Football News, Transfer Rumours, Transfer Window updates

Manchester City are set to renew their interest in Everton defender Joleon Lescott. Eastlands boss, Mark Hughes targeted the defender in January but Everton rebuffed the move.

Now City are lining up a £12m bid for the England International and could even use Brazilian striker Jo as a makeweight in the deal.

Jo joined Everton on loan in February and impressed David Moyes who was priced out of a permanent move, after a successful spell at Goodison Park, although Everton would expect cash + the player.

When questioned on the chances of keeping Jo, Moyes said:

"It's not worth discussing because it was a lot of money and we certainly wouldn't have that sort of money,"

Amr Zaki could be set for a switch to Blackburn Rovers from Zamalek.

The Egyptian International spent last season on loan at Lancashire rivals Wigan Athletic, only for his spell at the Lactics to turn sour.

Zaki burst onto the Premier League season, netting 8 goals in his first 10 games at the JJB Stadium side.

However, Zaki failed to land a permanant deal after falling out, with then Wigan boss Steve Bruce. In April, Zaki failed to return to Wigan on time after one of Egypt's World Cup qualification matches, not for the first time that season.

Bruce said:

Before this latest incident, Zaki had already been fined considerably more than the average person in Britain earns in a year and he will now face another heavy fine.

A letter has gone to (Amr) Zaki's club in Egypt saying we won't be taking up the option to sign him...

Swansea City manager Roberto Martinez will be named as the new Wigan Athletic manager today, replacing Steve Bruce who joined has joined Sunderland.

Lactics Chairman Dave Whelen is thought to have paid around £1.5m compensation for the 35 year old Spaniard.

Update

Whelan said: "I am delighted and I know the whole of Wigan will be excited we are getting one of the Three Amigos back.

"Roberto played good football and I've watched his career go on and on.

"His men play football from back to front, I like what I see and I am really excited Roberto is coming back to Wigan.

"Compensation was something we had to agree, that is only fair and right. We did that with Birmingham and we have now agreed with the chairman of Swansea.

"Hopefully things will be sorted out and contracts signed by tomorrow morning."

Manchester City could make a move for Stoke City defender Ryan Shawcross.

The 21 year old has made a huge impact on the Premier League in his debut season following The Potter's promotion.

Shawcross has built an impressive partnership with Abdoulaye Faye, and has been touted as a certainty to become an full England International.

The former Manchester United youngster could be set for a return to the City this summer and will feature in England's Under-21 European Championship campaign.

Manchester City are closing in on a £32m deal for Carlos Tevez, beating their neighbours Manchester United to the signing.

The 25 year old's representative Kia Joorabchian held talks with Old Trafford Chief Executive Daivd Gill earlier today, but we understand a deal was not struck to extend the Argentina International's initial 2 year deal, leaving Tevez to join City.

City chiefs have already held discussions with Joorabchian and agreed a price, upwards of £30m.

Tevez has agreed personal terms, which are around £30,000 a week more than on offer at United.

A deal is set to be completed in the next 72 hours.

Chelsea are lining up a rival World record bid for AC Milan star Kaka.

Newly appointed Chelsea boss Carlo Ancheloti, who managed the Brazilian forward at the San Siro wants to bring the 27 old to Stamford Bridge.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez had earlier thought he had agreed a deal for the forward but Chelsea supremo Roman Abramovich is set to make a rival bid to snare the player, although reports in Spain cliam that Real have his signature.

Queens Park Rangers are set to announce Jim Magilton as their new manager in the next 24 hours.

QPR trio of billionaire owners Flavio Briatore, Bernie Ecclestone and Lakshmi Mittal have gone through 4 managers in John Gregory, Luigi De Canio, Iain Dowie and most recently Paulo Sousa, aswell as 3 caretaker managers, in under 2 years following the August 2007 takeover.

Magilton will not be a popular choice with Rangers fans after failing to guide Ipswich into the Championship play-offs this season, which saw him sacked as The Tractor Boys boss by new chairman Marcus Evans, who has since appointed Roy Keane, who won both his games in charge since taking over at Portman Road.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is set to complete his first signing since returning to the Santiago Bernabeu, with the World Record signing of AC Milan forward Kaka.

The 27 year old Brazilian International was subject of a £91m bid from Manchester City in January, but turned down the move.

Real are rumoured to have a transfer budget of around £200m this summer and could even eclipse this fee withthe signing of Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo.

Chelsea have made an official offer for Bayern Munich star Franck Ribéry, however, Carlo Ancheloti’s new team are in 3rd position for the French International, as Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid battle for his signature.

Barcelona have made their interest known over the last few months and are lining up an offer, but it is Real Madrid in pole position to sign the forward now Zinedine Zidane has join the clubs as advisor to new President Florentino Perez.

Zidane shares the same agent as Ribery and he and Perez have an agreement to bring the player to the Santiago Bernabeu, with a fee of around £35m expected.

Manchester City have offered Kia Joorabchian's MSI, upwards of £30m for Manchester United loanee Carlos Tevez.

Tevez has already met with City officials and agreed personal terms, which eclipse the offer on the table from United.

Chief Executive David Gill is set to meet with Joorabchian tomorrow in an attempt to keep the 25 year old striker at Old Trafford beyond their initial 2 year agreement.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson already has plans to make a move for Lyon striker Karim Benzema and depending on tomorrows discussions may prefer to cut his losses with Tevez and move for the French International.

Liverpool have also shown interest in Tevez, but will not be able to compete with the offer on the table from Eastlands.

City could sign the striker as early as tomorrow evening depending on how talks across the City progress.

By Richard Sharp

Everton have agreed a deal for Newcastle United midfielder Alan Smith, with a deal in the region of £3m.

Toffees boss David Moyes thought he had captured the former Leeds and Manchester United player during last summers transfer window, after Mike Ashley and Dennis Wise agreed to sell the player for £3m, only for then Toon manager Kevin Keegan to veto the deal at the last moment.

Newcastle are willing to sell Smith, a move which will see his £60,000 a week wages off their books, even though it means taking a £3m hit on one of Mike Ashleys first signings.

Smith has failed to make an impact at St James Park following his move from Old Trafford in August 2007 for a fee in the region of £6m and has not found himself a popular figure with the Toon Army faithful, failing to find the net in his time in the North East.

We understand that former Sunderland manager Roy Keane is set to be apppointed the new manager of Ipswich Town tomorrow, following the sacking of Jim Magilton earlier today.

The former Nottingham Forest, Manchester United, Glasgow Celtic and Republic of Ireland international midfielder has been out of the game since departing the Stadium of Light on the 4th December last year.

Keane was in charge for Sunderland's promotion from the Coca-Cola Championship in the 2006/2007 season where he lifted the team from bottom of the league, to the Championship title.

The following season saw Keane led the Makems to Premier League safety, finishing in 15th place.

We believe Keane will sign a 3 year deal at Portman Road.