Window Shopper Screamer ... It's the talk of football

Back home: David Dunn
14 April 2012

Manchester City were handed another boost yesterday when England ace Micah Richards followed team-mate Joey Barton by saying he wants to stay at the club for the forseeable future.

Barton is so upset about suggestions he may want to leave City that he is considering severing links with his agent Willie McKay.

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• The Transfer Window - Day 17

And now defender Richards,18, has put an end to talk of a move to Chelsea or Spurs.

He said: "It was great to hear about Joey. He has been at the club since a young age and it's great that he has committed his future to City.

"But Joey's decision to stay has nothing to do with my future. I want to stay at City regardless. I have been playing here since I was 17 and have been at the club since I was 14, so I'm happy to stay."

Sorry Jose, but £2m Ben Haim too pricey

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon attempted to pacify Jose Mourinho by releasing a statement detailing the reasons behind the club's decision to pull the plug on their attempts to sign Tal Ben Haim.

Mourinho's fragile truce with the Chelsea board was back in the balance after the club claimed that they could not reach an agreement with Bolton after nearly two weeks of talks.

Bolton wanted £2million for the defender, who is out of contract at the end of the season, but Chelsea were not prepared to back their manager's judgment and offered a fraction of that figure.

It is further proof that Mourinho no longer has the backing of his billionaire owner Roman Abramovich and will cast doubt over whether the Chelsea chief has any kind of future at the club.

Mourinho is still without injured skipper John Terry and he expected Kenyon to deliver his top transfer target in time for the clash with Liverpool on Saturday.

Hammers head chase for Neill

West Ham are favourites to capture defender Lucas Neill from Blackburn in a £2million deal after Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez refused to meet his wage demands.

Chelsea are also showing an interest along with Newcastle and Barcelona, but the 28-year-old Aussie has been attracted to Upton Park by the offer of a £45,000-a-week pay packet.

Stoke will today sign Blackburn defender Dominic Matteo on a free transfer.

Saints refuse to Bale out

Manchester United have had another bid for Southampton teenager Gareth Bale turned down.

The offer — thought to be a £5m downpayment with £3m of add-ons — was tabled on Tuesday, but United have been told that they will have to dig deeper for the Wales left back.

United have also been told by Helsingborgs that they should move quickly if they want to keep loan striker Henrik Larsson beyond March 12.

United forward Giuseppe Rossi, who has been at Newcastle, has joined his former club Parma on loan until June 30.

Moyes keeping up with the Joneses

Everton manager David Moyes is ready to move for Crewe defender Billy Jones after dropping out of the running for Sheffield Wednesday's Madjid Bougherra.

Moyes was forced to look elsewhere after Wednesday demanded £3million for the Algeria international and he made a personal check on the England Under 19 player in Crewe's 1-0 defeat by Tranmere Rovers on Tuesday.

Coppell won't be taken for a ride on Halford

Reading will make a final £2million bid for defender Greg Halford after dismissing Colchester's £4m price tag as ridiculous'.

Manager Steve Coppell has had offers of £1.2m and £1.5m for 22-yearold Halford rejected. Reading have also bid for Cork City defender Alan Bennett, while Coppell is giving a trial to Metz midfielder Daniel Bocande.

Marshall on the move

Celtic keeper David Marshall has joined Norwich on loan until the end of the season.

The 21-year-old capped twice by Scotland, had found his route to the first team blocked by Artur Boruc.

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