Manchester City beats AC Milan

Silva open the scoring, Richards, Kolarov, Edin Dzeko scored twice

Manchester City booked their place in the final of the Audi Cup after a 5-3 win over AC Milan in Munich.

Manuel Pellegrini's men were 5-0 up and cruising after just 35 minutes as David Silva, Aleksandar Kolarov, Micah Richards and Edin Dzeko (2) punished a lackluster start from the Italians.

But Milan rallied and scored three goals in six minutes through an Stephan El Shaarawy brace and one from Andrea Petagna.

But there was to be no repeat of the goal blitz in the second half with both teams tiring as the game wore on and the Premier League side easily held on.

The first half of the game had been breathless and Silva slotted home City's opener after just three minutes when he pounced on a lay-off from Dzeko.

And it wasn't long before City stamped their authority on the game as two goals in four minutes from Richards and Kolarov had them 3-0 up midway through the half.

Richards' strike came after new-boy Fernandinho played a delicious through ball to the full-back, who finished at the second attempt.

Kolarov, being allowed the freedom of the left side by Milan's reluctance to attack, got his strike after collecting a pass after a powerful run from Stevan Jovetic.

City, fielding a stronger side than Milan and further on in their preseason preparations, added a fourth in the 32nd minute when Dzeko got the first of his brace, tapping home a Jesus Navas cross.

But his second was to be the goal of the game. Just four minutes after his first strike, the Bosnian forward showed tremendous skill to control the ball on his chest with his back to goal, before turning in one movement to volley home.

City were in exhibition mode but just when they thought it was all too easy, Milan then scored three in six minutes. El Shaaraway broke clear of a poor offside trap to get his team's first in the 37th minute and then stayed alert to score a second two minutes later.

City stopped, believing there was about to be a whistle for offside, but when play continued the youngster simply slotted home unchallenged.

Petagna suggested a comeback was on when he made it 5-3 in the 42nd minute, but that would prove to be the final score.

Spurs close in on Soldado deal

Roberto Soldado's move from Valencia to Tottenham has his a snag with his agents.

A problem between Valencia and Roberto Soldado's agents is now the only issue holding up his move toTottenham.

The Spanish club's president has reached agreement with Tottenham over the transfer, which suggests Spurs have agreed to meet Soldado's buyout clause of £26m.

Amadeo Salvo said last week he would not sell the striker for a penny less than a fee which would represent a club record for the Londoners.

And, speaking to local media on Wednesday, Salvo said: "The deal with Tottenham has been completed."

All that now apparently stands in the way of the move is a dispute with the Spain international's representatives.

Salvo said: "A problem with Soldado's agents has come up and the player will not leave the club until a solution has been found."

Soldado, 28, scored 30 goals in 46 appearances for Valencia last season.

Zidane wants to speak to Bale

Zinedine Zidane (R) speaks to Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti in Los Angeles.

Zinedine Zidane says Tottenham should let him speak to Gareth Bale and insists Real Madrid will not give up the chase.

The Spanish giants are ready to break the world-record transfer fee for Spurs' Welsh winger.

Real are already understood to have tabled an £85million offer for Bale and could go even higher, although White Hart Lane chairman Daniel Levy appears determined to hang on to his star man.

However, Real legend and director of football Zidane believes unsettled Bale should be given the opportunity to discuss a possible move.

Speaking from the US, where Real are preparing for Friday's friendly against the Los Angeles Galaxy, Zidane said: "If he's expressed a desire to join Madrid, then Tottenham should give him permission to speak with us.

"The chance to play for Real Madrid might only come around once in a player's lifetime - and it's understandable Gareth doesn't want to miss out on it."

Bale is due to report back at Tottenham on Wednesday, although a muscle injury means he is unlikely to train and will probably not be involved in the weekend friendly against Monaco.

The 24-year-old forward is said to be frustrated by Levy's stance on the pursuit by Real, and Zidane added: "It's not unusual when a player knows that Real Madrid are interested in them, that they get excited.

"There is nothing more prestigious for a player to wear than the white of Real Madrid."

Carlo Ancelotti's side have already spent an estimated €70million (£61million) this summer signing Isco, Asier Illarramendi, Dani Carvajal and Casemiro, but Zidane says the club is not put off by the numbers involved in any possible deal for Bale."This is modern football. You have to pay to get the best players in Europe," said the Frenchman.

"Last season, Gareth was on the same level as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. The best players can have not so great games but change a game with a moment of brilliance.

"Those are the sort of players that win you Champions League and league titles."

Zidane also believes Bale can improve his game at the Bernabeu.

"He is already one of the finest players in Europe and he has everything needed to become the best player in the world," he added.

"It's a bit of a cliche but it's true - you become a better player playing with better players."

Meanwhile, Sergio Ramos has adopted a more ambiguous tone with regards to the possibility of Real signing Bale.

"I think that the price of the player is dictated by the market," said Ramos.

"It's not my job to decide whether we should sign Bale or someone else. It's important for Madrid to have a large number of young players and Spanish players in the team. The mix of youth and experience makes for a good project. The president and the other directors will decide whether or not we sign Bale, not me."

Rodgers: Suarez understands position

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has been the subject of two bids from Arsenal.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers claims Luis Suarez "totally understands" the club's refusal to entertain any offers for the striker.

Arsenal have had two bids rejected, the last one of £40,000,001million which they believed would trigger a sale clause.

Liverpool have always maintained they merely had to inform the player of offers of that magnitude and have been steadfast in stating Suarez is not for sale.

They believe they are owed a degree of loyalty from the 26-year-old forward after standing by him during the race row with Patrice Evra which saw him banned for eight matches and during his current suspension of 10 games for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic.

The 26-year-old Uruguay international still appears keen to leave Anfield, although he has stopped short of submitting a transfer request or seeking legal recourse, but Rodgers said it had not affected his attitude.

"It's a story that can keep running but for me there is no new news," Rodgers told the Liverpool Echo.

"Luis is happy. He totally understands the club's point of view. He's in a difficult position in terms of not being able to play because of his suspension - he will sit out the first six games and he will miss playing football.

"But he's working hard and remains part of the group. He hasn't been moping about. It's obviously difficult when you come back after a break but he has settled in and has been working well. He needs to get up to speed and we will continue to work to get all the players ready for the first game of the season."

Suarez's situation was the transfer saga of the summer until it was recently overtaken by Real Madrid's pursuit of Tottenham's Gareth Bale with hardly a day going by without him being in the headlines.

It was not helped with the player being on Confederations Cup duty, delaying his link-up with the rest of the squad until he flew out to Australia on July 21 for their third pre-season friendly.

Rodgers is confident, however, it has not had a destabilising effect on the rest of the squad.

"It could have unsettled them but it hasn't," he added. "It says a lot about their professionalism: the environment that we're creating is that the star will always be the team.

"We want to have top players here but if for whatever reason we don't, we will always know we can rely on the team and each other. The harmony in the group is very good. The spirit is strong. Right across the club there is a one club mentality. If we can keep it that way we can have a great season."

Valencia sets sights on Torres

Each day we'll bring you the very latest tabloid rumors as the biggest clubs around splash the cash to bolster their rosters. True or not, they're always entertaining...



Tottenham want Luka Modric from Real Madrid as part of the world record deal for Gareth Bale

Meanwhile, Spurs are in talks with Cardiff City who want to sign 21-year-old central defender Steven Caulker.

Arsenal will have to pay £55m if they still want Liverpool's Luis Suarez after the striker dropped his pursuit of arbitration as a means of leaving for less.

Queens Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton wants to play for boyhood heroes Everton and is willing to take a 50 per cent pay cut to make the move happen.

Liverpool have made a fresh approach for Schalke's central defender Kyriakos Papadopoulos.

Sunderland are closing in on the £1.25m signing of winger Charis Mavrias, 19, from Panithinaikos, paving the way for James McClean to join Celtic.

Former manager Fabio Capello has warned that England will never win the World Cup - because the players are always "running on empty" after a long season with no winter break.



Daniel Levy will reject any Real Madrid players being used in the deal for Spurs star Gareth Bale who he now values at £125m.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane has pleaded with Spurs: Let Gareth Bale talk to us or he may not get another chance.

Chelsea have told German champions Bayern Munich that it will cost them £60m to sign Brazil star David Luiz.

West Ham are set to make a move for Sporting Lisbon's former Chelsea defender Khalid Boulahrouz, but will have a £5m bid for Norwich's Scotland winger Robert Snodgrass rejected.

Reading boss Nigel Adkins wants to sign Cardiff striker Etien Velikonja on loan, while frontman Simon Church is in talks with Charlton after being released by the Royals.

Wigan have made a £500,000 bid for unwanted Norwich City defender Leon Barnett.



Zinedine Zidane has told Tottenham: Don't deny Gareth Bale the chance to fulfil his Real Madrid dream.

Manchester United have been accused of fleecing their fans by becoming the first British club to make it pay-per-view to watch a game.

Everton are preparing a £15m offer for Wigan's James McCarthy despite being told the 22-year-old midfielder will cost £20m.

West Ham want to sign striker Loic Remy from QPR and will revive their interest in Chelsea's Demba Ba if Remy is unwilling to move.

Hull City boss Steve Bruce is leading a six-way race to sign former Manchester City midfielder Abdisalam Ibrahim.

Lyon striker Bafetimbi Gomis claims he has agreed terms on a move to Newcastle - but the French side will refuse to lower their £9m asking price.



Gareth Bale will report back to training today as Real Madrid keep up their seduction, with Zinedine Zidane claiming the player should be allowed to leave Tottenham and follow his dreams.

If Bale does move then Spurs could join north London neighbors Arsenal in the pursuit of Liverpool striker Luis Suarez.

Valencia are planning an audacious move for Chelsea striker Fernando Torres with Roberto Soldado set to join Spurs.

Cardiff City have made an £8m bid for Spurs defender Steven Caulker.

Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner is a target for European sides Malaga, Hamburg and FC Twente.

QPR are in talks with Dinamo Moscow over the £1.5m sale of left-back Armand Traore, with French side Bordeaux also interested.



Real Madrid have indicated they will break the bank if necessary to get Gareth Bale as Zinedine Zidane cranked up the pressure on Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy to sell.

Liverpool face fierce competition from Borussia Dortmund for the signature of 23-year-old Rubin Kazan forward Salomon Rondon.

The Reds have agreed a loan deal for Benfica left-back Lorenzo Melgarejo with a view to a permanent £8.5m transfer.



Gareth Bale will report to Tottenham Hotspur's training ground in turmoil today as the prospect of a world-record £85million transfer to Real Madrid threatens to boil over into acrimony.

Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola has ruled out a move for Chelsea defender David Luiz.

Stoke will send England international keeper Jack Butland out on loan this season as they become increasingly confident Asmir Begovic will stay.

Liverpool have taken the unusual step of issuing employees with a list of explicitly unacceptable language to be eradicated on a matchday.



Tottenham Hotspur will reluctantly agree to sell Gareth Bale to Real Madrid as long as Luka Modric is included in what would be a world-record transfer deal.

Meanwhile, Spurs look to have edged ahead of Roma in the race to sign Steaua Bucharest defender Vlad Chiriches who is valued at £6.8m.

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel is set for talks with Napoli, now managed by former Reds boss Rafael Benitez.



Striker Luis Suarez has not requested Premier League intervention in his contract dispute with Liverpool, one week on from Arsenal's club record bid of £40,000,001 for the Uruguay international.

English football has been warned it has allowed one of its major clubs to be exploited as a "branding vehicle" by an international regime accused of human rights abuses after a trial in Abu Dhabi, a country ruled by Manchester City's owner and his brothers, was widely denounced as repressive, involving torture, and "fundamentally unfair".