Manchester City Targets Yossi Benayoun

I was surprised to read today about the transfer-rumour report concerning City's interest in Liverpool's Yossi Benayoun. The report also details the renewed interest in Inter Milan midfielder Dejan Stankovic which Soccer City FC posted about last Friday. Interesting to see how it would cost Manchester City around £14m for both players with Stankovic costing around £8m and Benayoun would be available for £6m.

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City backed out of this July's Swiss Uhrencup. The club will hold camp in Germany instead. It also appears that A.C. Milan will make their way to Eastlands for the annual Thomas Cook Trophy match on Saturday, August 9. Kaka vs. Elano will be worth the price of admission.

Nery Castillo wants to move to Spain mentioning clubs such as Villarreal, Valencia and Real Betis.

And finally, it looks like City will hand out another long-term contract to an Academy alum. This time it is goalkeeper Joe Hart.

Israeli international Yossi Benayoun could be moving to Manchester City.

Image details: Liverpool v Marseille - UEFA Champions League served by picapp.com

Carlos Vela: Premiership Bound

Mexican international Carlos Vela appears to be moving back to Arsenal after his year-long loan spell at La Liga side Osasuna. He has 3 goals in 32 league appearances this season. The 19 year-old forward/winger scored his first goal against Real Betis this past October.

Arsenal's manager Arsene Wenger stated his intention to bring Vela back via the club's official website. "We have applied for a work permit for him now," he continued, "And he will be involved with the first team next season."

Vela signed with Arsenal in 2005 and has been loaned out three times in Spain: Celta de Vigo in 2006, UD Salamanca in 2006-2007, and last season with Osasuna.

With Osasuna, Vela played on the left wing. He will be used in more of a forward role with Arsenal according to Wenger.

Prior to his arrival in London, Carlos Vela helped lead Mexico to the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championships. He was the Golden Boot winner at the tournament scoring 5 goals.

The Weekend XI - World Edition: 4/5 - 4/6

The Weekend XI - World Edition will highlight the top eleven players from around the globe as judged by Soccer City FC. 3-5-2 format will be used.

• (GK) Bordeaux's Ulrich Ramé: Shutout v Stade Rennais
• (D) Boyacá Chicó F.C.'s Mario Garcia: 1 goal v Deportes Tolima
• (D) FK Atlantas' Ivo Begic: 1 goal v FK Šilutė
• (D) Sporting Cristal's Amilton Prado: 1 goal v Atlético Minero
• (MF) Cardiff City's Joe Ledley: 1 goal (GW) v Barnsley FC
• (MF) Atletico Madrid's Simão Sabrosa: 2 goals v Almeria
• (MF) Real Betis' Mark Gonzalez: 2 goals v Real Zaragoza
• (MF) Inter's Patrick Vieira: 1 goal v Atalanta
• (MF) River Plate's Diego Buonanotte: 1 goal v CA Lanus
• (F) Middlesbrough's Afonso Alves: 2 goals v Manchester United
• (F) Ajax's Klaas-Jan Huntelaar: 3 goals v De Graafschap

League List:

• England - 2
• Spain - 2
• Argentina - 1
• Columbia - 1
• France - 1
• Italy - 1
• Lithuania - 1
• Netherlands - 1
• Peru - 1