Manchester United ready to end Cesc Fabregas hunt

DAVID MOYES has admitted he is ready to give up on signing Cesc Fabregas.

David Moyes is giving up hope on signing Barcelona's Cesc Fabregas

Manchester United have already had two bids rejected for the Barcelona midfielder, the latest for around £30m.

Moyes felt Fabregas was keen on a switch to Old Trafford due to fears he would not play regularly in Spain this season.

But the United boss is now planning to accept defeat after being forcefully told by new Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino that the 26-year-old is not for sale at any price.

“I couldn’t tell you if there will be another bid,” Moyes said. “We will take stock of it and consider what we are going to do next.

“I never said at any time that we would get him. I just said we had made offers – and they have been rejected.”

Business Moyes is now poised to look elsewhere to strengthen his midfield, while also rejecting an approach from Borussia Dortmund for Shinji Kagawa.

Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp yesterday admitted an enquiry was quickly turned down, with United keen to bolster their squad rather than weaken it.

The the new Old Trafford boss said: “I did not necessarily think we would have new players by now. We hoped we would do, of course, but what we have here is a really good squad of players.

Barcelona have rejected two bids made by Manchester United for Fabregas

“Undoubtedly we’re hoping to add to it and we’re confident we will do so before the window shuts. We’ve got until September 2 – that’s the deadline – so I’m confident we’ll have players in.

“But I’ve got a squad that finished 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League, so I’m confident of going into the season with that.

“I have got a few more players that I have not even met yet.

“Undoubtedly we’re hoping to add to (the squad) and we’re confident we will do so before the window shuts”

David Moyes

“This squad without any additions will be tough opponents for any team this season. They’ll be looking at Manchester United, and we’ll be challenged by everybody every game we play.”

United play Kitchee FC today on the Hong Kong Stadium pitch that was churned up during the Barclays Asia Trophy tournament involving Tottenham, Manchester City and Sunderland

EXCLUSIVE: Spurs will move for Javier Pastore to replace Gareth Bale

TOTTENHAM will go for Argentina ace Javier Pastore as they face up to the prospect of life without Gareth Bale.

Rumours are cicrulating that Real Madrid are willing to pay up to £100 million for Bale

Attacking midfielder Pastore cost Paris St Germain £36m from Palermo two years ago and he would rip a hole in the cash Spurs are demanding for Bale.

Despite insisting their Welsh wizard will not be sold to Real Madrid or Manchester United this summer, it is understood Spurs have already identified who they will try to sign if a deal happens.

Reports in Spain suggest Real are willing to pay a staggering £100m for Bale, which Spurs could find impossible to resist.

Former Tottenham boss David Pleat said: "They were talking £50m, £60m earlier in the summer.

"This could rise to something crazy like £100m.

"At that stage, even Tottenham, who have resisted strongly, may have to look at it. How do you resist that type of money? Manchester United couldn't resist it for Ronaldo."

Javier Pastore is being considered as a possible replacement for Gareth Bale

Pastore can play wide or central, but has not fulfilled his promise at PSG, who are likely to let him go for less than they paid for him.

And Starsport understands that Tottenham’s director of football Franco Baldini has already made enquiries about Pastore’s availability. Meanwhile, Spurs are on the brink of landing Valencia striker Roberto Soldado for £26m. Liverpool were also keen on the 28-year-old, but Spurs are believed to have tied up the deal by agreeing to pay the full buy-out clause.

Baldini had previously seen a £22m offer rejected, but yesterday went back with an improved bid to force the cash-strapped Spanish club to sell.

“How do you resist that type of money? Manchester United couldn't resist it for Ronaldo”

David Pleat

Antonio Sese, a former director at Valencia, tweeted: “They tell me that Roberto Soldado will be transferred shortly.

“They (Tottenham) will pay the release clause. Great management.”

Soldado has scored 81 goals in 141 games since joining Valencia in the summer of 2010.

Angry Pepe Reina slams Liverpool for going behind his back

PEPE REINA has hit out at Liverpool for going behind his back to oust him out of Anfield.

Pepe Reina has joined Napoli on a season-long loan

The Liverpool keeper has joined up with Rafa Benitez at Napoli on a season-long loan following the £9m arrival of Simon Mignolet.

Fans' favourite Reina has expressed his love for the club in an emotional statement on his official website - but slammed Liverpool management for the shoddy way they handled the deal.

Reina, who signed for Liverpool in 2005, said: "If I have a complaint, it's the way I'm leaving. I think it's natural to be disappointed by the fact that the management agreed my move to Naples without me.

"Much has been made of the fact that I had told the club that if an offer from Barcelona came I would have liked to consider it - but I had also spoken to the club about the possibility of extending my contract if this did not happen.

"I told the coach [Brendan Rodgers] I wanted to play for Liverpool and Barcelona only become an option for me if they had a good chance.

"When no offer came, I was ready to fight for the title so I was surprised that Liverpool decided to inquire about my departure to Naples."

Belgium international Mignolet is seen as a better long-term option by Reds chiefs but Reina is hoping his career on Merseyside isn't over yet.

Pepe Reina will link up with Rafa Benitez at Napoli

“Liverpool is a special club, the most wonderful English club there is”

Pepe Reina

He told fans: "Liverpool is a special club, the most wonderful English club there is.

"My children consider Liverpool home and hope that your love for the city and also for the club to continue to grow while we're gone.

"Perhaps in the near future I can say goodbye the right way to show them my gratitude - but all that I ask for now is that you continue to support the coach and players as you have always done, and helping Liverpool to return to become the club you deserve.

"I would like to come back at the end of my year out and see that Liverpool is back where it belongs and deserves to be."

Pepe Reina has spent eight years at Liverpool

Arsenal suffer Bernard blow

ARSENAL look set to be snubbed by Atletico Mineiro star Bernard.

Brazil playmaker Bernard

The Gunners sent scouts to watch the 20-year-old playmaker star in his team's Copa Libertadores triumph earlier this week.

And boss Arsene Wenger was said to be close to sealing his first big summer signing with a £20m bid for the pint sized star.

But having confirmed the north London outfit were interested in Bernard, the player's father also revealed his son had been convinced by Porto star Hulk to join him in Portugal.

He told O Jogo: "Nothing is decided yet, but we know there is an interest from Arsenal.

Bernard put in stellar performances for Brazil during the Confederations Cup

“Nothing is decided yet, but we know there is an interest from Arsenal”

Bernard's father

"There has been nothing official from them. Hulk has convinced Bernard that Porto move would be better for him at this stage of his career. Porto would be a better move for his career."

And agent Adriano Spadotto has also indicated Bernard was most likely heading for Primeira Liga action or to Shakhtar Donetsk.

Arsene Wenger's interest in signing Bernard has been confirmed

He said: "I can confirm that is the strongest possibility, but Shakhtar are interested too. He should join one of the two clubs.

"If it is up to me, Bernard will be a Porto player. As I have said, this would be the best solution for him. He would prefer to join a middling, but good, club in Europe rather than risk joining an elite club and not getting the chance to play.

"Bernard has great interest in going to Porto."

Bernard in action for Atletico Mineiro

Tottenham ace Gareth Bale 'wants Real Madrid talks' amid imminent transfer offer rumours

TOTTENHAM'S Welsh wizard Gareth Bale is said to be keen to explore the interest shown in him from Real Madrid.

Tottenham haven't given up on persuading Gareth Bale to stay

According to the BBC, the 24-year-old has always dreamed of playing for the La Liga giants, who are yet to register a bid for the Premier League star.

Recent reports in Spain have suggested a transfer offer for the winger is close, while Manchester United look set to be priced out of any bidding war by Madrid.

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is still hoping their star player can be persuaded to stay however, and is even said to be ready to refuse a record-breaking £85m bid.

“Gareth Bale is reportedly interested in exploring Real Madrid's interest in him”

Talks with Bale over a new deal are still thought to be on-going and will likely include a large pay bump.

The former Southampton man still has three years to run on his current contract.

Real Madrid have shown interest in signing Gareth Bale

Bale scored 26 goals last season in all competitions, with his stand-out season coming in 2010, scoring a hat-trick against Inter Milan.

Tottenham have been busy on their pre-season tour this month, arriving back in London on Sunday where Bale missed out on playing in either of the club's matches in the Asia Trophy because of a muscle problem.

Bale out! Winger just 'hours away' from joining Real Madrid

GARETH BALE is just hours away from joining Real Madrid, according to reports in Spain.

Gareth Bale's future at Spurs is uncertain

Both Marca and AS - two newspapers with offices close to the Bernabeu - have this morning claimed that the transfer is close to being finalised.

The papers both run giant images of Bale on their front pages.

Marca write that the deal could be completed in the matter of hours because 24-year-old Bale wants one thing: to play for Real Madrid.

Marca's verdict on Gareth Bale

“The odds on Bale joining Madrid this transfer crashed into 2/5 this morning”

The relationship between Marca and Madrid is a close one and some accused Real of trying to unsettle the Welshman by using the paper.

AS, meanwhile, go with a front-page headline that "Bale has landed".

The odds on Bale joining Madrid this transfer crashed into 2/5 this morning before drifting to around 1/2.

He is now as big as 6/4 to stay at Tottenham with Paddy Power.

Manchester United were also interested in the wing wonder but they are set to miss out.

‘120 dead’ in latest Egypt clashes

UP to 120 supporters of Egypt’s ousted president Mohamed Morsi were last night claimed to have been shot dead by security forces

Morsi, 61, is heading to a jail cell

The deaths came early yesterday at a sit-in near a mosque in east Cairo, where thousands of Muslim Brotherhood supporters have camped since Morsi was deposed on July 3.

“120 are dead and 4,500 have been injured by security forces”

the Brotherhood

Men in helmets and black police fatigues fired on crowds before dawn.

The death toll was put at 120 by the Brotherhood with 4,500 injured.

But the country’s interior minister accused the Brotherhood of exaggerating the toll for political ends.

He said only 21 people had died and denied police opened fire. Meanwhile, Morsi, 61, is heading to a jail cell alongside former leader Hosni Mubarak, 85.

In Libya, more than 1,000 detainees escaped from a prison near the eastern city of Benghazi, as protesters stormed the offices of political parties in Libya’s main cities.

Army of North Korean females rally behind Kim Jong-un

NORTH Korea put on a show of military might yesterday with a parade of goose-stepping female soldiers

Female soldiers paraded to mark the 60th anniversary of the armistice that ended the 1950-1953 Korean War

The all-girl contingent was part of a pageant staged to strike fear into the rogue state’s enemies and rally the country’s population behind young ruler Kim Jong-un.

Columns of tanks, missiles and synchronised waves of soldiers paraded through Pyongyang’s main square to mark the 60th anniversary of the armistice that ended the 1950-1953 Korean War.

As fighter jets screamed overhead, Kim Jong-un saluted his troops from a stand, flanked by his senior military officials.

Brave little girl stuns burglar who attacked her mum

A girl aged five scared off an intruder who had broken into her home and attacked her mother

Brave: Celina-Jayne Boxall's quick thinking meant the burglar left empty-handed

Brave Celina-Jayne Boxall dialled 999 and told police someone was in her house after a thief stormed in and punched mum Stevie, 28, in the face.

“We are so proud of her, she is a real hero”

Mum, Stevie

The attacker was so stunned by the schoolgirl’s quick-thinking actions that he ran out of the house in Hinckley, Leics, empty-handed.

Stevie said the intruder entered her home and tried to snatch her handbag as she was about to take her four children to school.

She said: “Celina-Jayne said: ‘Mummy are you OK?’ and handed me the phone and the police were on the other end.

“We are so proud of her, she is a real hero.”

Lottery winners fail to collect millions of pounds

MILLIONS of pounds are still going begging from Friday’s bumper Euro lottery draw

39 of the winners from Friday night's draw have failed to come forward to collect their prize money

Only 61 of the 100 new British millionaires created have so far come forward to claim their huge jackpot.

“We’re still waiting for 39 more to claim their life-changing prize”

National Lottery spokeswoman

And now the lottery is urging people to check their pockets for their EuroMillions tickets.

A National Lottery spokeswoman said: “We’ve already had 61 new millionaires come forward but we’re still waiting for 39 more to claim their life-changing prize.”

Kate to take baby George to Oz, Just like Princess Diana and William

PRINCE George is already lined up for his first royal duty at just six days old – with plans for him to visit Australia.

Kate said she thinks Princess Diana as 'an inspirational woman to look up to'

The tot is set to fly across the world before he even turns one – just like dad William did as a tot with Diana.

Kate, 31, believes she can learn a lot from the example of her “inspirational” late mother-in-law.

“Diana was wonderful with children and it was the only part of her life in which she had complete confidence. It makes it seem all the more cruel she has been denied the pleasure of being with her grandson”

Diana’s close friend Rosa Monckton

In their first royal tour as a family, the three are tipped to visit Australia and New Zealand next spring. Prince George will be around nine months old – the same age as William when he toured Australia with his mum and dad in 1983.

An insider said: “While the birth is a deeply personal and private event, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge realise many people will want to share in their happiness.”

It will be the couple’s third tour abroad together, having visited Canada in 2011 and the Far East in 2012. Kate has been quoted in the past saying she would have “loved” to have met Diana, adding: “She is an inspirational woman to look up to.”

Diana’s close friend Rosa Monckton said: “Diana was wonderful with children and it was the only part of her life in which she had complete confidence.

“It makes it seem all the more cruel she has been denied the pleasure of being with her grandson.”

Crocodile is first pet for Royal baby George

William and Kate have been swamped with gifts for baby George, among them a live crocodile.

Amongst the presents for Prince George is a crocodile - also called George

The croc – also called George – was presented to the couple by Australia’s Northern Territory and it is hoped the young Prince will one day bring the predator back to Britain.

“The Duke and Duchess have been overwhelmed by the presents they have received”

Royal spokeswoman

Other quirky presents include a £10,000 18-carat white gold bracelet featuring a jewel- encrusted nappy cream holder commissioned by Sudocrem.

The Scouts have given a baby carrier backpack and the Israeli president Shimon Peres, 89, has sent a set of baby clothes.

A Royal spokeswoman said: “The Duke and Duchess have been overwhelmed by the presents they have received.”

Couple hold wedding bash at McDonalds

A FAST food-loving couple celebrated their love of junk grub by holding their wedding reception at McDonald’s

Fast food wedding: Would you like fries with that?

Steven Asher, 28, wooed his new wife Emily Marshall, 21, with a string of romantic dates under the Golden Arches.

And after tying the knot on Saturday, the couple headed back to McDonald’s for a £150 fast-food feast in a bid to make their day “as memorable as possible”.

“I got quite a few people staring at me but I didn’t care. It was my big day and I was there to enjoy myself”

Emily, bride

They arrived in a stretch limo and dined with their 33 guests in a roped-off area at their local branch in Cribbs Causeway, Bristol.

Emily, 21, tucked into a chicken nugget meal with coke for her wedding breakfast, while Steven had the Chicken Legend meal with a strawberry milkshake.

Warehouse worker Steven said: “It was a great day and everyone enjoyed themselves – everyone loves McDonald’s, don’t they?”

Emily said: “I got quite a few people staring at me but I didn’t care. It was my big day and I was there to enjoy myself.”

The couple were treated to a bottle of champagne by McDonald’s bosses but had to save it for later as the diner is not licensed.

The couple, from Lawrence Weston, Bristol, eat at McDonald’s whenever they can afford it.

Man banned from New Zealand for being too FAT

A CHEF who loves eating as much as cooking has been told he has to get out of New Zealand for being too fat.

Albert Buitenhuis weighs over 20 stone (Pic posed by model)

Albert Buitenhuis, who moved from South Africa to New Zealand with his wife Marthie in 2007, weighs over 20 stone and has been told by immigration officials that he does not have "an acceptable standard of health."

Nearly a THIRD of the country are overweight, making it have one of the highest obesity rates in the developed worlds.

Mr Buitenhuis managed to lose four and a half stone off his weight, but it's not enough for officials to let him remain in the country.

His wife said that up until now he's had no problems with renewing his visa.

She said: "We applied year after year and there were no issues.

“It is important that all migrants have an acceptable standard of health”

Immigration spokesman

"They never mentioned Albert's weight or his health once and he was a lot heavier then."

Ms Buitenhuis added: "The irony is that at the moment he weighs less than when we first arrived in New Zealand and also less than in his first medical, which was accepted by immigration authorities."

An immigration spokesman said his weight would put a strain on health services.

He said: "It is important that all migrants have an acceptable standard of health to minimise costs and demands on New Zealand's health services."

The couple plan to cite his recent weight loss in appealing the decision to throw him out of the country.

Two men dead and girl 13 critical after knife attack

ONE man is dead and a 13-year-old-girl, understood to be his daughter, is fighting for her life after a knife attack.

Police chase ended when car smashed into the Alliance pub

The alleged knifeman died a short time later after driving a car into the side of a pub.

Greater Manchester Police are not looking for anybody else in connection with the attacks.

Police called to a house in Moston at 10.20pm last night found the body of a 41-year-old man who had been stabbed.

The 13-year-old girl suffered serious knife injuries was taken to hospital where she is in a critical condition.

Just before 1am today, police were called to Watfield Walk in Harpurhey after a man threatened a car owner with a knife and stole a vehicle.

pubsign

“Police approached a 34-year-old man who then drove the car into the side of the Alliance pub.”

A short time later in nearby Rochdale Road officers approached a 34-year-old man who then drove the car into the side of the Alliance pub.

He was taken to hospital suffering from a stab wound and injuries consistent with a collision but died a short time later.
No one else was injured in the smash.

Det Supt Simon Barraclough, from the major incident team, said: "We are in the very early stages of our inquiries and are piecing together the circumstances that led to two men losing their lives and a 13-year-old girl fighting for her life in hospital.

"Obviously the community will be shocked."

Anyone with information should phone police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Fifty Shades of Grey sparks rise in kinky sex 999 calls

SAUCY book Fifty Shades of Grey has sparked a rise in 999 calls, with firefighters having to rescue kinky Brits trapped in handcuffs.

There has been a huge rise in the number of Brits getting trapped in handcuffs

The London Fire Brigade revealed it has been called out 79 times due to bedroom games going wrong.

And the soaring number of incidents has forced the service to warn: "If using handcuffs, keep the keys to hand".

Officer Dave Brown added: “Some of the incidents our firefighters are called out could be prevented with a little common sense.

Firefighters have become concerned by the influence of saucy book Fifty Shades of Grey

“I don’t know whether it’s the Fifty Shades effect, but the number of incidents involving items like handcuffs seems to have gone up”

London Fire Brigade officer Dave Brown

"I don’t know whether it’s the Fifty Shades effect, but the number of incidents involving items like handcuffs seems to have gone up.

“I’m sure most people will be Fifty Shades of red by the time our crews arrive to free them.”

The Brigade also revealed it has previously had to deal with a man who got his privates stuck in a toaster.

Hollywood hero Johnny Depp ready to retire from films

QUIRKY Hollywood star Johnny Depp is on the verge of quitting movies.

Johnny Depp has had enough of acting

Heart-throb Depp's latest film The Lone Ranger, in which he plays Native American sidekick warrior Tonto, got panned by some critics.

And yesterday he admitted life as an actor is "a kind of insane option for a human being".

The 50-year-old star said he would not be "dropping out any second" but the moment was "probably not too far away".

He told BBC Breakfast: "At a certain point you start thinking and you know when you add up the amount of dialogue you say per year, for example, and you realise that you've said written words more than you've actually had a chance to say your own words, you start thinking about that as a kind of insane option for a human being.

"So are there quieter things that I wouldn't mind doing? Yeah, I would not mind that."

Jahmene Douglas blasts Katy Perry saucy lyrics as 'wrong'

CLEAN cut pop star Jahmene Douglas has blasted Katy Perry for her saucy lyrics.

Jahmene Douglas refused to perform Katy perry's racy track

The X Factor runner-up, who is sitting pretty at number one in the album charts this week, said that he was shocked when he read the lyrics to Katy's hit Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F).

He described the lyrics as "wrong," and refused to sing it with the other X Factor acts during the results show.

Jahmene told Metro: "The lyrics were about threesomes and getting naked and dancing on tables and getting wasted.

"Ella Henderson was 16 at the time and there are eight-year-olds in the audience.

“The lyrics were about threesomes and getting naked and dancing on tables and getting wasted”

Jahmene Douglas

"It’s wrong."

The former Asda shelf-stacker added: "I was thinking 'I really can’t minister that message to people who might be looking up to me.'"

Jahmene came second on The X factor to winner James Arthur.

Katy Perry plus boobs, marvellous

Justin Bieber fans plan to clone him from his spit

Justin Bieber fans are desperate for him to spit on them so they can raise an army of clones

Crazy fans claiming they would be 'honoured' if Justin Bieber decided to spit on them

The teens claimed it was an “honour” to be showered with the star’s DNA and a chance to make a Justin of their own.

Beliebers rallied round the pop brat after he spat at fans from a hotel balcony.

Yo Bieeeeber tweeted yester-day: “If justin tries to spit on me its ok bc i can always use his DNA to make a clone, and I can have Justin for myself.”

Hayley agreed: “Tbh if justin bieber spat on me, I’d bottle his spit up, clone him then I could have a bieber all to myself mmmm YES PLEASE.”

Justin drove to Selena Gomez, his girlfriend's 21st birthday bash in his leopard print Audi

“If justin tries to spit on me its ok bc i can always use his DNA to make a clone, and I can have Justin for myself”

A Bieber fan, via twitter

Megan wrote: “i don’t know how Justin Bieber spitting on somebody is disrespectful. he can spit on me whenever he wants.”

And Rauhlerific added: “ok where is the proof that Justin spit on fans like really if he spit on me I’d be honoured.”

The 19-year-old left music-lovers outraged when pictures emerged of him spitting from his apartment in Toronto, Canada.

He had just posted a video on Instagram showing crowds of admirers waiting below, hopeful for a glimpse of their idol.

The gloating star wrote: “I wake up this morning to this :0 Best fans in the world. #beliebers #sexyfans.”

Bieber has not yet responded to claims that he was deliberately targeting the fans who have made him a multi-millionaire.

Meanwhile he drove to his girl-friend’s 21st bash in his leopard print Audi A8.

He stole the show at singer Selena Gomez’s gypsy-themed party in Malibu on Saturday night.