UEFA Champions League update: briefs, Manchester City, Barcelona, Arsenal and Spurs

Manchester United,  Manchester City and Real Madrid are all tracking young Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell.
 
Barcelona are reportedly interested in a summer move for Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri.
 
Aston Villa want Barcelona defender Gabriel Milito.
 
Russia and CSKA Moscow keeper Igor Akinfeev is the latest candidate to replace Edwin van der Sar at Manchester United.
 
Chelsea fancy Borussia Dortmund’s Serbian centre-back Neven Subotic.
 
Russian side Krasnodar want Spurs midfielder Niko Kranjcar and Barcelona winger Alexander Hleb, currently on loan at Birmingham.
 
Former Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse wants to return to England from Greece.
 
New Liverpool striker Andy Carroll could finally make his debut against West Ham this weekend.
 
Stoke’s Matthew Etherington is a doubt for Wednesday’s EPL clash with Arsenal.
 
Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has again been linked with a move to Serie A side Roma in the summer.
 
Wolves winger Michael Kightly is finally ready to return to training after 15 months out with knee injuries.

Manchester City can be bigger than Barcelona says Toures

Manchester City star Yaya Toure claims his new club can become even bigger than the Barcelona side he left behind in Spain.

Midfielder Toure has claimed that the financial power of the club’s Middle-East owners will see dominate European football within a couple of years.

The former Barca star reckons Pep Guardiola’s team are the yardstick for all clubs in Europe right now.
But he is adamant that City’s financial clout will see them surpass the Catalan giants.

“You cannot compare Barcelona with City right now because Barca are at the top and have top-quality players,” said Toure.

“They have Leo Messi, Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Dani Alves, who are fantastic. But we are still signing new players.

“In a couple of years we could be better than Barcelona. What we need to do is continue to work hard and improve with every game.

“I keep saying to my brother Kolo and my family that City have great players but we need to continue to work hard to become great.”

City will find it hard to catch EPL leaders and bitter rivals Manchester United in the title race, currently trailing by eight points with a game more played.

But the Ivory Coast star insists the Blues team currently third in the EPL table can qualify for the Champions League next season.

“Our target is still to be in the Champions League next year - that is very important for this club,” added Toure.

“But it will be tough to stay in there because Liverpool are coming and I’m sure Chelsea will be back.”

Nasri Banks Arsenal Kids for Cup glory

Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri has urged his young team-mates to kick-on and win the trophy that will keep him at the Emirates.

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Nster.com