More interesting transfer news are out and it has been reported that French side Lyon has said that they are powerless to stop Manchester United target Karim Benzema from leaving. It is believed that the French side are desperate to keep hold of their star striker but it is a fact that United have money to burn when Cristiano Ronaldo joins Real Madrid and Alex Ferguson is believed to be ready to swoop.
Sensational transfer news are out and it has been reported that Manchester United are monitoring Arsenal star striker Robin van Persie.
It is believed that Sir Alex Ferguson is aware the £20million-rated striker is yet to commit to a new contract at The Emirates and the United chief’s interest has intensified after Van Persie admitted prizes mean more to him than money.
Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has claimed Manchester United, Chelsea and Barcelona have all made offers for France playmaker Franck Ribery.
Ribery is also a target for big-spending Real Madrid but Rummenigge revealed three of their European rivals have stolen a march in their pursuit of the 26-year-old.
Asked if Madrid had made an offer, Rummenigge said: "No but other clubs have done. Chelsea have lodged a bid, as have Manchester United and Barcelona.
Interesting transfer news are coming from the English Premier League and it has been reported that Tottenham midfielder David Bentley is on his way to Aston Villa.
Local newspapers have reported that Bentley is poised to end his horror spell at White Hart Lane by signing for Aston Villa on July 1.
The final fee is expected to be little more than half the £15million Spurs paid for Bentley last season so Harry Redknapp may have to sell again to afford his summer targets.
According to British tabloid The Sun, Owen would welcome a switch to the Viola, despite the fact a move to Italy would almost certainly mean a drop in income.
Although he has an impressive CV that includes the 2001 Ballon d’Or, it is incredible how quickly Owen has fallen off the radar since he signed for Real Madrid in 2004.
AC Milan have agreed a deal to buy Porto's French left back Aly Cissokho, chief executive Adriano Galliani said on Sunday.
"The agreement has been reached thanks to the friendship of the president of Porto," Galliani told Italian media, adding that the 21-year-old would have a medical on Monday.
Cissokho, who media reports say has cost 15 million euros ($21.1m), will be Milan's first signing since the departure of coach Carlo Ancelotti to Chelsea and playmaker Kaka to Real Madrid.
Manchester United winger Nani hopes to play more once Cristiano Ronaldo departs for Real Madrid in an £80m transfer.
Ronaldo's move to the Bernabeu is expected to be confirmed in the next few days.
"Ronaldo was a very important player for us but now my opportunity has come,'' Nani said to Portuguese sports newspaper OJOGO. "The time has come (for Manchester United) to put their trust in me.''
REPORTS FROM SOCCERNET.COM
Manchester United have accepted an £80m ($131.6m or €93.9m) offer from Real Madrid for Cristiano Ronaldo.
GettyImages
Cristiano Ronaldo's last game for United was the Champions League final defeat to Barca
A statement on the United website confirmed that a deal for the 24-year-old should be completed by the end of the month.
• Editor John Brewin on the inevitability of Ronaldo's £80m move to Real Madrid
''Manchester United have received a world-record, unconditional offer of £80m for Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid.
''At Cristiano's request - who has again expressed his desire to leave - and after discussion with the player's representatives, United have agreed to give Real Madrid permission to talk to the player.
''Matters are expected to be concluded by June 30. The club will not comment until further notice.''
Ronaldo has long been a target for the Spanish giants, whose president Florentino Perez vowed earlier this week to do ''everything possible'' to take the forward to the Bernabeu. The club now hope to agree personal terms with Ronaldo in the next few days.
It is now certain that a second era of galacticos has begun at Madird, with news of Ronaldo's £80m deal coming in the same week that Perez agreed a £59m deal ($97m or €69m) to sign Kaka. Which means in less than a week, Madrid have committed to spending an incredible £139m ($228m or €162.9m) on just two players.
In Perez's previous stint as Madrid president he oversaw the acquisitions of global stars Ronaldo (£23.2m), David Beckham (£24.5m), Luis Figo (£37m), as well as Zinedine Zidane in what was a then world record of £46.7m.
The news is bound to be greeted with some scepticism by United fans who have repeatedly been told no deal had been agreed for the sale of FIFA's World Player of the Year. That came in the face of regular statements from Spain that the former Sporting Lisbon star was bound for the Bernabeu.
It was even suggested Ronaldo would be due upwards of £20m in compensation from Real if the deal did not go through by June 30, the date United now state themselves is when they expect matters to be concluded.
As it now seems a matter of when, rather than if, a world record transfer will be completed, Sir Alex Ferguson might wish to explain why he has gone back on his famous comment in December last year that he would not ''sell that mob a virus''.
It is the first time for many years United would have allowed a player to leave they were not happy about losing.
Yet some supporters may be pleased that at least another drawn-out transfer saga, such as the one 12 months ago, will not be played out in public.
At least the money could be reinvested in a squad that almost proved good enough to win back-to-back Champions League trophies, in addition to a hat-trick of Premier League titles.
In reshaping a squad that looked almost certain to lose Carlos Tevez as well, though the cash from Real Madrid may change that, Ferguson might be able to offer Wayne Rooney a more permanent central striking role and fulfil the promise he has shown on the international stage this season.
The name of Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery is bound to crop up as a potential replacement, although the 27-year-old seems hugely overpriced at the £40m figure being bandied about in some quarters. Wigan's Antonio Valencia has long been touted as a summer signing.
Ferguson will certainly be making plans already to ensure his new faces are on board before United head to Asia for their pre-season tour in five weeks.
Amid the frenzy over Ronaldo's impending departure, it is bound to be asked whether the current debt hanging over United of almost £700m has played any part in the decision to accept Real's huge bid.
While Ferguson has always backed the Glazer family for the backing he has received, supporters will now be interested to see whether their manager is handed all the funds received from Spain, plus an annual transfer kitty said to be around £25m.
With Edwin van der Sar, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville all reaching the end of their careers, it promises to be a far more testing summer than Ferguson might have realised.
And, for all the petulance and pouting for which Ronaldo is so famed, filling the void created by the loss of his immense talent may prove difficult.
Barcelona have struck terms with Inter Milan over a sensational deal for Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
El Mundo Deportivo says Barca, after a week of negotiations, have had an offer of £9 million cash plus Samuel Eto'o accepted by Inter. This comes after Inter's initial demands of £35 million cash plus Eto'o in exchange for Ibra.
The final piece in the jigsaw for Barca is Eto'o, who must agree to become part of the amazing swap.
Eto'o's agent met with Barca sports director Txiki Beguiristain on Monday to discuss the striker's future.
Inter president Massimo Moratti will also have to be convinced about meeting Eto'o demands - which are mooted to be around £11 million-a-year.
AC Milan midfielder Clarence Seedorf has told Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti he won't be joining him in London next season.
"It's nice to hear that Ancelotti wants me back in London, but I'll play next season in Milan," said Seedorf. "I have an ongoing contract and I'm happy.
"I hope I have three or four years more to play and then I will have a great life waiting for me once I retire."
According the sky and tribalfootball.
AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi wants Ronaldinho to fill the void left byKaka.
Kaka's move to Madrid will be confirmed today and Gazzetta dello Sport says Berlusconi will demand the new-look Milan be built around Ronaldinho.
Meanwhile, La Repubblica says Milan will use the cash raised from Kaka's sale to land Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko ahead of Inter and Arsenal.
The Rossoneri are confident signing Dzeko for £18 million.
Il Messaggero says Roma coach Luciano Spalletti has been following the Russian since his days at Spartak Moscow and will bid for the striker this summer.
Spalletti can count on the backing of Roma president Rosella Sensi in his pursuit of Pavlyuchenko.
This is a seen as a good move for Roma who are trying to build a decent squad to challenge next year for the title.
Sensational news are out and it has been reported that English club Arsenal FC are in talks with Werder Bremen over a possible transfer of youngster Mesut Ozil.
Local media has reported that the Gunners have made good progress in negotiations for the 20 year-old midfielder.
It is believed that Arsenal are ahead of Manchester City and Juventus for the signature of Ozil.
Ozil can play out wide or in the middle and has blistering paste and tircks. If reports are true this would be a good signing for Arsenal although their defence is the area that needs the most work.
"There is nowhere else in Europe I want to be," Torres told the News of the World.
Kop skipper Steven Gerrard, Dirk Kuyt, Daniel Agger and boss Rafa Benitez have also all committed their long-term futures to Merseyside.
But with recent reports that the club is in seroius debt Torres and other stars claim this won't affect play on the feild next season. I think it will because look at the situation with Valencia as the players were not paid for several months and it started to affect their play somewhat.
I personally think Liverpool need to clean up this issue or they may be in for a long season and may possibly lose some of their stars after next season...
According to totalfootballmadness.com
Arsenal is ready to enter a bidding war with Italian giants AC Milan for the signature of Barcelona FC midfielder Yaya Toure. If successful, Yaya could find himself playing alongside brother Kolo Toure at th Emirates Stadium next season.
It is believed that Arsenal boss Wenger is preparing a £12million bid for the Barcelona star but accepts he may have to improve on that following the midfielder’s impressive Champions League performances against Chelsea and Manchester United.
As Yaya proved in Barca’s European glory run, he could also play alongside Kolo, 28, in the centre of defence.
Yaya, 25, had a trial at Arsenal in 2005 but failed to seal a permanent move and joined Olympiacos instead.
AC Milan are interested in Fiorentina striker Adrian Mutu as a readymade replacement for Kaka.
With the Brazilian set to join Madrid, Milan chiefs are intensifying their search for a successor and Romania international Mutu is under serious consideration.
La Nazione says Fiorentina are aware of Milan's interest, though are yet to be contacted officially about the former Chelsea man.
Meanwhile, Corriere della Sera says Barcelona striker Eto'o could emerge as Milan president Silvio Berlusconi's answer to calm rising supporter anger over the sale of Kaka.
Asked about the Cameroon international, Berlusconi replied: "There is nothing decided yet. We will try for a striker, because this is not Pato's role."
Over 400 fans staged protests last night, with one sign declaring: "In one month you have lost your wife, the supporters and Kaka. Papi sell the club".
More transfer news are out and it has been reported that Udinese defender Cristian Zapata is claiming that Premier League club Arsenal are looking to sign him. It is widely known that the 22-year-old Colombian was on Arsene Wenger’s radar last summer, and has admitted that he is eyeing a move away from the Serie A club.
The player also added that big clubs such as Juventus, Fiorentina, Milan, Arsenal and Villarreal have requested information about him and a possible transfer.
The Blues have reportedly made a £40million offer for Villa in an attempt to see off competition from Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona, says the Daily Mail.
Skipper John Terry has urged the club to go for Spain's star of Euro 2008 and Frank Lampard yesterday called on the club to sign a creative striker who can work with Didier Drogba or Nicolas Anelka.
Hmmm.....interesting.
With Old Trafford idol Cristiano Ronaldo in Madrid's sights, journalists confronted Robinho at Brazil's training camp in Teresopolis, near Rio de Janeiro, following reports he was on United's radar.
"United?" said the 25-year-old. "I don't know anything about that. At the moment, everything is speculation."
According to reports from Italy AC MILAN are in discussions with CHELSEA over the transfer of winger Florent Malouda to the San Siro. Sky Sport Italia claims negotiations are progressing well but there has been no confirmation from either club.
Frank Rijkaard will replace Bulent Korkmaz as coach at Galatasaray, the Turkish club said on Friday.
Galatasaray did not provide further details but broadcaster CNN Turk said Rijkaard, 46, would arrive in Istanbul on Friday afternoon.
"Galatasaray professional football team has appointed Frank Rijkaard technical director. We wish him success in his new role," said a brief statement from the club.
Former Barcelona coach Rijkaard was set to sign a two-year deal with Galatasaray in a ceremony at 8 pm (1700 GMT), the web site of the Milliyet daily newspaper reported.
It said the deal was reached after Galatasaray chairman Adnan Polat travelled to Spain two days ago and followed the club's failure to reach agreement with Juande Ramos and Bernd Schuster.
Johan Neeskens would join Dutchman Rijkaard at the club in a deal worth around €4m, the report said.
Galatasaray, UEFA Cup champions in 2000 and 17 times domestic champions, had a disappointing season and finished fifth in the league, 10 points adrift of champions Besiktas.
Former Galatasaray captain Korkmaz had been appointed in February in place of Michael Skibbe, who was sacked after a poor run of results. Korkmaz had a contract until the end of the 2009-2010 season.
Rijkaard took charge of Barcelona in 2003 after four years of underachievement and led them to back-to-back league titles and victory in the Champions League in 2006. He left the club in May last year.
During his time at Barcelona he earned plaudits for his commitment to open, attacking football, unflappable temperament and skilful management of high-profile players.
The French giants are looking to strengthen their squad over the summer after missing out on the Ligue 1 title for the first time in eight years.
And Lacombe has set his sights on Barcelona midfielder Alexander Hleb, who has endured a frustrating first season at Camp Nou.
He has been unable to hold down a regular starting role and a number of clubs are understood to be interested.
"Hleb is a good player, we'll see what we can do," Lacombe told OL TV.
Vieira's future has also been the subject of speculation after an injury-plagued campaign with Inter Milan.
The Frenchman, another former Arsenal player, has admitted he may consider a move away from Inter Milan if it would improve his chances of making next summer's World Cup.
"The worry is his injuries," said Lacombe. "But he wants to play in the World Cup, so why not?"
Story Taken from skysports.com
