'We should take Falcao' – Manchester City scout reveals interest in Atletico Madrid star

Radamel Falcao García - Atl Madrid

Radamel Falcao García – Atl Madrid

Manchester City chief scout Carlo Cancellieri believes Radamel Falcao is the only forward who could improve the Premier League champions’ strike force.

Roberto Mancini’s side areactively chasing additional attackers for January, with Goal.com revealing they have prepared a £25 million bid for Fiorentina ace Stevan Jovetic.
However, Cancellieri believes that the Montenegrin would not improve the squad at the Etihad, and that they should target the Colombian instead.

When asked about Jovetic, Cancellieri told tuttomercatoweb.com: “He is an interesting player, he has quality. But in attack City are already good, we’re happy with Tevez, Aguero and Balotelli.

“Moreover, I believe that our players are better than Jovetic. He is a very good player, but he is not one who could make a difference such as Falcao.

“I spoke about him in recent days with Mancini. If we were to take a player in January, we should take Falcao.

“He is an important player, the only one who could make us take the leap.”

Cancellieri also claimed that City have targeted Cesc Fabregas and Sergio Busquets, but a move for either is unlikely due to Barcelona’s reluctance to sell.

He said: “A midfielder? We like Busquets and Fabregas a lot, but Barcelona don’t want to give these two players.”

Hernanes: I was never close to joining AC Milan

Lazio midfielder Hernanes has made it clear that he never spoke with AC Milan during the summer transfer window.

The Brazil international was being with a switch to San Siro earlier this year, but the 27-year-old dismissed claims that he was considering leaving the capital club.

“There have been a lot of rumours, but I never spoke with Milan. I was at no point close to joining them,” he told Sky Sport Italia.

“I am very happy with life at Lazio. I have always said that I enjoy life here in Rome.”

The attacking midfielder then discussed this weekend’s Serie A clash versus the Rossoneri, and insisted that Lazio are not the favourites.

“Are we the team to beat? Let’s not fool ourselves. Milan are still Milan. They have some great players.”

Saturday’s match at the Stadio Olimpico kicks off at 20:45CET.

Christian Eriksen is committed to Ajax, says agent

The agent of Ajax midfielder Christian Eriksen has reiterated his client’s previous claim of his commitment to the Amsterdam outfit.

The 20-year old recently labelled Liverpool’s reported interest as ‘flattering’, but insisted that he was not interested in a move away from his current club.

Martin Schoots, his representative, has now echoed his client’s statements, insisting the youngster is focused on continuing his development at the Amsterdam ArenA.

“There a lot of clubs who have asked about Christian’s situation, some very seriously. But Christian never thought about switching clubs too seriously,” Schoots told Tipsbladet.

“[Eriksen] is currently fully focused on his development at Ajax. That is the only important thing right now.”

Ajax will travel to Heracles on Saturday as Frank de Boer’s charges look to maintain pace with table-toppers Twente.

Mourinho hints at Barcelona interest in Pepe

Jose Mourinho has hinted that Barcelona were interested in signing Pepe.

The 49-year-old made the claims at Friday’s press conference ahead of Real Madrid’ s clash with Celta Vigo on Saturday, following weeks of dispute between the fierce rivals over the player’s alleged conduct in matches between the two teams.

When asked about media speculation that Barcelona had compiled videos of Pepe committing fouls in Clasico matches he said: “I know nothing about a video of Pepe. I do know that while he was renewing his contract two big clubs pushed for him not to renew.

“I do not know if one of those big clubs was the one who recorded a video,” he added.

Madrid go into this weekend’s clash missing several players, with seven of the squad picking up injuries during the international break.

The defence has been worst hit, with Marcelo, Fabio Coentrao, Raphael Varane and Alvaro Arbeloa all missing.

“We have some different choices to cover our positions, people that will adapt to the situation. It’s a perfect day for you to give me the line-up,” Mourinho joked with the press.

The former Inter coach then responded to speculation that he would draft in the services of youth player Nacho to fill the void.

He said: “I’ve thought of Nacho at left-back of course, but he’s just another one. I’ve already decided who will play there.

“Just a couple of minutes after the national matches ended I had decided who would start,” he concluded.

Mourinho also took time out to say his side are more similar in style to Borussia Dortmund than they are to Barcelona.

“It doesn’t make sense. You can compare Barca with Arsenal, they have similar styles, but not with us. You could compare Borussia Dortmund with Real,” he stated.

Hitzlsperger joins Everton on short-term contract

Thomas Hitzlsperger has joined Everton on a short-term deal that will keep him at the club until January.

The 30-year-old, who has had previous playing spells in the Premier League with Aston Villa and West Ham, had been without a club since his contract with Wolfsburg expired at the end of last season.

The former Germany international has signed in time to gain international clearance and is available to be a part of the matchday squad to face QPR on Sunday.

Hitzlsperger had been training with Everton since the start of the season and featured recently in an Under-21 league game as an allocated over-aged player.

The German’s last stint in England came in 2010 when he signed for West Ham on a free transfer, but was unable to make his debut until February 2011 because of injury.