Pro Eleven Headline News
Manchester City Preparing Mammoth Messi Offer
Premier League money-men Manchester City are set to make a world-record bid for Barcelona's Lionel Messi at the end of the season, according to a report in British tabloid newspaper The Sun.
Apparently, the Citizens are ready to part with €112 million (£100m) to land the 21-year-old, with owner Sulaiman Al-Fahim having given the deal the go-ahead.
It is claimed that Al-Fahim is a huge fan of Argentinean football and wants the Albicelestes' premier star playing for his own club.
"I’ve never worked with Maradona and I am not sure if he will be a good coach for Argentina," The Sun quotes Al-Fahim as saying.
"But I want to work with Messi soon because he makes me love Argentina again."
The 5ft 7in forward has been in terrific form for la Blaugrana this season, scoring 17 league goals in 22 Primera Division games and five in six Champions League fixtures.
However, it remains to be seen whether the Rosario-born playmaker is keen to leave a club currently challenging for top honors to join a side who, at present, can only aspire to do so. Goal
Morimoto says no to United
Catania's young Japanese striker Takayuki Morimoto has insisted that does not want a move to English giants Manchester United.
Morimoto has attracted keen interest from the United camp with Sir Alex Ferguson publicly courting the young Asian star.
Speaking to Studio Sport, Morimoto said: "The only thing that I care about is Catania's survival and I don't want to leave.
"I want to stay as close as possible to the squad and give my contribution.
"Knowing that an important club like Manchester United observes you always pleases you, because we are talking about one of the best teams in the world.
"I don't think about the transfer market. About these things the president and director [Pietro] Lo Monaco will think about them.
"I thank them for having said that I'm not for sale for any price. My desire is to stay here for a long time."
The Japanese youngster who has yet to play for the Japanese national team has been with Catania since 2006 with six goals to his name in 34 appearances. ESPN Star
Liverpool Considering South East Asia Tour
Liverpool, under Rafael Benitez, are currently third in the Premier League following their recent 2-0 win over Sunderland at Anfield.
Apart from Singapore, the other two possible Asian venues are Bangkok and Hong Kong.
However, there is no final word as yet from the FA of Singapore (FAS) on whether the Reds will be confirming their trip.
"We are still in talks with the several sponsors who are arranging for the Liverpool trip," said Winston Lee, the general secretary of the FAS.
"For the moment though, there is no final word yet although we will make a welcome of it should the Liverpool trip become a reality."
While the Merseysiders have millions of fans all across Asia, the club are not as active in terms of promotion when compared to the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea.
Ian Ayre, Liverpool's marketing manager, was quoted by Bloomberg as saying, "If you want to build a business abroad, the one important thing is to to make sure your product are near to the populace.
"And it is obvious that there are more opportunities which are available now to Liverpool as when compared to previously."
Ayre said that Liverpool are intent on improving their overall position in the standings of the world's richest club - in which they currently occupy seventh with €210.9 million (US $264.8 million).
The five-times European champions had just concluded sponsorship talks with Bank of America worth US $11 million over four years. Goal
