Manchester City to make opening €37m bid in battle for Fabregas

The Premier League champions want to bring the Barcelona midfielder back to England in light of speculation surrounding Yaya Toure's future, but Arsenal are also in the race

By Wayne Veysey

Manchester City are preparing to table a €37 million offer for Cesc Fabregas amid interest from his former club Arsenal, Goal understands.

The Premier League champions have decided to make a formal move for the Barcelona midfielder, who has been told he can leave Camp Nou this summer.

City are ready to bid imminently for Fabregas in an attempt to lure the 27-year-old back to the Premier League, while Goal also understands Arsenal have not ruled out a move for their former captain, with the Gunners closely monitoring his situation.

The Londoners are preparing to put together a package to compete with City in the race for the midfielder, who remains on good terms with manager Arsene Wenger despite effectively going on strike to force through his transfer to Barcelona in 2011. 

There is also interest from Liverpool and Chelsea, who are in the market for a central midfielder after Frank Lampard confirmed he is leaving the club.

Goal revealed in May that Barcelona would listen to offers for Fabregas this summer as they looked to free up funds to reshape their midfield.

Barca and their new coach Luis Enrique are looking to sign Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke and have told Fabregas he can find a new club.

Under the terms of the buy-back clause in Fabregas' Barcelona contract, the Catalan club would have to inform Arsenal of any bid for the player and give them the opportunity to match it.

City are ready to make the first move for Fabregas amid growing uncertainty over the future of Yaya Toure,who has made it clear he is not entirely happy at the Etihad Stadium.

Wenger also remains a huge admirer of Fabregas and is weighing up a move for his former protege despite appearing to have a wealth of technically adept attacking midfielders in his squad. The pair spoke regularly on the phone last summer about the Spain international returning to the club where he blossomed into one of Europe's outstanding young midfielders.

The Barca academy graduate is at a crossroads in his career as he enters the final two years of his contract with the Catalan club in July.

Fabregas was jeered by home supporters during Barcelona's 2-1 home victory over Athletic Bilbao in April and became a scapegoat towards the end of last season.

Barcelona? PSG will decide - Marquinhos

The Brazilian has been strongly linked with a move to Barcelona this summer and admits the interest from the Catalan giants is flattering

Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos claims he will "wait and see" whether the Ligue 1 champions will consider selling him amidst continued reports linking him with Barcelona.

The 20-year-old, who moved to Parc des princes last summer from Roma in a €35 million deal, is rumoured to be one of the Blaugrana's priority transfer targets as they look to bolster their defence prior to next season.

PSG, who are poised to make David Luiz the most expensive defender in history as they near completion of a €49m deal for the Chelsea man, could well be forced to sanction some high-profile sales this summer after they were hit by Uefa sanctions for breaching Financial Fair Play regulations.

And Marquinhos, who claimed victory in the Toulon Tournament over the weekend with the Brazil Under-20 side, admits he will allow PSG to make a decision over his future before considering a possible switch to Catalunya.

"Barcelona are a great team. I'm going to wait and see what PSG will decide," he told TV3.

"This interest proves to me that I've made some good performances, but I have yet to prove many things."

Marquinhos, who has a contract until 2018 with PSG, made 32 appearances for Laurent Blanc's side last season.

Eto'o mocks Mourinho... yet again

The 33-year-old striker poked fun at the Chelsea manager once more after his goal against Germany on Sunday, with a celebration referencing the coach's remarks over his age

Samuel Eto'o has yet again mocked Jose Mourinho after celebrating a goal in Cameroon's 2-2 friendly draw against Germany on Sunday night.

Mourinho was caught on camera lamenting the quality of the forwards at his disposal at a sponsors' event in Switzerland in February, and suggested that Eto'o could be older than he claims to be.

The 33-year-old striker netted the first goal against Joachim Low's side on Sunday, and repeated the celebration he first unveiled against Tottenham where he held his back in mock pain and used the corner flag as a walking stick.

Despite the previously strong relationship between the pair at Inter helping to secure Eto'o's signature last summer, the forward has since labelled Mourinho both a "fool" and a "puppet", and has been released by the Stamford Bridge side.

"Today, I am 33-years-old - and it is not because a fool called me an old man that you must believe it,"Eto'o said on 15 May, while he believes he did more at his age than Mourinho's other striking options last season.

"Contrary to what a puppet says about my age, I am still physically fit. At 33, I feel really good. I have proven that I can do better than the younger players," he said a week later.

Goal understands that Eto'o is in talks with Chinese side Guangzhou Evergrande over a move, though his high wage demands may prove a stumbling block.

Another Chelsea forward, Andre Schurrle, also netted in the friendly as both Germany and Cameroon stepped up their preparations for the World Cup.

HOUSTON ELIMINATES GENDER-BASED RESTROOMS

It’s now legal for men to use women’s bathrooms, showers, and dressing facilities – and vice-versa – thanks to the passing of the Equal Rights Ordinance in Houston, TX last Wednesday night.

Mayor Parker, Houston’s first openly gay mayor, called it “most personally meaningful thing I will ever do as mayor.”

The ordinance’s stated goal is to eliminate discrimination in housing and employment for gays, transgenders – 14-characteristics in total – including race, ethnicity, age, religion and disability.

Opponents have 30 days to attain more than 17,000 petition signatures to appeal the decision.

Careful next time you venture into a restroom in Houston, you and your kids might get an eyeful of something you didn’t expect.

HOUSTON –

The emotional battle over the controversial Equal Rights Ordinance finally came to an end Wednesday night at Houston City Hall. City Council passed the ordinance in an 11-6 vote.

Wednesday’s meeting began at 9 a.m. and continued until 8 p.m. as speakers were given a chance to add their voices to the debate before council voted.

According to the city secretary, the issue prompted 209 people to speak on the proposed ordinance — the biggest turnout the public comments council has seen.

The ordinance bans discrimination in housing and employment, and would extend protections to Houston’s gay and transgender community.

Also included among the 14 now-protected characteristics were race, ethnicity, age, religion and disability.

“This ordinance covers all of those categories,” Mayor Annise Parker said moments after the vote. “It is a good step forward for the city of Houston.“

While people spoke in front of city leaders, a group protested outside the building.

“I’m against it. I believe the word of God is specific about it,” said William Sutherland.

Some City Council members said their offices have been bombarded with calls and emails from people who don’t think the ordinance should pass.

Houston City Council Member Michael Kubosh said he doesn’t like that violators would face stiff penalties.

“It’s going to criminalize people that have been found in violation in the ordinance and the fine could be between $500-$5,000,” said Kubosh.

Late Wednesday, Parker officially signed the ordinance, which goes into effect immediately.

Despite the ordinance passing, some are vowing to continue the fight at the ballot box.

Opponents of the ordinance have 30 days to collect the more than 17,000 petition signatures needed to appeal the decision.“There are people throughout the city that will not let this stand,” said Jonathon Saenz, the president of Texas Values. “There are people talking about recalls and referendums.”

Parker said Houston was the only major city that doesn’t have an equal rights ordinance.

Immobile: I will play for Dortmund

The Italy international says signing his contract with the Bundesliga side is a mere formality and added that the whole Italy squad feels sorry for injured Riccardo Montolivo

Ciro Immobile insists he will be a Borussia Dortmund player next season as he moves closer to a transfer from Torino.

The 24-year-old, who was top scorer in Serie A last season with 22 goals, has long been linked with a summer switch to Jurgen Klopp's side, with Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc confirming earlier this week that talks between the clubs had been "promising."

Speaking after Italy's 0-0 draw with Republic of Ireland, Immobile insisted that he simply needs to put pen to paper on a contract with the Bundesliga runners-up before he can officially secure the move.

"It is done, I told you some time ago," he told RAI Sport. "Now I'm just waiting to put my signature on the contract."

AC Milan captain Riccardo Montolivo suffered a broken leg in the clash at Craven Cottage, ruling him out of the World Cup and Immobile admits the whole squad has been shaken by the blow.

"It was a friendly game," he continued. "We are sorry for Montolivo, we know how much he wanted to be with us. We hope he can come back soon.

"I was excited to debut as a starter. We had heavy legs, but we are working hard."

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Luka Rakitic: My son has offers from Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico

The father of the Sevilla star claims the top three Liga clubs in 2013-14 want to sign his son, but hinted the Blaugrana are the preferred option

The father of Sevilla midfielder Ivan Rakitic says his son has received offers from Real Madrid, Barcelonaand Atletico Madrid.

The Croatia international scored 12 goals in 34 league appearances last term, as well as being a crucial player in Los Rojiblancos' Europa League-winning campaign.

And, according to the player's father, his performances have not gone unnoticed by Spain's top three teams last season.

“His brother Dejan, who is his agent, has offers on the table from Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atlético," Luka Rakitic told Croatian newspaper Jutarnji. "But we’ll decide after the World Cup.

“However, the conditions on offer are not better than those he has at Sevilla. He is a God there.”

Meanwhile, Luka Rakitic also talked about which club his son might prefer. “Barcelona are still Barcelona,” he added.

Seedorf: I've had no contact from AC Milan

The Dutchman claims he is grateful for the support of the club's fans as Filippo Inzaghi is lined up to replace him as head coach

AC Milan coach Clarence Seedorf says he has had no contact from the club as speculation mounts about his future.

Seedorf's future at the club has been shrouded in doubt for some weeks and the Milan hierarchy have lined up Primavera coach Filippo Inzaghi as his replacement for this summer.

And the Dutchman has confirmed he is in the dark over whether he will take charge of the team next season, though he admits he appreciates the support of the Rossoneri faithful.

"I'm reading everything, just like you," he told Sport Mediaset.

"I have had no communication from the club.

"I'm well, I've been spending some time with my family and friends. The affection of all the fans I've been bumping into has really pleased me.

"I can say 'Forza Milan' because Milan will always be there, like the fans."

Seedorf, who replaced Massimiliano Allegri in January, could only guide Milan to an eighth-placed finish in the 2013-14 season.

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