blue planet

CITY'S successful Platt Lane talent conveyor belt is to lose supremo Jim Cassell.

But the man with the golden touch is not heading into the sunset - he has a new job heading up a bold initiative to roll out the City academy around the world.

Villa alert for Eto'o swoop

CITY are keeping a close eye on Barcelona's bid to snap up Spain star David Villa.

The Catalan club's projected purchase of the Valencia ace appears to hold the key to the Blues' hopes of landing Barca's strike ace Samuel Eto'o.

Santa's wish-list

WINNING a trophy with Manchester City would be 10 times as good as winning the German title.

And new boy Roque Santa Cruz believes the Blues can end their 33-year hoodoo next season by lifting one of the domestic cups.

Blues eye the big three

CITY can't wait to scale the heights - in fact 25 of their staff are starting this weekend!

As the players knuckle down to pre-season training on Saturday, the hardy group of Blues employees will be attempting to climb the three highest peaks in Britain, to raise money for the New Children's Hospital.

Eto'o can make us winners

MARK Hughes believes Samuel Eto’o is the man to fire City to the next level.

The Blues are keen to conclude a £25m swoop for the Barcelona hitman but are having to play a waiting game as the deal has hit a snag.

Blues Academy to go global

CITY are to turn their successful youth set-up into a global affair.

The Blues have announced plans to open up academy centres around the world, beginning with one in Abu Dhabi.

Santa Cruz: Blues have top four mentality

ROQUE Santa Cruz admitted he got frustrated at times waiting for the chance to work with Mark Hughes again.

Santa Cruz became Hughes’ second major summer signing last week when he completed an £18million move from Blackburn.

Sheikh Mansour gives Blues verdict

CITY owner Sheikh Mansour has declared himself delighted at the progress made at the Eastlands outfit since his takeover last year.

Mansour has been largely content to stay in the background and leave the day-to-day running of the club to chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak and chief executive Garry Cook.

City play waiting game for Eto'o and Tevez

MARK Hughes is prepared to play the waiting game in an attempt to snare Samuel Eto’o and Carlos Tevez.

The City manager is refusing to give up hope of bagging Eto’o in a £25million move from Barcelona, despite the player’s agent claiming on Tuesday the Cameroon star would prefer to remain in Catalonia.

Mills, Sturridge among released

CITY have confirmed the list of players released from the club.

Danny Mills, Daniel Sturridge, Darius Vassell, Glauber Berti, Didi Hamann and Michael Ball will all be playing their football away from Eastlands next season.

City caught in web over Eto'o

CITY are in the driving seat to land Samuel Eto'o but intrigue in Spain is making it a frustrating wait.

As tangled webs go, the one being weaved by Samuel Eto'o's agent and his club Barcleona is among the knotties - and the hopes of City fans everywhere are being caught in its treacherous threads.

Blues eye brand expansion

CITY are to work in tandem with the group responsible for Big Brother to develop their global brand.

While attention has been focused on Mark Hughes' squad building this summer, and in particular an on-going pursuit of Samuel Eto'o, City's Abu Dhabi-based backers are eager to take advantage of the expected explosion of interest in the Eastlands outfit.

Eto'o future in balance

SAMUEL Eto’o would like to stay at Barcelona next season but would be “delighted” to join Manchester City if he can’t agree a new contract with the Spanish champions, the player’s agent has announced.

Eto’o has just one year remaining on his current deal with the Catalan giants and Josep Maria Mesalles is unhappy that the club appear to be forcing Eto’o out against his wishes.

Forward thinking City!

CITY will soon have more strikers than French air traffic control!

Even though the £25m deal to bring in Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o is unlikely to succeed, with City helpless to do anything about it, they could well secure Carlos Tevez as early as Wednesday meaning they will have TEN front-line strikers in a top-heavy squad.

City ticket boost

CITY have sold more than 30,000 season tickets with eight weeks still to go before the start of the new campaign.

Manager Mark Hughes has already strengthened his squad by signing striker Roque Santa Cruz - who is being presented to the media tomorrow - and England midfielder Gareth Barry.

City dream of Terry signing

JOHN Terry, captain of Manchester City and England, holding the World Cup Trophy to the Johannesburg skies.

It is an outlandish vision, for any number of reasons. But, if whispers in the corridors of Eastlands are true, it is a dream which has taken root in the fertile mind of Blues owner Sheikh Mansour.

Maicon eyes Inter stay

INTER Milan right-back and rumoured City target Maicon plans to remain at the San Siro - as long as he is given an improved contract.

The 27-year-old, who was a key figure as Jose Mourinho's Inter clinched a fourth straight Serie A title last term, has been linked with City, Chelsea and Real Madrid this summer.

Blues braced for Eto'o news

REPORTS suggest City target Samuel Eto'o is planning to see out the remaining year of his contract with Barcelona and snub the Blues' "stratospheric" offer.

The situation will be clarified on Tuesday when Eto'o's agent Josep Maria Mesalles holds a press conference to outline the 28-year-old's intentions.

City 'stratospheric' Eto'o bid

CITY have had a £25m bid for Samuel Eto'o accepted by Barcelona and are now trying to thrash out a deal with the player's representatives.

The Spanish club's president Joan Laporta has confirmed that the Blues have made "a stratospheric offer" to the Cameroon striker.

City close in on quartet

CITY are in pursuit of FOUR more signings - but have dismissed outlandish claims which link them with every megastar in the universe.

The Blues have not wavered from the transfer plan they established in spring, and are already a third of the way to their target after capturing Roque Santa Cruz and Gareth Barry.

Micah's got key to great future

MICAH Richards was given the key to the door on Wednesday and he intends to use it to unlock Premier League and international success.

The City defender celebrated his 21st birthday with nothing more exciting than a training session under the watchful eye of England Under-21 boss Stuart Pearce and an early night at the team hotel in Varberg.

Foe remembered

JUNE 26 marks the anniversary Marc-Viven Foe's death.

Foe played on loan for the Blues in the 2002-2003 season and was a fans' favourite for his midfield ability and committed style.

Allardyce: Roque wanted out

BLACKBURN boss Sam Allardyce has admitted new City signing Roque Santa Cruz wanted out of Rovers from the day he took over.

The Blues paid £17m for Paraguay international Santa Cruz on Monday having missed out on the 27-year-old in the January transfer window.

Who's next out of City door?

JOE HART'S departure to Birmingham City on loan is unlikely to be the last temporary exit from Eastlands this summer.

Roque Santa Cruz's arrival from Blackburn Rovers earlier this week could usher Brazilian Jo towards the Blues revolving door for a second time.

Joorabchian drops further Tevez hint

CARLOS Tevez is considering offers from City, Chelsea and one other club, according to the player's adviser Kia Joorabchian - with the Blues in pole position to clinch his signature.

After Tevez decided not to renew his contract with United, Joorabchian commented the Argentinian's future will be defined in "about 10 days".

Gossip: City in Maicon link

CITY have been linked with a swoop for Inter Milan and Brazil defender Maicon.

The 27-year-old right-back, who had a superb season with the Italian champions, has attracted interest from Real Madrid and Chelsea.

Lescott must force City issue

JOLEON Lescott will have to force the issue if he wants to join City.

While the cash-rich Eastlands outfit are refusing to respond to speculation that Mark Hughes is ready to lodge a £15million bid for the England international, Everton are eager to get their response in first.

Roque Santa Cruz: Profile

TOUCHED by tragedy, dusted with glamour, and steeped in glory... the life story of Manchester City's newest signing would be worthy of a Roque movie.

But Roque Luis Santa Cruz Santero is not just a football pin-up boy.

Lescott and Toure on City radar

CITY are now looking for a solid gold defensive setting to show off their stunning attacking gems.

Manager Mark Hughes is still intent on hunting down their first-choice defensive signing of the summer, Joleon Lescott, but his club Everton are digging in their heels despite the £15m price tag. The Blues will also continue their pursuit of Arsenal's £12m-rated Kolo Toure.

Sturridge set for Chelsea

YOUNG striker Danny Sturridge is lined up to join Chelsea when his City contract expires next week, with the fee set to be decided by a tribunal.

Chelsea have offered £3m, but the Blues want a deal which starts at £5m, with add-ons.

Santa in, now for Tevez

CITY have finally landed Roque Santa Cruz - and taken a big step towards giving him a new strike partner.

While the Paraguay international was signing on the dotted line for the Blues on Monday evening, word trickled into Eastlands that Chelsea have dropped out of the race to sign Carlos Tevez.

City sign Taylor

CITY have confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Stuart Taylor from Aston Villa.

Taylor, who follows Gareth Barry from Villa Park to City, will serve as back-up to first-choice goalkeeper Shay Given, with Joe Hart expected to join Birmingham City in a season-long switch in the coming days.

City to beat big guns

CITY had the odds stacked against them.

Taking on Champions League big guns United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Real Madrid and Inter Milan, in a bold bid to sign Argentina international Carlos Tevez, few gave them a prayer.

Roque Santa Cruz: Factfile

CHECK out the key dates in the career of new City signing Roque Santa Cruz.

City sign Santa Cruz

ROQUE Santa Cruz has finally signed for City after passing his medical examination.

The former Blackburn striker put pen to paper at the City of Manchester Stadium after coming through a four-hour scrutiny by City’s medical staff and specialists at a private hospital in Whalley Range.

Rivals battle for Eto'o

UNITED and City are locked in a £20m battle to sign Barcelona ace Samuel Eto'o.

And the Catalan club have told their Cameroon star he will get to decide his destiny, if both Manchester clubs are prepared to pay the asking price.

Barry set for Blues armband

GARETH Barry has been lined up as City's next captain, with Sunderland set to secure the signing of Richard Dunne next month.

City are reluctant to let four-time player of the year Dunne go, but if they can land Joleon Lescott from Everton, plus another central defender, the big Irishman will be surplus to requirements at Eastlands.

City and Chelsea lead Tevez race

CITY and Chelsea are leading the race for Carlos Tevez after he opted against signing a lucrative new deal at United because he “wasn’t the most wanted person” at Old Trafford, according to his advisor Kia Joorabchian.

United chief executive David Gill had been in discussions with Joorabchian, with the aim of keeping the popular Argentina forward.

Santa in bag at City

ROQUE Santa Cruz is set to seal a £17m move to City on Monday - subject to a tough medical examination.

The Blackburn striker is due back from an extended holiday in his native Paraguay tomorrow, with an agreement already in place between the two clubs.

City star Ireland in training - pics

CITY star Stephen Ireland looks like he's started his pre-season fitness training already.

The midfielder took part in an exhausting climb of more than 100 steps, which left him needing a breather as he contemplats taking the Blues to the top next season.

City's Eto'o mission

CITY want Samuel Eto'o to spearhead their attack... and their push to become a global brand.

The Blues are in hot pursuit of the Barcelona strike ace, but face stiff competition, primarily from Inter Milan.

Blues support wowed chairman

CITY chairman Khaldoon al Mubarak says he was bowled over by the passion of Blues' fans when he first came to Manchester.

The Emirates businessman has promised, along with owner Sheikh Mansour, to end 33 years of hurt Blue pride.

Blues eye Villa keeper

CITY have lined up a deal to bring in Aston Villa goalkeeper Stuart Taylor as cover for first-choice Shay Given.

The Blues are expected to loan England under-21 stopper Joe Hart to Birmingham to give him valuable experience, and Taylor is a dependable, experienced 28-year-old with a Premier League winner's medal from his eight-year spell as understudy at Arsenal.

City close on Santa Cruz capture

MANCHESTER City expect to complete the £15million signing of Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz on Monday.

Santa Cruz is still on holiday, but is set to undergo a medical before finally joining up with his old boss Mark Hughes at the start of next week.

City fight for Dunne and Robinho

CITY chairman Khaldoon al Mubarak has revealed that the Blues will place quality over quantity as he plans to splash the cash again this summer.

But the mega-rich Blues must first fend off interest in two of their existing stars, Richard Dunne and Robinho.

City 2009/2010 fixture list

MANCHESTER City open up their 2009/2010 Premier League campaign with a trip to Blackburn Rovers.

The game is followed up by three more gritty August fixtures in the form of Everton (home), Wolves (home) and Portsmouth (away). The first Manchester derby is at Old Trafford on September 19, with the return game at Eastlands on April 17.

City rubbish Robinho rumour

CITY have rubbished rumours that Brazilian star Robinho could be on his way to Barcelona.

Reports in the Spanish press have linked the 25-year-old with a loan deal to the Nou Camp. But City's chief executive Garry Cook said: "The story is completely without foundation."

City eye six more signings

CITY are looking to bring in up to six more players in the summer transfer window, but won’t be forced into paying “joke” money for them.

Having already forked out £12m to bring in Gareth Barry, Blues chairman Khaldoon al Mubarak has revealed that was only just the start. But he admits he is frustrated by the criticism the club has received since January’s takeover.

City's Likely Lads

JIM Cassell has backed his latest batch of feisty young Blues to challenge the first team's superstars.

City's much-vaunted Academy has been at the nub of the team's revival in recent years, but now it faces a tough new challenge as the club starts splashing the cash.

Micah on a mission

MICAH Richards aims to ride the City roller-coaster all the way into next summer’s World Cup finals.

The defender’s place in the team could come under pressure as City step up their pursuit of big-name transfers - especially with Everton’s Joleon Lescott firmly in their sights.

Hughes closes on £15m Santa Cruz

CITY will are stepping up their pursuit of Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz following the Paraguayan ace's return from holiday.

The Blues are still hot favourites to finally land the player at the fifth time of asking.

Caicedo in demand

YOUNG Blues striker Felipe Caicedo claims City have told him they want him to remain at Eastlands after strong interest from Sporting Lisbon, West Ham and at least one Spanish club.

The Ecuador international said Lisbon had talked to City about a move.

Comment: Blues not the new Chelsea

CHELSEA made it all look so easy, didn't they? Find yourself a mega-rich new owner, sack your moderately successful manager, buy a galaxy of new stars, et voila - back-to-back Premier League titles.

Now the more impatient sections of Manchester City's support are grinding their teeth, kicking their heels and furiously assaulting their computer keyboards, wondering when the Blues will follow the Chelsea blueprint.

Mixed fortunes for Micah

CITY defender Micah Richards scored the winner for England Under-21's against Finland - but boss Stuart Pearce has called for significant improvement if his youngsters are to eventually win the European Championships in Sweden.

Richards headed home eight minutes after the break, but then limped off injured, and sterner tests are ahead as Spain and Germany are the other countries in Group B.

Blue eyes turn towards Crouch

PETER Crouch has made City sit up and take notice by hinting he wants to leave Portsmouth.

The Blues still aim to sign at least two more top-level strikers this summer with Roque Santa Cruz expected to be the first this week.

England's City slickers

CITY players could be proudly carrying the England banner into battle in South Africa in a year's time.

If Mark Hughes' summer spending plans come to fruition, the Blues are likely to have four men in Fabio Capello's final 23 for the World Cup finals.