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Afternoon Ticker: City to sign Toure, Obama invited to World Cup and more

Kolo Toure 1 (Reuters)

by GIANFRANCO PANIZO

Manchester City has been awfully busy in the transfer window this summer, but the club doesn't look to stop now, having set its sights on Arsenal defender Kolo Toure.

Toure is reportedly close to landing a deal with Manchester City, with a medical all that could be left before his official signing. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, however, said that nothing has been decided yet.

If the Ivorian defender joins Manchester City, he would join a team that signed Roque Santa Cruz, Carlos Tevez and Toure's former teammate, Emmanuel Adebayor earlier this summer.

Here are more stories from today:

Obama receives World Cup invitation

When FIFA's president personally meets with the President of the United States, you know soccer is growing in this country.

That's what happened on Monday as FIFA President Sepp Blatter ended his four-day tour of the United States by paying a visit to the White House. Blatter personally signed a certificate inviting President Barack Obama and his family to the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Obama couldn't guarantee that he would attend, but said he would check to see when it would be possible for him to go to South Africa.

The two presidents also sppke about the United States' bid for the 2018 or 2022 World Cup.

Kansas City signs Hungarian striker

The Kansas City Wizards signed forward Zoltan Hercegfalvi on Tuesday.

The Hungarian striker joins Major League Soccer from Honved FC in Budapest, Hungary. Zoltan, as he will be identified on his jersey, has played for three clubs in his native land, as well as Slavia Prague in Czech Republic. The 29-year-old forward has also made three national team appearances for Hungary.

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What do you think of Toure possibly heading to Manchester City? Is Obama already your favorite president? Will Hercegfalvi make an immediate impact in MLS?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Hey Ives or someone else knowledgable,
    Off topic, but what do you think about Colorado signing Smith and waiving Cooke. In past seasons Cooke has been one of my favorite players to watch. Has he had a recent dip in form? Do you think a MLS team will sign him? Thanks as always for the great site.

    Reply
  2. Man City is building up that back line. Something that they didn’t do last year and it showed. I think they’re gonna move into the top 4.

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  3. Could be one of the better pick ups for City this summer, right behind Gareth Barry. Yeah they have picked up some quality strikers but in reality success in the Prem is built on defense. Look at Fulham last year. 4th best defense in the Prem and they moved up to 7th.

    If City get Lescott then I think they will make the top 4. Given is a class keeper and once they put some decent bodies in front of him, people are going to have a lot of trouble scoring against City.

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  4. on second thought, at least if the nats play poorly, President Obama will be on hand to apologize. Recognizing our weaknesses is his forte.

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  5. Will Arsenal have any players left to field? To be fair though, Vermaelen was signed, so I can see him filling in for Toure. Dunno if they’re the same quality though…

    Posted by: J.M. | July 28, 2009 at 10:12 PM

    Wenger must be high on Vermaelen to let Kolo go. Also Arsenal got Senderos back from loan. So that’s 2 defenders added and one lost.

    Clichy-Gallas-Vermaelen-Sagna

    Gibbs-Senderos-Djourou-Traore (B/U’s)

    and Silvetre also (hmmmm)

    Really young though. Maybe Arsenal can score a lot more this year.

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  6. Zoltan is not a bad dude, afterall he granted Tom Hanks’ wish in Big. Dude seems to have a some serious talent if he can do that.

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  7. it does get a little annoying to see ‘dignitaries’ (any and all) meddling in sports. GTFO, we enjoy sports to get AWAY from YOU, not be reminded 24/7 everywhere we look.

    Posted by: jjraines | July 28, 2009 at 11:18 PM

    Absolutly agree!

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  8. the gunners could put gibbs in CB again but he might of blown it last year when he tripped up against man utd or sagna could move more central. im just more interested in if eduardo will be starting foward or will Theo fill the spot. Also who will named arsenal new vice captian? i guess we’ll just have to wait a couple of miore weeks.

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  9. Funny I never heard Blatter personally invite our last president for the 06 World Cup. Wonder why.

    Not that I really care, but it does get a little annoying to see ‘dignitaries’ (any and all) meddling in sports. GTFO, we enjoy sports to get AWAY from YOU, not be reminded 24/7 everywhere we look.

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  10. Will Arsenal have any players left to field? To be fair though, Vermaelen was signed, so I can see him filling in for Toure. Dunno if they’re the same quality though…

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  11. That sucks that Arsenal may lose Toure. On the bright side, they’re hopefully overpaying for him, so I’d like to think Wenger can get a veteran and a young guy with funds to spare to replace him.

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  12. Will the President be on hand for the 1st USA game or just whatever games he likes? he better be going crazy over USA pride as everyone else should be. We’re making it out of the group stage, no doubt about it.

    I’m hoping for Altidore to get a hat-trick in 1 of the first few games.

    And I know it already Dempsey gonna be our top-scorer.

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  13. Well, Man City could play with 2 in the back and Shay Given would still have less to do there than back when he was at Newcastle over the last few years.

    (I say that as a Newcastle fan.)

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  14. You know what would really make Obama’s appearance at the World Cup sweeter? The U.S. playing South Africa in the opening game. Make it happen Sepp.

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  15. Zoltan and continuum transfunctioner……………….lol! great memory Yinka Double dare!

    And why couldent MLS(Kansas City) sign a 19-year old AMerican who was highly rated youth prospect that went to College instead. Does MLS understand that it wont be a good league until the American youth are present………. i mean some MLS teams dont have a player younger than 23. Shocking really.

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  16. Man city’s clearly gunning for Arsenal’s championes league spot, and I’m starting to think they might get it. Losing Toure would be a big loss to Arsenal’s already thin back line.

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  17. Thanks for that Yinka…made me spit out my afterwork beer. ZOLTAN!!! I’m a wizards STH and should probably start looking into a bubblewrap jumpsuit

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  18. well put tony. i’m sure by then President Obama will have everything well under control, and able to enjoy a little footy.

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  19. I haven’t had a chance to watch Arsenal lately… is the Toure transfer a smart move on Wenger’s part? From what I’ve read, he’s not an automatic first-choice anymore, and certainly Arsenal still needs money after having built the Emirates Stadium a couple of years ago.

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  20. “It’s sad when the most powerful man in the world has to check to see if it’s okay for him to attend the World Cup!”

    He’s checking to see WHEN and not IF, according to the story.

    I’m sorry to see Toure go. I remember when he was just starting to get playing time. It seems to soon. Arsenal has too many comings and goings to get consistency.

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  21. “It’s sad when the most powerful man in the world has to check to see if it’s okay for him to attend the World Cup!”

    No, I’m pretty sure Blatter is going to there…

    Reply
  22. Toure, is an experienced player. It should be a good pick up for Man City. It’s all about how these players gel. If there is any chemistry between them, they can push for the top four. I think they’ll land somewhere between 7th and 4th.

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  23. DON’T MESS WITH THE ZOLTAN!

    (hopefully he can score goals for KC, all we got right now is Lopez free kicks and half field shots).

    Reply
  24. Robhino–Bojinov–Tevez–Santa Cruz–Adebayor

    —Petrov—Elano—De Jong—Barry—

    —————Richards——————–

    —————-Given———————–

    Reply
  25. It’s sad when the most powerful man in the world has to check to see if it’s okay for him to attend the World Cup!

    Reply

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