World’s richest club eyeing Donovan

[royal]

World’s richest club eyeing Donovan

Martin Rogers



BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa – Landon Donovan’s pain over the United States’ World Cup exit could be eased by a lucrative transfer to the world’s richest soccer club.

Yahoo! Sports has learned that English Premier League team Manchester City has identified Donovan as one of its top targets in the gigantic summer spending spree by owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a member of the ruling family of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

Man City sent a scout to watch Donovan “in all four games” that the American played during the World Cup, according to a source who is familiar with the team’s player acquisition dealings. Another source close to the club confirmed to Yahoo! Sports that there is “significant interest” in Donovan.

Donovan will earn $2,127,777.78 with his current employer, the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer, in 2010. However, the English club would be able to offer a far greater salary, one in the region of $4 million a year. Another factor that could entice City would be the prospect of additional reach and exposure in the North American market, with Donovan’s profile and popularity at an all-time high.

While Donovan’s form during the World Cup was not always at its best, he proved himself as a clutch performer under pressure. His game-winning goal against Algeria, which saved the USA from elimination in the group stage, came with just two minutes of injury-time remaining.

Even in the disappointing round-of-16 defeat to Ghana on Saturday night, Donovan held his nerve with a coolly taken penalty kick to level the score at 1-1 in the 62nd minute.

Man City has historically operated in the shadow of its cross-town rival Manchester United, one of the most successful teams in English and European club soccer history. But since being purchased by Sheikh Mansour and his consortium of uber-rich oil magnates in 2008, the team’s fortunes have been transformed.

More than $250 million has been invested in the squad, including high-profile signings such as Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor (formerly of EPL side Arsenal), Argentina forward Carlos Tevez (Man United) and Brazil forward Robinho (Real Madrid). Man City’s next goal is a top-four finish in the Premier League and a place in the UEFA Champions League.

Donovan would represent solid value for the ambitious club. He would likely cost around $12 million in transfer fees, which would be paid by Man City and split between the Galaxy and Major League Soccer.

Everton of the EPL has been keen on acquiring Donovan full-time after he spent a highly successful loan spell there at the start of this year. If there is a bidding war, however, there will only be one winner – City.

According to numerous reports in the British press, City is poised to sign Spanish midfielder David Silva, who can operate as either an attacking central midfielder or a winger. Donovan would most likely be used on the right wing, the position he occupies for the U.S.

[rotatopoti3]

he deserve it.....he score 3 goals more than Rooney in d World Cup.....

[weary1969]

he deserve it.....he score 3 goals more than Rooney in d World Cup.....

OUCHHHHHHH

[Jah Gol]

he deserve it.....he score 3 goals more than Rooney in d World Cup.....

[weary1969]

he deserve it.....he score 3 goals more than Rooney in d World Cup.....

BY D KNEES 

[Babalawo]

he deserve it.....he score 3 goals more than Rooney in d World Cup.....

they should replace all the rooney billboards with Donovan now in the city of Manchester 

[spideybuff]

Plus, it would give Man City an american audience. More money...

[Andre]

man city on US tour this summer. they need to sell tix. i debating going to see them vs. america in the GA Dome. if only they had better opposition.

if donovan go back england, he should stick with everton IMHO. we work well in moyes system.

[fish]

Everton wanted to keep him before when he was on loan.

Dey still want him and he already play there. My guess is Everton already have the up on other teams.

[gothic]

de man not getting younger, and even though he does get real fight down here he is a class player. he should go to ManC if the opportunity really is there

[AirMan]

Donovan is in good form right now. A move to ManC will do him well

[rotatopoti3]

they should replace all the rooney billboards with Donovan now in the city of Manchester

Babalowa....Hear nah......dat aint ah bad idea....

[capodetutticapi]

them have money to waste.

[Flex]

Donovan should just say no (FIFA.COM).

JOHANNESBURG -- Just because Landon Donovan could join Manchester City doesn't mean he should.

Yahoo! Sports is reporting that the English Premier League side is ready to table a bid in the neighborhood of $12 million for the U.S. international as it looks to launch a full-scale assault on qualifying for the lucrative UEFA Champions League.

But if Donovan's prior forays into European soccer have taught us anything, it's that his choice of club, and the country wherein he resides, play a huge role in his subsequent successes or failures.

Donovan never really warmed to life in Germany during his two stints with Bayer Leverkusen, as well as a loan spell with Bayern Munich. His stretch with the Bavarians ended on particularly poor terms as he found himself caught in the crossfire between Bayern executives Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Uli Hoeness and then-manager Jurgen Klinsmann. Hoeness, in a bid to justify Klinsmann's eventual firing, said in 2009, "Klinsmann's only idea for strengthening the squad in January was Landon Donovan. [Bayern reserve team coach] Hermann Gerland told me the guy wasn't fit to play for his reserves."

This only reinforced the fact that, for Donovan to thrive, he needs to feel the support of club management, his coach, his teammates and fans.

Donovan found all of these things during his loan stint last winter with Everton. Toffees manager David Moyes showed confidence in Donovan by starting him against Arsenal shortly after he arrived, and deployed him in a supporting role that was well within the U.S. international's abilities. Donovan repaid that faith with interest. While he endured the occasional quiet game, he delivered a string of mostly solid performances, and Everton fans warmed to Donovan's work rate and ability.

Combined with his clutch performances for the U.S. at the World Cup, Donovan is now in demand. The fact that published reports have claimed that a British woman is carrying his child means he'll have to exercise even more caution in choosing his next club, despite whatever millions of dollars Manchester City might throw his way.

And boy does the club have millions to spend. Ever since Manchester City was purchased by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a member of the ruling family of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, the club has embarked on a massive spending spree. Oftentimes it has looked as if the Blues were more interested in preventing other teams from acquiring players rather than actually having a plan to build the squad. In the last year, the club has spent nearly 110 million pounds in transfer fees.

Having such a war chest points to an atmosphere in which the club tries to spend its way out of trouble if things go poorly. Manager Roberto Mancini also has the reputation as being standoffish in his dealings with players. That's not the kind of environment in which Donovan has historically thrived.

Donovan can also expect to encounter some stiff competition for playing time if he were to join the Blues. English international Shaun Wright-Phillips and rising star Adam Johnson are already on the books, as is Craig Bellamy, who, despite rumors that he would leave the club, now looks to be back in Mancini's plans.

If Donovan were to leave MLS, he might be better served returning to Everton, where he is clearly valued by Moyes and his path to playing time is free of obstacles. For that reason, the choice would appear to be easy, but money has a way of clouding the decision-making process. MLS, which holds Donovan's contract, is obligated to get the best deal it can for him. The chance for him to land a fat contract may be too good to pass up.

But if Donovan knows what's best for him -- and at this stage of his career it's likely that he does -- he'll take his considerable skills to Everton, or to a club similar to it. And he'll just say, "No" to City.

Jeff Carlisle covers MLS and the U.S. national team for ESPNsoccernet. He is also the author of "Soccer's Most Wanted II: The Top 10 Book of More Glorious Goals, Superb Saves and Fantastic Free-Kicks." He can be reached at eljefe1@yahoo.com.

[AirMan]

I say he should make the move..he can even do more on the field with players of better quality surrounding him

[Andre]

YOU ARE NOT THE FATHER!....maybe

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2010/06/soccer-stud-donovan-may-be-a-father-/1

Team USA lost to Ghana Saturday, ending their run in the World Cup, but star Landon Donvan's time in the spotlight is just beginning here in his home country. He scored some pivotal goals during the competition, making him a semi-household name, and now he has a scandal that fits right into the Hollywood way of life. A pregnant British woman has come forward to say that Donovan is the father of her child, and he has commented that he will "provide the appropriate support" if, indeed, the child is his.

Donovan played on loan with a club in Liverpool last winter and is separated, but not divorced from, Rules of Engagement star Bianca Kajlich.

[spideybuff]

And he and the wife now say they going to be working on things? If this was not the reason they were having problems in the first place, then that reunion should be off

[Peong]

Man City just sign a big attacking midfielder.  Where Donovan go play?

[Zeppo]

Mancini eyes Donovan move

Sky Sports News  understands Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is trying to seal a move for Landon Donovan.

The 28-year-old United States attacker spent a period on loan at Everton last season, and proved a real hit in the Premier League.

He is still contracted to Major League Soccer outfit Los Angeles Galaxy, but City are now thought to be interested in his signature.

(continue)

[Brownsugar]

Aye, Zeppo yuh signature stale now....ask Ghana and Asamoah Gyan....

[Zeppo]

Aye, Zeppo yuh signature stale now....ask Ghana and Asamoah Gyan....

Nah, he still scored 3 goals in this World Cup, which also happen to be 3 more than the entire T&T team scored in the last -- or any! -- World Cup.

Don't that just burn you up? 

[Brownsugar]

Aye, Zeppo yuh signature stale now....ask Ghana and Asamoah Gyan....

Nah, he still scored 3 goals in this World Cup, which also happen to be 3 more than the entire T&T team scored in the last -- or any! -- World Cup.

Don't that just burn you up? 

No it doesn't. Why?  I have realistic expectations of my team....you US fans on the other hand.....

[kicker]

I thought I remember hearing/reading that Donovan said he wouldn't play for any other club in England but Everton....

That ring a bell to anyone?

[fish]

Man City just sign a big attacking midfielder.  Where Donovan go play?

Donovan could play left, right or up top but with the amount of men Man City buyin it go be tough to start. Everton is the better bet and he play dey already.

[Marcos]

I love Donovan as a player, but the man too smart to go Man City.
Man City has too many attackers, nobody guaranteed sweat there. Why would he go there to play irregular first team football?

Man have a sweet life in LA, makin good money. He eh need to fight up in d cold and not get sweat

[dinho]

i heard if you check on sky sports, man city squad list now stands at 38.

wtf!

[kicker]

i heard if you check on sky sports, man city squad list now stands at 38.

wtf!

Major offload coming up?

[Midknight]

i heard if you check on sky sports, man city squad list now stands at 38.

wtf!

Major offload coming up?

BBC have 40!

At present it stands like this:

First XI:
Given, Lescott, Bridge, De Jong, Kompany, Toure, A. Johnson, Tevez,  Adebayor, Barry,   Bellamy
Subs:   Hart, Petrov, Vieira, Santa Cruz, Boateng, Richards, Onuoha, Garrido, Wright-Phillips, Ireland, Zabaleta
Carling Cup: Jo, Weiss, Sylvinho, Caicedo, Boyata, Vidal
Squad:   Moore, Mee, Ibrahim, Nimely, McDermott, M. Johnson, Taylor, Trippier, Nielsen, Ball, Poole Cunningham

I can see at least 3 of the Carling Cup players leaving, some of the squad being loaned out, and maybe Ireland, Petrov and Wright Phillips/Richards being tempted by other clubs.

And they since sign Silva and Kolarov...

    but they signed someone named Henshall from Swindon town as well...
Just realise the list not completely up to date - Ball and Nielsen have gone on loan, Petrov left for bBolton