SUMMER SALES
Barry: I was honest with Villa
MANCHESTER CITY’S Gareth Barry has rejected suggestions he betrayed Aston Villa, insisting he told them he would leave if they failed to reach the Champions League.
Barry’s £12m move to City, who finished four places below Villa in the Premier League, raised eyebrows but the England midfielder insists he has been straight. He said: “I was very honest about the Champions League and if Villa had qualified I’d have been honourable enough to keep my word and stay.”
Beckham admits to future doubts
ENGLAND midfielder David Beckham admits his hopes of returning to AC Milan in January for another loan stint are up in the air.
Beckham is back with LA Galaxy but fancies a return to the San Siro when the MLS season ends. He said: “I am going back to Galaxy to finish off the season and then in December I’ll see where I go, whether it be Milan or somewhere else.”
Negredo fancies Liverpool move
REAL MADRID striker Alvaro Negredo admits he would love to play alongside Fernando Torres for Liverpool.
Negredo, who is also linked with Valencia, has been mentioned as a possible makeweight in a Real bid for Reds midfielder Xabi Alonso.
He said: “I have already said that I think that is a great club and it would be incredible to play alongside Torres. But I prefer not to talk about that, because for now I am a Madrid player.”
Staff snag hits Martinez switch
WIGAN’S planned appointment of Swansea manager Roberto Martinez has hit a snag over his backroom staff.
Martinez has agreed to take charge at his former club but wants to take his assistant Graeme Jones and chief scout Kevin Reeves with him.
Swansea have agreed compensation for the Spaniard but the matter of his colleagues is likely to remain unresolved until next week.