Sergio Aguero, Diego Maradona, Edinson Cavani in World Football Gossip Roundup

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Friday's gossip roundup is the place to be. We've got Sergio Ageuro's mystery injury, Maradona being Maradona, piles of Middle Eastern cash behind a potential Cristiano Ronaldo bid, the potential successor to Harry Redknapp at Spurs, and more.

With B/R's Lead Blogger Michael Cummings on a deserved day off, I'll be your host, as we take a whistle-stop tour around the must-read stories of Friday, March 30.

Aguero's Mystery Injury

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Manchester City have ruled Sergio Aguero out of the weekend clash with Sunderland after he suffered what his manager Roberto Mancini has called a "stupid injury" to his foot.

"It is a stupid injury. It was not his fault," Mancini said. "But he can't play with this injury; for one day, 10 days or two weeks. I don't know."

Mancini's comments seem to suggest the striker's predicament is not related to his activities on the pitch, or on the training ground for that matter. But the City manager refused to elaborate on how Aguero's plight had come about.

"I prefer not to say. But he couldn't play against Stoke and can't play tomorrow. I hope he can recover for Arsenal next weekend," Mancini said, when repeatedly pressed about the nature of Aguero's problem, according to BBC.

Could it be that Ageuro dropped a jar of mayonnaise on his foot, like former Chelsea goalkeeper Dave Beasant?

Good luck to Mancini for keeping this one secret; it's coming out one way or another.

Maradona Brands Fans 'Cowards'

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Diego Maradona is never far from controversy.

This time, the Al Wasl manager found himself in a heated confrontation with Al Shabab fans during their Etisalat Pro League match in Dubai on Thursday night.

According to Gulf News, "ugly scenes" culminated in the evacuation of wives and girlfriends from the stadium, with Maradona climbing into the stands to come to the aid of his wife Veronica.

Maradona's Al Wasl lost the match 2-0, and his "entourage"—including Veronica—threw insults in the direction of Al Shabab's Brazilian striker Ciel from the stands.

The Al Shabab fans starting hurling abuse in retaliation, prompting the intervention of security forces.

Here's what Maradona had to say after the game:

"Some people are cowards. They only attack women and have no courage to confront men.

This is the first time I am upset with the fans. If they are angry with me they should know that I did it [climbed the stands] for my wife because someone was calling her names.

They shouldn’t be angry with me they should be angry with the people who did this. They are cowards, not real fans."

City in for Ronaldo

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Manchester City owners are ready to offer Real Madrid £80 million for Cristiano Ronaldo and pay him between £400,000 and £500,000/week, according to Goal.com chief correspondent Wayne Veysey:

Sources in both Manchester and Spain have told Goal.com that there has been contact between intermediaries in recent weeks to gauge the player’s interest in returning to Manchester and the early indications from the 27-year-old's camp is that he could be open to a transfer that would send shockwaves through football.

Ronaldo joined Madrid from Manchester United for a record £80 million back in 2009.

Rodgers to Spurs?

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Tottenham will reportedly turn to Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers if they fail to convince Harry Redknapp to stay on for next season, according to the Daily Express' Matt Law.

Redknapp is a strong favorite to become the next England manager in time for Euro 2012, which would leave Spurs needing a new man in the dugout over the summer.

Rodgers has garnered much praise this season, for both the results he's achieved with his team, and the manner in which they've gone about it.

Rodgers' Swansea are passing purists—they cherish possession like Barcelona and have been a revelation this season in the Premier League.

Torres to Anzhi?

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To the Daily Mirror next, who say former Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink is keen on taking Fernando Torres from the Blues to his new club, Anzhi Makhachkala:

The Russian side’s initial approaches for the Spaniard were knocked back even before a formal bid was made when it was made clear that a proprosed [sic] £35m offer would be rejected out of hand.

But Anzhi are now ready to increase that amount by £10m if Chelsea are interested in doing business.

Torres ended a long goal drought against Leicester recently and earned praise for his support play during Chelsea's Champions League quarterfinal first leg win against Benfica this week.

Now, he's also being linked to Roma, with the Daily Star reporting the Italians are ready to make an offer this summer.

Juve in for Cavani

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Napoli striker Edinson Cavani could have a difficult decision to make this summer.

According to Talksport.co.uk, Juventus have now entered the race to sign the 25-year-old, who is also thought to be on the radar of Manchester City and Chelsea.

Cavani has been hugely impressive as part of Napoli's front three this season, and the Italians are sure to want some serious cash should they acquiesce on the their star striker's departure.

 

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