Inter striker Mario Balotelli signs five-year contract at Manchester City

Italy international finally completes move to Eastlands...

Balotelli, 19, had been chased by City all summer, with manager Roberto Mancini eager for a reunion with the player he handed his Inter debut in 2007. The Italy international's arrival - for a rumoured £24 million - is believed to have pushed the Blues summer spending past the £100m mark after Yaya Toure, Jerome Boateng, David Silva and Aleksandar Kholarov were brought in previously.

Speaking to the Blues' official website, Mancini laid out the welcome mat for the attacker he described as "one of the best players of his age in Europe".

He said: "I think that Mario is one of the best players of his age in Europe, and I very happy to be working with him again," the manager told City's official website.

Here are the best goal that Balloteli score during his days at Inter Milan...

Ps. Check it out

Santos striker Neymar agrees move to Chelsea

Santos starlet Neymar has agreed to join Chelsea in the next few days, according to latest reports.

Folha de Sao Paulo claims that in a meeting held in New York the decision to allow the Brazilian international striker to leave Santos was finalised.

It's been reported that the meeting was held in the presence of the player, his father, agent Wagner Ribeiro, Santos president Luiz Alvaro de Oliveira Ribeiro, Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck and agent Pini Zahavi. Neymar agreed to sign for the Blues, who will pay Santos €25 million (£20.7m).

Neymar has been the target of Chelsea all summer and at one point it appeared that the move had fallen through when Santos officially rejected a €20 million (£16.5m) bid from the English giants. However, with Neymar having agreed to put pen to paper, it now appears that an official announcement will be made in the next few days.

Sunderland sign Manchester City's Nedum Onuoha in loan deal

Defender says with Steve Bruce's help, he 'can't go far wrong'...

Sunderland have completed a second defensive signing in 24 hours by confirming a long-rumoured loan deal for Manchester City's Nedum Onuoha.

The former U21 England international was facing an uncertain future at Eastlands following a raft of big-money signings, but now will have the chance to compete for regular Premier League football at the Stadium of Light.

"It's an exciting move for me, to be honest," Onuoha told Sunderland's official website.

"The way things were going for me at Manchester City, I didn't really think I was going to be a part of things this season. Steve Bruce had mentioned an interest in me and to have him wanting me was a great thing.

"I've come here to learn and develop myself and with someone like Steve at the helm, I can't go too far wrong.

"I'm looking forward to the first game. I didn't really see myself being in contention at City, but hopefully I have the same chance as everyone else here."

The 23-year-old has spent his entire career at Eastlands but is believed to have been frozen out after another summer of big spending saw Jerome Boateng, among others, arrive.

With new Premier League regulations limiting squad sizes to 25, Onuoha is understood to have been shown the exit door by manager Roberto Mancini. His arrival will increase Bruce's defensive options, along with fellow signing Titus Bramble.

Roberto Mancini is widely expected to sell a host of players, including Stephen Ireland, as he trims his current squad to 25 players while also tying up deals to bring Aston Villa midfielder James Milner and Inter Milan’s Mario Balotelli to the club.

Ireland will reportedly be used as a makeweight in a £26 million deal involving Milner that is expected to be completed in the next 48 hours.

Restrictions placed upon Premier League clubs this season could also mean strikers Roque Santa Cruz and Craig Bellamy leave the club, especially if Mancini completes the signing of Balotelli as expected.

Manchester United Sign Portuguese striker 'Bebe'

Striker is the third summer arrival at Old Trafford...

Manchester United have announced that they have agreed a deal to sign Portuguese striker Bebe from Vitoria de Guimaraes for an undisclosed fee.

The striker, whose full name is Tiago Manuel Dias Correia, was raised in an orphanage has represented Portugal at the homeless World Cup after spending time on the streets as a child.

He only joined Guimaraes on a five year deal from Estrala da Amadora five weeks ago, with reports suggesting that United have met the release clause in his contract.

United confirmed the deal on their official website this evening, with the player still to undergo a medical later this week.

"Manchester United is pleased to announce it has reached agreement with Portuguese club Vitoria de Guimaraes for the purchase of 20-year-old striker Tiago Manuel Dias Correia (better known as "Bebe") for an undisclosed fee, subject to a successful medical in Manchester later this week. Personal terms have been agreed with the Cacém-born (Portugal) forward."

Bebe is the third player to arrive at Old Trafford this summer after the signings of Chris Smalling from Fulham and Javier Hernandez from Chivas.

Christian Poulsen joins Liverpool from Juventus for £4.5m

Juventus have today announced that Danish midfielder Christian Poulsen has joined Liverpool in a deal worth £4.5 million (€5.475m).

The fee will be paid in two installments, with just under half being paid when the player signs his contract with the Reds and a second installment in July 2011.

A further £1m could be payable depending upon appearances made and other factors.

Liverpool have been heavily linked with Poulsen this summer, although reports this week indicated that they perhaps would not move for the player until Javier Mascherano, who has been linked with Barcelona and Inter, left Anfield.

Mascherano admitted though on Wednesday evening that he was seeking a lifestyle change away from England and it would now look almost certain that he will leave Merseyside, with his agent in Spain insisting that a deal with Barcelona was on the cards.

There has been no official confirmation from Liverpool that the deal has been concluded as yet.

O'neil Out..5 days before the premier league started

Martin O’Neill quit as Aston Villa manager only five days before the start of the season because he feels he has not been given the funds this summer to challenge for
Premier League.

The tipping point for the Northern Irishman came when he was told by Villa owner Randy Lerner that he would not be given any of the proceeds from the sale of James Milner to use in the transfer market

It is understood that the £15 million down payment that Villa have agreed with Manchester City for Milner’s services will go straight to the club’s coffers.

Lerner felt that makeweight Stephen Ireland, whose market value has proved the sticking point for the transfer, will suffice as an adequate replacement for the England attacking midfielder.

O’Neill’s relationship with Lerner had become increasingly fraught over the last 12 months as the American tightened the purse strings at Villa Park.

Lerner is believed to have become perplexed that, after being heavily backed in the transfer market in the summers of 2008 and 2009, when the club spent £48.4m and £35m respectively, O’Neill has not been able to make the final push beyond three consecutive top-six placings in the Premier League.

“It has been boiling for a while,” a Villa source said tonight of O’Neill’s departure. “In April, when he had a meeting with Lerner in which he was told he wouldn’t have the same money to spend as in the two previous summers, he told friends that he wasn’t going to be at the club next season.

“O’Neill wants to win trophies, not have to settle for top six. The timing is surprising but he will have known for a while he was leaving.”

The former Celtic manager had also become frustrated that his power at the club had declined over the last 18 months after Paul Faulkner, who has recently been promoted from chief operating officer to chief executive, was given full responsibility for negotiating transfers and contracts.

“For his first few years at the club, O’Neill had an unusually big say in day-to-day business for a modern Premier League manager,” added another source. “His decision-making powers included a role in negotiations and how much players should earn but Lerner wanted checks and balances on his power.”

O'Neill cut an increasingly unhappy and divisive figure at Villa Park last season. He became increasingly tetchy in his dealings with the media and minor disagreements frequently spilled over into rows.

Lerner is understood to have become increasingly disappointed at Villa’s failure to break into the top four. There have been question marks at boardroom level over why O’Neill did not utilise his full squad after their form fell away in the final months of the season in two consecutive years.

“There were four players on the bench earning £40,000-a-week – Steve Sidwell, Habib Beye, Luke Young and Nicky Shorey,” explained the second source. “Lerner gave O’Neill the money to buy players but felt he didn’t use them. Over the last two seasons, it came to March and they were twice within a short distance of the top four but the manager didn’t freshen things up.”

Although there is no indication that Lerner wants to sell the club, sources close to the American say he wants to rein in his spending for 12-18 months.

Since O’Neill took over at Villa in 2006, the Midlands club have the third biggest net spend on transfers – averaging £16.5m per season – behind only Manchester City and Tottenham.

This Means:

*Ashley Yong would be available in transfer market.

Tottenham official webside has confrim that Harry Redknapp is interested in player and would offer 18 million for him before the tranfer window close and also can offer him champions league football next season.

*James Milner would be sold in cut price .
Manchester City offcial webside has confrim that the club has offer 25 million and also Wrightphillips for an exchange for the England star but rejected by Martin O'neil but now maybe they can just swoop him by

15 million

*friedel wants out.
Already been dissappointment not been the frist choice goalkeeper in the USA squad at the world cup and also at the age of 38 still have 2 years before he decides his retiredment and did't qualify for the champion league make a major reason why he wants out of the club.Rumour's are saying Arsenel are reportedly interested in the USA veteran goalkeeper cause the lack of form by their frist choice keeper (Manual Almunia).And they are also ready to offer 2 million for the stopper.

Top 20 Of The Best Summer 2010 So Far

Which players have been the best buys and top movers?

Each European transfer window, i decides on the best acquisitions, in order from 1 to 20, and i encourage you to let i know your thoughts

I judge based on:

-The player's overall ability (this being the most important factor)

-How the player will fit into his new line-up

-How the player will adapt to his new surroundings, and vice-versa

-The transfer fee payable, if any, and any other financial details known. (Transfer fees unconfirmed by either club are given as approximations and are marked in italics.)

For the reason that players arriving on permanent deals tend to be more adaptable and often more important, there is preference given to full transfers over loans. That is not to say that loans, co-ownerships etc. cannot be included, but players must be extra special to justify a space on such a move.

With all of that explained, it's time to see the list! Remember,i will be updating about this Blog until the end of the transfer window, at which point i will show you the final ranking of this years summer signing.




1.Barcelona - Valencia - £33

The blockbuster deal of the summer so far.'El Guaje' will add more firepower to an already explosive Barcelona attack. After his successful World Cup exploits with Spain, he should be the odds on favourite to win the Pichichi.



2.Arsenal - Bordeaux - Free

A classic Arsenal value buy that has the potential to be an extremely saavy signing. The ex-Bordeaux striker gives the Gunners a much needed aerial presence up front and could terrorise opposing backlines this season with Robin van Persie.



3.Manchester City - Barcelona - £24m

City have flexed their financial muscle this summer and the Ivorian adds more steel to an already industrial strength midfield. Will team up with brother Kolo on the defensive side for the Citizens.



4.Wolfsburg - Palermo - £11.6m

Wolfsburg pulled one the coups of the summer by luring the defensive stalwart to the Bundesliga. The German outfit beat such heavyweights as Manchester United, Liverpool and AC Milan to the punch to land the highly-rated Danish defender.



5.Barcelona - Sevilla - £7.9m + add-ons

Joins former Sevilla team-mate Dani Alves at Barcelona and the wing-back gives coach Pep Guardiola another weapon to unleash against his opponents across a variety of positions.



6.Manchester City - Valencia - £25m

The uber-talented winger takes his trickery to Manchester after seven years in Spain. Did not play a major role in la Furia Roja's triumph in South Africa but will hope to justify his lofty price-tag by helping City qualify for the Champions League.



7.Chelsea - Liverpool - Free

The England winger will have something to prove after his substitute's role in South Africa and his unceremonious departure from Stamford Bridge, where he was deemed surplus to requirements. Chelsea's discarded trash could prove to be Liverpool's treasure.



8.Real Madrid - Getafe - £8.3m

Makes the intra-city switch to the Merengues after helping Getafe qualify for the Europa League with a sixth-place finish. Comfortable with the ball at his feet the versatile winger could surprise many who have yet to see him play.



9.Manchester City - Lazio - £16m

The Serb will be keen to show off his rocket of a left foot for the Citizens. His marauding runs into opposition territory will sorely be missed by Lazio fans but will be a thing to behold for the City faithful at Eastlands.



10.Manchester United - Chivas Guadalajara - £8m

'Chicharito' makes the jump from Mexico to England with the Red Devils. He did his reputation no harm at the World Cup with Mexico and has already been hailed as 'first class' by new manager Alex Ferguson. Hernandez is definitely one for the future.



11.Atletico Madrid - Deportivo La Coruna - £10m

The dynamic Brazilian left-back will hope to put the horrific injury he suffered last season behind him and force his way into Mano Menezes' new look Selecao squad with an impressive campaign for Atletico. Gives los Colchoneros an attacking threat from the back as they look to improve on their disappointing ninth-place finish last term.



12.Valencia - Galatasaray - £3.3m

The 24-year-old leaves his homeland for a Spanish adventure and will be entrusted with the task of protecting his new side's back four. The Euro 2008 participant could end up being an inspired purchase at a bargain-basement price.



13.AS Roma - Flamengo - Free

'The Emperor' will win over the hearts and minds of the Roman people if he can lead the Giallorossi to their first Serie A title since the 2000-01 campaign. He needs to exorcise the demons that haunted him at Inter to break his old club's stranglehold on the Scudetto.



14.Valencia - Getafe - £6.6m

Los Che are relying on Soldado to fill the shoes of the departed David Villa. The former Real Madrid man could be the striker to fire in enough goals to eradicate the duopoly at the top of the Liga table.



15.Liverpool - Standard Liege - Free

The price was certainly right for the cash strapped Reds to snap up the Serbian attacker from Standard Liege. Jovanovic can win over the Anfield faithful with the type of performances that saw him win the Jupiler League's Player of the Year in 2009.



16.Juventus - Bari - £12.8m

Succumbed to the Old Lady's advances and has the potential to be Italy's next great centre-back. He should slot in nicely beside Giorgio Chiellini to minimise the defensive mishaps that plagued the Bianconeri last season.



17.Real Madrid - Stuttgart - £11.25m

He was one of the first names on Germany coach Joachim Loew's team sheet in the World Cup. He used the South African jamboree as his coming out party and his solid showings convinced Real Madrid to come calling for his services.



18.Chelsea - Liverpool - £5.5m

Parlayed his successful 2009-10 campaign with Liverpool into a move to Stamford Bridge. With Joe Cole and Michael Ballack no longer at the club the Israeli playmaker might be able to find room to strut his stuff in the midfield.



19.RB New York - Barcelona - Free

Traded the hot summer nights in Barcelona for the bright lights of the Big Apple. The ex-Gunner already came back to haunt old north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in a pre-season friendly with New York Red Bulls and has shown early signs of creating a formidable partnership with former Premier League striker Juan Pablo Angel.



20.Schalke - Real Madrid - Free

With playing time set to be limited under new Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho, Raul opted to leave the Blancos for Bundesliga outfit Schalke. He has impressed in the pre-season so far and should be a legitimate goalscoring threat for Felix Magath's side.

Tottenham Hotspur's £400m plans to redevelop White Hart Lane

Tottenham Hotspur have encountered a setback in their £400 million plan to redevelop White Hart Lane that will delay the application by another two months.

Spurs submitted a re-worked proposal to Haringey Council in May that they hoped would alleviate the concerns raised by conservationists about the original proposal presented last October.

the club web side has learned that the revised plan still needs to be amended because of transport issues relating to the building of the supermarket that is crucial to the funding of the project.

The Premier League club were hoping that the scheme would go before the Council’s planning committee this month but sources say it will now have to be rescheduled for one of two dates in September because there are no meetings in August.

It is believed that Spurs have an agreement with Sainsbury’s for the supermarket giant to build an 11,000 square metre megastore on the 20-acre Northumberland Park site.

The supermarket plan includes 401 parking spaces and planning officials are concerned about the amount of traffic on the roads on matchdays. Both parties are working on various amendments, including re-routing the traffic and building a secondary exit on another road.


A Haringey Council planning source close to the Tottenham application told Goal.com UK: “I think it is resolvable but we are still working on various issues. The buses have to be able to keep moving and people have to be able to get in and out of the car park.”

The supermarket, which insiders say will be the biggest in the borough of Haringey, forms Phase 1 of the development and will be one of the first buildings to be completed.

If the development, which includes a 56,250-seat stadium, a 150-bedroom hotel, 200 homes and a supermarket, is approved when it eventually goes before the council, it will not be the end of the planning process.

Before Spurs can start formulating a proposal for development, they will have to overcome a number of other hurdles, including gaining the approval of statutory organisations such as the Mayor of London and the Secretary of State.

Nevertheless, the club hope to start building work next year and have the new ‘silver ring’ stadium ready by the 2013-14 season.

The club, which qualified for the Champions League for the first time in May, believe they have outgrown their current home, which can hold only 36,214 fans. They have another 23,000 on the waiting list for season tickets.

Spurs’ proposal is to build a new stadium to the north of the current site. Two-thirds of the new structure will be built around the current ground while matches continue, before games switch to a pitch in the new, unfinished stadium as work is completed.

Champions League 2010-11 play-off draw

The play-off draw for the 2010-11 Champions League took place in Nyon, Switzerland on Friday, and saw Tottenham Hotspur drawn against Swiss side BSC Young Boys.

Spurs avoided potentially difficult ties against Sampdoria and Braga, but will be under no illusions as to the task that faces them when they head to the Wankdorf Stadium for the first leg of their clash, which will take place on August 17 or 18.

Elsewhere, the pick of ties arguably sees Werder Bremen face Sampdoria, while Dynamo Kiev face Ajax and Braga will clash with Iberian neighbours Sevilla. Zenit St. Petersburg and Auxerre complete the non-champions draw.


In the draw for champion club sides: Salzburg will play Hapoel Tel Aviv, Rosenborg drew near-neighbours Copenhagen, Basel face Moldova's unknown quantity Sheriff, Sparta Prague head to Zilina and Partizan Belgrade face a tasty tie against Anderlecht.


Young Boys had previously carved out a sensational 1-0 victory over Turkish heavyweights Fenerbahce to send them crashing out, while Portuguese outfit SC Braga, Ukrainian giants Dynamo Kyiv and prominent Russian club Zenit St Petersburg made their way into the play-offs as well.

Ajax endured a shaky route into the current stage of the competition, as they qualified on away goals against PAOK FC.

Spurs were seeded for this stage owing to UEFA club coefficient rankings. This will be a chance for Spurs to compete amongst the European elite for the first time in 48 years, having finished in a monumental fourth position in the Premier League last season.

Equally sensational, if not more, was the club's last appearance in the competition, when they beat a Benfica side that boasted of the likes of the legendary Eusebio 2-1 at home.

However, the victory was not enough as the Portuguese giants went on to progress to the final through a 4-3 aggregate before going on the lift the trophy.

Fast forward 48 years, and there are 20 teams in the draw for the play-offs, divided into two groups containing five seeded and five unseeded teams.

A total of ten double headers will be played on August 17 & 18 (first leg) and then on August 24 & 25 (second leg) to determine the ten teams that will join the 22 automatic qualifiers to compete in the group stage of the tournament.

play-off draw

Salzburg vs Hapoel Tel Aviv
Rosenborg vs Kobenhavn
Basel vs Sheriff
Sparta Praha vs Zilina
Partizan vs Anderlecht
Young Boys vs Tottenham Hotspur
Braga vs Sevilla
Werder Bremen vs Sampdoria
Zenit St Petersburg vs Auxerre
Dynamo Kyiv vs Ajax