SOCCER

Arsenal's on again, off again pursuit of Stevan Jovetic is being undermined by the player's agent, Fali Ramadani. The agent seems determined to dispatch his client to Italian Champions Juventus.

There is simply no other way to explain the bizarre recent flip-flop from Fiorentina towards Arsenal's interest. It started with the Florence club's sporting director, Daniele Prade, denying Arsenal are even interested in Jovetic.

Football-Italia.net, citing an interview with Rai Sport, quote Prade saying, "In my view, Arsene Wenger has no interest in Jovetic, as we haven't had any contact with them."

This is despite over two months of reports claiming initial talks and done deals. Of course, not every transfer tip in the press has the virtue of being fact.

However, when certain rumors are reported so frequently and receive such widespread attention, it is reasonable to assume there is no smoke without fire.

The quest for Europe's biggest football club cup, the 2013 UEFA Champions League trophy will be played on Saturday May 25 at Wembley Stadium in London England. The final will be played between German Bundesliga clubs Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich. For the first time in European football history two German clubs will play for the UEFA Champions League title. The winner will play against Chelsea (winners of the 2012-13 UEFA Europa League) in the 2013 UEFA Super Cup, with the winner of that match qualifying to play in the semifinals of the 2013 FIFA Club World Cup.

Borussia Dortmund advanced to the Champions League Final as the winners of Group D, ahead of Real Madrid, Ajax, and EPL Champions Manchester City.

As the old saying goes, you should never go back.

In the end, neither party had much alternative.

Monday's announcement by Real Madrid that Manager Jose Mourinho would be leaving at the end of the season came as no surprise, he has cut a forlorn figure over the last few months and this seems to be the most amicable solution for all parties. Now, his inevitable return to his former club Chelsea is the worst kept secret in Football. Reports suggest that terms have already been agreed and Mourinho is poised to return to South London as soon as his Madrid contract expires. No compensation will be changing hands, as Mourinho is being 'Released', this will no doubt please Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, who has spend astronomical fees on several Managers since Mourinho left the club.

Since the end of the Premier League season last weekend, the media have gone into hyper-mode, with a constant stream of contradictory stories and rumours emanating from the UK Newspapers. It is hard enough to decipher the truth from the lies at the best of times, but now we are approaching the transfer window, all hell is let loose! We are taking a look at Manchester City and there are some major rumours surrounding the club.
Firstly, the manager’s position is still vacant and the news today that Manuel Pellegrini is definitely leaving Malaga at the end of the La Liga season, almost certainly means that he is going to be the next manager. With that out of the way, lets deal with the next chestnut; Radamel Falcao.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is set to turn to Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain as an alternative to £30 million-rated Fiorentina star Stevan Jovetic. Reports in The Daily Telegraph suggest Wenger will attempt to seal a deal worth £19 million for Higuain.

The crafty Argentina international is more a of a natural striker and prolific finisher than Jovetic. Wenger is reluctant to meet Fiorentina's demands for the more creative-minded Jovetic. La Viola are steadfast in their desire to earn £30 million from the sale, according to The Independent.

With a rumored transfer fund of £70 million, Wenger is keen to bolster in several areas. Arsenal lack a commanding goalkeeper, a rugged centre-back, a defensive-minded midfielder and an assured striker.