Two days ago Manchester City took a loss financially when they sold Robinho to AC Milan for about £14million less than they paid for him. However was Robinho truly an awful signing or a good one?

The Manchester Evening News was wondering that same question and gave a reason for both yes and no. Definitely a nice read for all you Manchester City fans out there.

According to Manchester City’s official website, Manchester City have loaned out striker Felipe Caicedo to Levante for the rest of the season.

According to Manchester City’s official website, AC Milan have completed the signing of Manchester City striker Robinho. Robinho signed a four-year deal with the club and the fee is thought to be around £12.5million.

According to Manchester City’s official website, Manchester City have permanently sold midfielder Adam Clayton to Leeds United.

According to David Anderson at MirrorFootball, Lazio are looking to sign Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz on loan but are having a hard time agreeing to personal terms. Lazio would like to bring him on loan for the season with the option of buying him for £6.5million.

According to Sky Sports News, Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, who has been linked with Arsenal all summer, will be staying with the club.

Fulham tried signing Shay Given from Manchester City which most likely would’ve led to the sale of Schwarzer, but Manchester City did not want to let the veteran go.

According to the Manchester Evening News, Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor admitted that if a team makes an offer for him then he will leave as he is unhappy with his playing time. Adebayor told talkSPORT,

“The season is going to be very long and very difficult for myself. I’m a footballer and have to keep going and not give up. I need to keep fighting for myself and enjoying my football.

“If you’re in a team and you’re not playing, and there is a team that comes in for me, then I will definitely be on my way out because I’m a footballer and I love playing.

“So if I don’t have a chance to play here there will be a lot of chance to play somewhere else. If they [Manchester City] force you out then you always have to follow your destiny.”

According to ESPN Soccernet, Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini admitted that Robinho and Roque Santa Cruz are likely to leave the club. Mancini said,

“I have spoken with Robinho and he can stay if he works well and trains well. I have a good relationship with him. But I think he wants to play in Italy or Spain … Roque is a fantastic guy and a fantastic player. It is possible he will leave for Lazio or another team.”

Fulham and Newcastle have both been linked with Roque Santa Cruz this summer.

According to MirrorFootball, Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho admitted that the club has no chance of signing Emmanuel Adebayor from Manchester City. When asked about signing Adebayor, Mourinho said:

According to Lee Ryder at the Evening Chronicle, Newcastle are interested in signing Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz on loan.

Fulham have been also linked with the 29-year-old striker.

According to Steve Bates at The People, Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor admitted that he is under no pressure to leave the club right now. Adebayor said,

“I’m fine here and there’s no pressure for me to leave at all … Even if I went to somewhere like Real Madrid I would be in the same situation as here.

“They have so many talented players and I would have to fight for my place at the Bernabeu with players like Ronaldo and Kaka. I want to make my history with City.”

According to Mike Whalley at the Manchester Evening News, Lyon have joined Besiktas in the race to sign Manchester City footballer Robinho. Lyon were originally interested in signing Robinho on loan but were told that the club is looking to sell him.

It is reported that Besiktas offered £15million for Robinho but the deal could increase to £25million based on add-ons.

According to Sky Sports News, Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini claimed that the club is finally done spending this month. The club has spent over £100million to bring in players like Yaya Toure, David Silva, James Milner, Jerome Boateng, Mario Balotelli, and Aleksander Kolarov. When asked if Milner was the club’s last signing, Mancini said,

“I think so. He is a good young player, who can play in every position in the middle and out wide.” 

UPDATE: According to Manchester City’s official website, Manchester City have complete the signing of James Milner for Stephen Ireland + Cash. James Milner signed a five-year deal with the club while Stephen Ireland signed a four-year deal with Aston Villa.

August 17th, 2010: According to ESPN Soccernet, Manchester City have agreed to a deal for Aston Villa midfielder James Milner. Man City will send Stephen Ireland in addition to cash to Aston Villa as part of the deal. Milner will undergo his medical this afternoon.

UPDATE: According to Real Madrid’s official website, Real Madrid have agreed to a deal for Werder Bremen midfielder Mesut Ozil. A statement was made that said,

Real Madrid C. F. and SV Werder Bremen have agreed to the transfer of Mesut Ozil.

As for the amount agreed upon, I’ve seen reports ranging from €15m-€20m.

August 14th 2010: According to ESPN Soccernet, Real Madrid have made a bid for Mesut Ozil that was rejected. Director of sport Klaus Allofs said,

“We have received an unacceptable offer that does not even provide any basis for negotiations.”

August 10th 2010: According to ESPN Soccernet, Barcelona have not made a bid for Mesut Ozil despite the rumor going around this morning. Bremen media director Tino Polster said,

“There is no agreement with Barca … There are no talks with and no offer from FC Barcelona.”

August 10th 2010: According to the Manchester Evening News, Werder Bremen confirmed that midfielder Mesut Ozil could leave the club this summer. Bremen Director of sport Klaus Allofs said,

“It is possible that there is now a bit of movement in the issue … But I am not running backwards and forwards to the fax machine or getting sweaty palms when I check my emails to see if maybe an offer has arrived.”

August 1st 2010: According to Ben Fairthorne at the Daily Star, Manchester United and Chelsea are two of five clubs that Mesut Ozil would dream to play for. Ozil said,

“There are four or five clubs in ­Europe that you would have to say as a player would be a dream to play for … Manchester United and Chelsea are very much two of them.

“When you are looking at moving clubs it’s impossible not to pay ­attention to the Premier League and even more impossible not to pay ­attention to Manchester United and Chelsea.”

July 31st 2010: According to James Robson at the Manchester Evening News, Manchester United is the front-runner in the race for Mesut Ozil. It is also reported that United are prepared to make an offer around £12million.

Interesting Note: Mesut Ozil is entering the final year of his contract with Werder Bremen which could reduce his price tag.

July 18th, 2010 According to the Telegraph, Werder Bremen admitted that they are willing to listen to offers for midfielder Mesut Ozil if the 21-year-old wants them to. Bremen sporting director Klaus Allofs said,

“I can imagine that in the coming weeks or just before the transfer window closes, one club or another will begin to press us a little harder … We will have to listen to those offers if that is what Mesut wants.”

Arsenal, Manchester City, and Manchester United are a couple of teams that could make a bid for the youngster.

According to Manchester City’s official website, 19-year-old Manchester City defender Greg Cunningham has signed a new four-year deal with the club. Cunningham said,

“I’m delighted to have signed a new deal with City … Now I need to impress the manager as much as I can and get as much game time as I can, too.”

UPDATE: According to Cardiff City’s official website, Manchester City have sent striker Craig Bellamy to Cardiff City on a season-long loan.

August 16th, 2010 According to Greg O’Keeffe at the Liverpool Echo, Everton are interested in signing Manchester City striker Craig Bellamy on loan. However Cardiff City are thought to be the current favorites to sign the 31-year-old.

The transfer saga of young striker Mario Balotelli from Inter Milan to Manchester City is complete (finally), and there are high expectations from manager Roberto Mancini and the Eastland’s faithful. Balotelli has all the tools to become an absolute legend at City. He’s a two footed monster up top with deadly finishing, immense power with either boot, and superb flair and control. At 6 foot 3, he’s a beast with his naturally burly physique and tendency to be extremely aggressive, almost to a fault. Balotelli’s height also allows him to be a threat in the air, though he prefers to work outside of the box and create. He also has the speed to become a powerhouse striker in the EPL, though his quickness is not all there yet. So, why are there doubts?

“Super Mario” has perhaps the worst attitude in all of football. Yes, he is only 19 and some level of maturity should come in time. However, he is a fighter both on and off the pitch. He not only fights with coaches (Jose Mourinho) but his own teammates too (Marco Materazzi). He instigates fans by deliberately going out of his way to make sure he is booed, too. The prime example to point to in this case is wearing an AC Milan jersey and watching the team play while still on cross-town rivals Inter Milan! Fans have asked him to be removed from the club on several occasions and the fans let him know every chance they got. Everyone is out to get Super Mario, at least according to him. After being locked out of team, however, Balotelli did show some maturity, saying, “I want to put the past behind me, look to the future and concentrate on the upcoming commitments and make myself ready.” Still, the questions about his character are completely understandable. A couple weeks after saying the previous quote, Balotelli was again straight in the middle of an outburst during a 3-1 Champions League semi-final win over Barcelona. Following the final whistle, he stormed off the field in response to Inter fans booing his performance in the match. There was even a small group of supporters who tried to physically attack Balotelli after the game. While this is unacceptable behavior by the fans, Balotelli’s constant attitude problems and form of late had warranted a chorus of boos.

The EPL is just as, if not more, unforgiving than Serie A. He will be given his chance to shine at City, with the fact he will not be the main striker of focus (Tevez will be). If he sticks to focusing on playing good football, he can immediately make an impact, despite heavy competition from other strikers on the team (Adebayor, Robinho if he stays, Santa Cruz, Bellamy). He has all the qualities to be a nuisance or an absolute monster of a player in the EPL. It’s a fresh beginning and he’s still an incredibly young player with potentially 15 years ahead of him in his playing career if he plays his cards right. If Balotelli could be controlled like a child for the next few years of his career, he would be one of the great players during the time span. The problem is Balotelli is reliably unpredictable. Mancini has a great striker and a fire-starter coming to the club. He just needs to put out the flames and reignite Balotelli’s desire to just play good football. Balotelli can become Super Mario. He just needs a push in the right direction and soon.

By Chris Behrens

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According to Manchester City’s Official Website, Manchester City have completed the signing of Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli for an undisclosed fee. Balotelli signed a five-year deal with the club.

UPDATE: According to Sky Sports News, the two clubs have agreed to a deal for around £24million and Balotelli is set to undergo a medical.

According to the Manchester Evening News, Manchester City are close to signing Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli. It is reported that Balotelli flew to Manchester to discuss a deal with the club. Manager Roberto Mancini said,

“We are close with Balotelli. Hopefully today or tomorrow. Mario is on his way here today.”