EPL News May 15th

[dmmd98]

Forward Carlos Tevez could break his ties to businessman Kia Joorabchian to stay at Manchester United for free according to a senior European MP. (The Sun)

Why is an MP even talking about Tevez contact? Don’t they have other issues to worry about? The point made yesterday is the same today. No matter how you feel about 3rd party ownership, Joorabchian has steered Tevez career pretty good thus far. There is no way Tevez is going to turn around and basically give Joorabchian the middle finger by walking away.

Old Trafford officials are reluctant to meet Joorabchian’s valuation of £22m, with a midweek meeting ending with the two parties no nearer a deal. (The Guardian)

But Tevez and his advisor are ready to walk away from negotiations if United continue to haggle over the fee. (Independent)

A deal is a deal. United knew the terms of the deal going in when they acquired Tevez two years ago and what it would take to make Tevez an full fledged United player. There is no way that United should be able to convince Joorabchian that Tevez is worth less than what they paid for Berbatov.

The Argentina star has rejected the chance to move to Spanish giants Real Madrid in a £40m switch as he would prefer to stay in the Premier League. (Daily Mail)

I’m sure Real Madrid are use to the feeling of not being able to sign Manchester United players for one reason or another by now.

Arsene Wenger has refused to rule out the possibility of selling some of his biggest stars to fellow top-four sides, opening up the possibility of Emmanuel Adebayor replacing Drogba at Chelsea. (Various)

Would be like rubbing salt in the wound as far as Arsenal fans would be concerned. I admire their faith in Wenger who to be fair deserves it however a fan base like Arsenal’s at the very least deserves a team which is committed to winning first and foremost and not committed to developing young players.

Blackburn Rovers will demand £20m in exchange for in-demand Paraguayan striker Roque Santa Cruz. (The Mirror)

I have a feeling Blackburn may regret turning down £20m for Santa Cruz back in January.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is in a race with Barcelona to sign Cadiz youngster Jesus Fernandez who has been touted as the new Cesc Fabregas. (The Mirror)

Fabregas is only 22. The words new and Cesc Fabregas should not be linked side by side.

AC Milan’s Carlo Ancelotti has targeted CSKA Moscow’s Yuri Zhirkov as one of the players he would want to bring to Chelsea should he get the Stamford Bridge job. (Express)

I’m sure Roman Abramovich told Carlo Ancelotti to target Yuri Zhirkov since he’ll be a Chelsea player one way or another.

AC Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti is expected to be confirmed on Saturday as Chelsea’s manager for next season after Guus Hiddink stands aside. (The Sun)

But Frank Rijkaard has been earmarked as a fall-back option should the Italian decide to stay with the Rossoneri. (The Times)

A.C Milan should thank Ancelotti for his years of service and right after make the call for Frank Rijkaard who not only has a history with the club but a couple of victories over a certain Special Inter coach.

Aston Villa captain Martin Laursen is poised to announce his retirement after admitting defeat in a battle with a knee injury. (Various)

All signs point to the end for Laursen which I hope isn’t the case. Great servant for every club he has played for.

Sunderland boss Ricky Sbragia has told on-loan forward Djibril Cisse to concentrate on guaranteeing the Black Cats’ survival rather than worry about where he will be playing next season. (Various)

Sbragia sadly couldn’t tell Cisse to brush up on his French again as he’ll return Marseille who will sort out Cisse’s future from there.

At north-east neighbours Newcastle Michael Owen’s agent has dismissed suggestions the 30-year-old could be ready to quit football as “totally untrue”. (Various)

Owen is far from done and would be leaving way too much money on the table if he decided to retire. Owen’s main problems have been staying fit and finding a club which is a right fit for him. A club who doesn’t change coaches every couple of months. I’m sure Owen is looking forward to being able to decide his future this summer.

Mark Hughes believes that he hasn’t got the plaudits he deserves for the job he has done at the Manchester City helm. (Various)

Someone should tell Hughes that Sven Goran Erickson was fired for less last year. Manchester City have been playing better when the games didn’t matter.

Premier League officials will take the Premier League trophy to Old Trafford on Saturday ready to be presented to Manchester United if they take a point from their lunchtime meeting with Arsenal. (The Sun)

It’s been so long Wenger may ask, “what is this piece of metal that Giggs is lifting over his head.”

[rjordan1979]

A shame about Laursen. Not a GREAT defender, but he worked his socks off.

I'm still trying to figure out exactly what Mark Hughes deserves credit for. Maybe getting rid of Barton? I don't even know for sure that was him.

[dmmd98]

A shame about Laursen. Not a GREAT defender, but he worked his socks off.

I'm still trying to figure out exactly what Mark Hughes deserves credit for. Maybe getting rid of Barton? I don't even know for sure that was him.

They got rid of Barton even before Sven got there. While Barton was still on the books the summer when Sven took over Manchester City, they told Barton to stay home after suckering punching a team mate in practice.