World Football Gossip Roundup: Stevan Jovetic, Robert Lewandowski, Carles Puyol

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Two more big names are being linked with moves to the city of Manchester.

But who are they? And which half of Manchester are we talking about?

The two big Manchester clubs' latest transfer targets form the backbone of this Wednesday edition of the B/R World Football Gossip Roundup. Inside, we also have updates on Joao Moutinho, Carles Puyol's injury and financial fair play.

Keep reading for all the details.

Manchester City Scouting Stevan Jovetic

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Manchester City's Patrick Vieira scouted Fiorentina forward Stevan Jovetic over the weekend as City prepare to make a winter move for the Montenegrin (via talkSPORT).

Jovetic, 22, has a contract with Fiorentina until 2016. City were thought to have been interested in signing him this past summer.

Manchester United to Watch Robert Lewandowski

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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will watch Borussia Dortmund forward Robert Lewandowski on Wednesday when Borussia Dortmund face Manchester City in the Champions League (via Daily Telegraph).

The Telegraph reports that United failed with a €20 million bid for Lewandowski in August. The 24-year-old joined Dortmund from Lech Poznan in 2010 and has earned 47 caps with Poland. His contract expires in 2014, and he is widely expected to leave the club at the end of the current season.

In other United transfer news, former goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel has recommended FC Nordsjaelland defender Jores Okore to Ferguson (via Goal.com). Okore, 20, has made four senior appearances for Denmark.

Joao Moutinho to Stay with Porto?

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Portugal international midfielder Joao Moutinho says he will remain with Porto in January (via Daily Mirror).

Moutinho, 26, was linked with a move to Tottenham during the summer transfer window, and Spurs reportedly missed out on signing him "by minutes" (via Daily Telegraph).

But according to the Mirror, Moutinho has pledged his short-term future to Porto.

“I’ve made the decision to stay with Porto," he said. "We believe in the value and quality we have here. I’m happy and what I want most is to win against PSG (in Wednesday's Champions League group game).”

Carles Puyol to Miss 6 Weeks

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Barcelona defender Carles Puyol will miss six weeks of action after dislocating his elbow on Tuesday (via ESPN FC).

Puyol, 34, injured the elbow when he landed awkwardly after challenging for a high ball in Benfica's box during Barcelona's 2-0 Champions League victory in Portugal.

Barca will play rivals Real Madrid on Sunday in Spain's La Liga.

Borussia Dortmund Chief Calls out Manchester City Finances

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Borussia Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke has criticized "back-door funding" of some European clubs. Dortmund are set to face Manchester City on Wednesday in the Champions League (via Daily Mail).

Fans own 51 percent of Borussia Dortmund, the two-time defending German champions. United Arab Emirates businessman Sheikh Mansour owns Manchester City, the defending English champions.

City have a 10-year, £350 million sponsorship with Etihad, a company controlled by Mansour's brother.

Watzke said:

UEFA must find the thin line between sponsorship and excessive back-door funding – they must show strength to expel big clubs. No tycoon should be allowed to pump crazy money into a club with sponsorship from five companies he controls. If that happens, financial fair play will fail.

Watzke also said Dortmund would not take on foreign investment.

 

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