Suarez could replace Balotelli if Liverpool miss top four

"There is virtually no chance of tempting Suarez away before the deadline, though even Steven Gerrard has recently alluded that the striker deserves Champions League football."

With the news of Mario Balotelli's departure back to Italy, Christian Crowther takes a look at who the champions could get in as a late replacement...

The news of Mario Balotelli's imminent arrival at AC Milan has created a sense of national mourning from English football fans and media alike.

But while others are left contemplating a Balotelli-less future with heavy hearts, Mario's surrogate father, Roberto Mancini, will be scanning the transfer landscape for another son to adopt.

If reports are to be believed, Manchester City's near-bottomless coffers will be boosted to the tune of around £20 million from the sale of the eccentric striker.

However, time is clearly ticking for them to flex their financial muscle and replace Balotelli during this window. If Mancini has been lining someone up all along then the Italian has done an exceptional job to keep it on the down low.

Of course the calibre of replacements would have to be extremely high and the two names which have been linked the heaviest certainly fit into that bracket.

However, to prise either Edinson Cavani or Radamel Falcao away from their clubs at this stage may prove a difficult task in the little time remaining in the window.

Napoli's top scorer Cavani is involved in a title push in Italy, just three points behind Juventus at present and rated at 4.67/2 for the scudetto, so a move now would be highly unlikely.

Likewise, Falcao's team Atletico have the chance of making history by finishing above city rivals Real for the first time since 1995/96 and, at the very least, look like making the Champions League for the first time since 2009/10.

As well as the race against time, Man City do not have the lure of Champions League football to attract these big players this season either, making a summer transfer by far the most likely scenario.

Another player on the radar and much closer to home is Liverpool's Luis Suarez. Again, there is virtually no chance of tempting the Uruguayan away before the deadline, though even Steven Gerrard has recently alluded that the striker deserves Champions League football.

At this point, Liverpool look big outsiders to make the top-four spots - available at around 9.417/2 - before their trip to the Emirates on Wednesday night.

If the Reds fail to make it, a Suarez move could be a real possibility.

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Transfer News: Aguero to replace Tevez at City?

Premier League / Maxliu / 17 July 2011 / Leave a Comment

Eastlands bound?

"Is it worth having a small wager on Tevez to stay at [3.7]?"

If one Argentina strikers goes another may arrive at Eastlands, United chase "new Kaka" and Wenger prepares for life after Cesc. Let us know what you think of the latest transfer rumours...

If Argentine striker Carlos Tevez does leave Eastlands this summer - he's [1.15] to leave - then Diego Maradona's son-in-law might be the man who replaces him.

That's the latest rumour buzzing around Eastlands with the Blues reportedly interested in brining Sergio Aguero in from Atletico Madrid. The striker will cost City around £38 million - the type of fee they may recoup if Tevez leaves. However, City have so far failed to agree a fee with Corinthians, Tevez's main suitors, and there are only three days to go until the Brazilian transfer window closes. Is it worth having a small wager on Tevez to stay at [3.7]?

City fans, what do you think? With your team [5.2] to win the Premier League, is Augero the man for you if Tevez goes?

Forward motion is on the cards at White Hart Lane too with reports the Peter Crouch may leave Tottenham before the end of the transfer window. Betfair don't as yet have a To Stay market on the England striker so it's a surprise to here that he could return to Queens Park Rangers as Neil Warnock prepares a cheeky bid. Crouch spent a season at Loftus Road a decade ago but do the Hoops think he's the man to lead their Premier League charge this season?

Manchester United may not sign Samir Nasri - [1.6] to stay at Arsenal - but they are setting their sights on young Brazilian midfielder Paulo Henrique Ganso. Dubbed "the new Kaka", Ganso plays for Santos and it's understood that United might be able to land him for around £25 million.

Meanwhile, the arrival of ex-Red Devils John O'Shea and Wes Brown at the Stadium of Light means that Anton Ferdinand could find himself surplus to requirements. A return to West Ham might be on the cards for the defender or a move to Birmingham.

Arsene Wenger is already seeking replacements for Cesc Fabregas - [1.78] to stay at Arsenal - and Napoli's Marek Hamsik is at the top of his list. The Slovakian, who has, at the age of 23, already captained his country is seen as the ideal solution to filling the hole that the Spaniard would leave in the Gunners' midfield.

Harry Redknapp has once again insisted that wantaway midfielder Luka Modric will be a Spurs player at the start of the season....

Arsene Wenger does not plan to report Barcelona to FIFA over Xavi's comments about Cesc Fabregas but has hit out at the Barca player for being disrespectful....

The papers have combined to find four potential targets for Aston Villa as they try to improve their squad with the funds recouped for Ashley Young and Stewart Downing....

Patrick Vieira has announced the end of his glorious career, having won trophies with all four clubs that employed him since 1996 as well as reaching the top with his country....

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