A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Juve open formal talks for Tevez
JUVENTUS HAVE opened formal talks with Manchester City to sign Carlos Tevez in the form of a series of telephone calls direct to Roberto Mancini from Pavel Nedved, a key director for the Italian club.
Nedved, the former Czech Republic international, has spoken to Mancini several times in his role setting up Juventus’s transfer business. The Serie A club have proposed a €25 million package but City are hopeful they can get more than that in the face of rival interest from Milan and Paris St-Germain.
Tevez’s preference would be to join Milan but all they have offered so far is a loan deal to the end of the season, leading to a possible €20.5m move next summer. City are adamant they will not entertain the idea of a loan and there is scepticism at the Etihad Stadium about whether Milan have the financial power to return with a suitable offer. PSG certainly have the money, backed by Qatari owners.
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Chelsea deny Cole's City taunts
CHELSEA HAVE denied that Ashley Cole taunted Manchester City players immediately after Monday night’s 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge.
Cole is reported to have incited a confrontation in the tunnel by mocking City over their group exit from the Champions League.
However, Chelsea insist the England left back did not make the comments and stress that he is on good terms with City. “Contrary to reports, Ashley Cole did not say anything to the opposition in the tunnel after Monday’s game,” said a Chelsea spokesman.
“Ashley has huge respect for the players and staff at Manchester City, many of whom he knows personally and calls friends.”
City manager Roberto Mancini stated after the game there had been a heated exchange in the tunnel between players from both teams. “I don’t know if Cole said something. I don’t know what he said. I don’t understand,” he said.
McCarthy says Fletcher's not for sale
WOLVES MANAGER Mick McCarthy has made it clear Steven Fletcher is not for sale despite his headline-hitting form. Fletcher’s six goals in 10 Premier League matches this season, and five in his last six in particular, have ensured he is currently hot property.
With the January transfer window looming, McCarthy is wary of the vultures who could look to prise away the 24-year-old Scotland international. “He’s a Premier League player scoring goals so he’s going to get headlines. Players always do when they’re scoring goals,” McCarthy said.
Asked if he felt Fletcher would be a transfer target, McCarthy said: “No. If I say yes then I’ve suddenly put him up for sale haven’t I? So, categorically, no.”
Brown leaves Preston
PRESTON HAVE announced that manager Phil Brown has left the club with immediate effect.
Brown joined North End in January 2011 and failed to keep them in the Championship.
The club hoped they would be returning at the first possible attempt but are currently languishing in 10th, five points from the play-offs, having only won one of their previous 11 outings.
Suarez abuse hearing expected to last two days
THE FOOTBALL Association’s disciplinary hearing into claims that Liverpool striker Luis Suarez racially abused Manchester United defender Patrice Evra began yesterday.
Suarez has been charged with abusing Evra, and referring to his “ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race” by the FA.
The hearing is expected to last for two days, with the outcome expected by the end of the week. Both players are due to give evidence to the hearing.
The charge followed a month-long investigation and the Uruguay striker immediately denied the accusation. Liverpool say they remain “fully supportive” of the 24-year-old.
Evra made the claims immediately after the match at Anfield on October 15th, telling French TV station Canal Plus Suarez had used a racist insult to him “at least 10 times”.
Schwarzer out with spinal injury
FULHAM GOALKEEPER Mark Schwarzer faces up to six weeks on the sidelines with a spinal injury.
The Australia international sustained the injury during Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Swansea and saw a specialist consultant last night.
Schwarzer has now been diagnosed with a compression injury to his thoracic spine and will be unavailable for between four and six weeks.
