Pro Eleven Headline News

Manchester City close on Bridge deal

Mark Hughes is known to be a long-term admirer of the England international left-back and is expected to spend heavily in the January transfer window.

City are keen to improve their squad defensively, with the club's backline having failed to convince over the course of a season that has seen them concede 30 league goals to date.

In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports News earlier on Thursday, Hughes confirmed he was hopeful of bringing in new players sooner rather than later.

It is expected Hughes will return to former club Blackburn in a bid to land Roque Santa Cruz, but it is the Bridge deal that looks closer to completion.

Bridge is well regarded at Stamford Bridge but has almost always had to play second fiddle to Ashley Cole, since the left-back's move to the club from Arsenal in 2006.

Backed by the Abu Dhabi United Group it is expected City will be by far the biggest spenders in the transfer window. SkySports


Real Madrid to step up bid to lure Arsene Wenger and Cesc Fabregas from Arsenal

The Spanish champions have long identified Wenger as the coach they want above all others and, despite having three previous approaches turned down, will attempt to exploit difficulties at the Emirates Stadium with a huge offer, according to reports in the Daily Mirror .

Wenger has always maintained that he would never break a contract and his current deal at Arsenal runs through to 2011.

The Frenchman’s 12-and-a-half year reign at the club has seen him secure three Premier League titles, two doubles and an appearance in the Champions League final.

However, the last title came back in 2004 and no silverware has been won since the 2005 FA Cup and Wenger’s position has become a matter of debate for the first time since he was greeted on arrival in London with one headline asking ‘Arsene who?’

Real installed former Tottenham manager Juande Ramos as manager until the end of the season though he is viewed as a temporary solution until a leading candidate can be persuaded to take the job on.

Regardless of the success or otherwise in luring Wenger, Real are prepared to pay whatever it takes to sign Fabregas, though Wenger’s involvement would help convince the Spain midfielder of the merits of a change of club.

For the first time in his spell at Arsenal fans are openly questioning Wenger’s ability to compete with the challenge of Chelsea, Manchester United and now Liverpool, with Aston Villa’s terrific season even threatening their place in the Champions League next season.

Shareholders were vocal in their criticism of Wenger at a recent AGM.

Wenger has not given Real any encouragement in the past but the continuing upheaval at Arsenal may make a big money offer from the Spanish side harder to ignore in the future. Telegraph



Didier Drogba to be hit with £100,000 fine for Chelsea dig

Didier Drogba will be hit with a £100,000 fine after he publicly criticised Chelsea.

The Blues striker accused the club of not giving him enough support following the death of his grandmother and said he'd lost his passion for the game.

But it's claimed Chelsea provided a private jet to fly him to the Ivory Coast following her death and his remarks have upset dressing-room harmony.

That has led to Chelsea hitting him with a fine of a week's wages and has raised question marks about his future.

However, Drogba insists he does not want to leave Chelsea in the transfer window and has pledged his future to the club.

The 30-year-old has become an increasingly unpopular figure with his team-mates and this latest outburst, in France Football magazine, comes at a time when Chelsea need it least.

Blues boss Luiz Felipe Scolari has come under increasing pressure following a string of indifferent results.

They are still three points off the top of the Premier League but Scolari must sell before he can buy and faces an uphill struggle to win the title. Drogba held secret negotiations with Inter Milan earlier this season and his longterm future is now in doubt.

But Scolari is unlikely to sell him and sign another striker who would be ineligible for the Champions League .

Regardless, the forward's tempestuous love affair with Chelsea could be drawing to a close. Mirror


Inter Milan target Michael Owen

Inter Milan manager Jose Mourinho wants to coax Michael Owen to the San Siro. Owen, who may have reservations about moving abroad after his previous stint at Real Madrid, would be eligible for the remainder of Inter’s Champions League campaign, and Mourinho is willing to trade £12 million-rated Adriano in a straight swap for the Newcastle striker, or pay £4.5 million and include out-of-favour Honduran striker David Suazo in the deal. 29-year-old Suazo, also a target for Everton and Aston Villa, has found form since he was allowed to move to Benfica on loan.