Madrid set presentation date for Ronaldo

Reports out of Portugal have indicated that Real Madrid have set a presentation date for Portuguese winger and Manchester United’s sensation Cristiano Ronaldo to the soccer world. It’s been quite an eventful summer and the soap opera transfer saga surrounding the winger is set to come to an end some time this week.

With Ronaldo expected to confront Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United this week on matters regarding his future, the questions on everybody’s lips remains to be; Can Sir Alex convince his superstar to stay at Old Trafford?, Can Ronaldo persuade his manager to allow him to go?. Needless to say Real Madrid who now seems certain of the Portuguese’s signature have set August 15 as the date they will present the wing wizard.

It is believed that Real Madrid have table a €75 million for Ronaldo, however the final bid for the player is expected to be somewhere close to €85 million, most of which will come from the sale of Robinho to Chelsea once the club is assured the signature of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Look out for the most anticipated player presentation in history.

Villa And Silva going nowhere

Valencia stopper, Raul Albiol, admits that both David Villa and David Silva have no intention of leaving Valencia despite reports suggesting that both players will be leaving the club. Clubs such as Chelsea, Arsenal, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Inter Milan have reportedly stated their interest in the players and with the club’s current financial situations; a sale of both top players would alleviate some of their financial burdens.

Albiol stated that “Both Villa and Silva are tranquil and they have every ambition to stay here and succeed for many years to come.”

“We want them to stay and I think they want to remain as well. They are happy here at Valencia and I strongly believe they will be here next term also.

“Everyone is happy here and we have big ambitions for the coming season. We want to win and enjoy a great campaign.” Valencia are hoping to improve on last season’s performance in La Liga and will be hoping they can challenge for some silverware this season.

Anelka urges Chelsea to get Robinho

Chelsea striker and Frenchman Nicolas Anelka has boldly advised the Stamford Bridge based team to complete the signing of Brazilian winger Robinho. The Blues have stated their intent on signing the Brazilian and made an official bid of over £30million which was turned down by los Blancos, who are demanding a price closer to £50million.

Anelka stated that “He can play everywhere, he’s a very good player,” said Anelka. “He can score, he can give some assists. He’s always good for a player like me – a striker – and for Chelsea.” This could be an ideal time for the Blues to make another bid for the Brazilian since Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that hhe will be joining Real Madrid.

Shevchenko returns to Milan

Chelsea striker Ukrainian Andrei Shevchenko looks set to make a return to the San Siro; reports indicate that the former AC Milan player is parting ways with Chelsea and may arrive in Milan in the next few days.

AC Milan have found themselves in a very uncomfortable situation; a situation which may cost them the Scudetto. Milan find themselves in desperate need of a striker; a proven striker. With AC Milan’s suffering injury; Carlo Ancelotti will certainly welcome the man who scored 127 goals in 208 appearances for the club. Anchelotti stated that “If I see Shevchenko in Moscow I will say hello to him. The player will not go to any other Italian club apart from Milan.”

Having looked a shadow of himself since arriving at Stamford Bridge; Shevchenko has always indicated that he wishes to return to Milan at some stage of his career and what a time to do so. Milan officials are expected to talk with Shevchenko at a tournament in Russia which Chelsea and Milan will participate in, which could see the Ukrainian making his return as early as next week.

Guardiola admits interest in Adebayor

New Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola admitted to having an interest in Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor and in an effort to coy his interest stated that he is also interested in other players. Guardiola also stated that he has an interest in Chelsea’s Didier Drogba.

The Barcelona coach said “Barcelona are always interested in good players.” But advised that this doesn’t necessarily mean the club will sign any of the Premiership strikers. He stated that “Those players are interesting but so are many others in England, Italy and Germany,” and alluded to the fact that in most continental teams the manager doesn’t have the final say in transfer proceedings.

Robinho extends contract at the Bernabéu until 2013

Spanish sports claim that Brazilian winger Robinho has signed a five year contract extension with La Liga champions Real Madrid which would see him playing at the Bernabéu until 2013. Despite these reports Chelsea have not given up their pursuit of the midfielder and more interesting is the fact that Real Madrid have not withdrawn their bid for Cristiano Ronaldo’s signature.

Robinho was rumored to be leaving the club for Chelsea due to breakdown in contract negotiations over an improved salary. The player’s new deal is said to be worth €3m per season net – twice as much as he used to earn and more in line with his expectations.

Interestingly should Madrid coax Cristiano Ronaldo into playing at the club then between the Portuguese, Robinho, and Arjen Robben there are more than enough high-profile wing options available to coach Bernd Schuster which could see one or two of them watching from the bench.

Robinho is currently in Irdning, Austria with the Madrid squad as part of their pre-season training camp.

Drogba to Barcelona for €25m

Barcelona will have to pay €25m if they hope to secure Didier Drogba’s signature away from Chelsea after the striker made it clear that he wanted to leave the Premier League club. Barcelona will be looking to step up their pursuit of the Ivorian striker as a replacement for the departing Samuel Eto’o.

Chelsea through newly appointed coach Luiz Felipe Scholari has stated that they want the striker to stay and will only agree to a transfer if a suitable replacement is found. On the other hand Drogba has wanted to leave Stamford Bridge since the departure of Jose Mourinho who is now the coach of Inter Milan, so much so that the player has agreed to sign a three year contract at the Nou Camp.

The 30 year old striker has stated that he wishes to play in either Italy or Spain before his career comes to an end and has take Barcelona’s timely interest as a catalyst for leaving the club and to put the cherry on top; his absence from Chelsea’s tour of the Far East.

Terry encouraging Lampard to stay

Chelsea captain and English international John Terry has stated that he is trying to convince Chelsea and English teammate Frank Lampard to stay at Stamford Bridge. Lampard has been involved in a transfer which would see him linking up with former Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho at Inter Milan.

Terry who has said that he and Lampard are very good friends has stated that “I’m very good friends with Frank and we have spoken about it, but the situation is ongoing with the club and Frank.” The Chelsea captain further stated that “The players and Frank all want him to stay, but it’s down to Frank and the club to sort it out. We are here to focus on the football, but hopefully while he’s here the club can sort it out.”

“I’m happy at Madrid” Robinho

Real Madrid and Brazilian sensation Robinho has put an end to rumors that he is unhappy at the Bernabeu. The 24 year old winger has been linked to a move to Stamford Bridge and as early as yesterday reports circulated that the winger wanted to leave Real Madrid.

The former Santos player however assured his intentions for his future by saying that his future still lies in Madrid if he has a say in the matter. He said “I want to continue at Real Madrid for a long time.”

“I’m happy here and I want to continue.”

Tottenham pursues Arshavin

Facing the possibility of losing Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane, Zenit St Petersburg have confirmed that Tottenham Hotspur have opened talks in hopes of signing their star player Andrei Arshavin.

The 27 year old came to the fore in the recently concluded Euro 2008 tournament has been linked to numerous clubs over Europe. With clubs such as Barcelona, Chelsea and Arsenal rumored to be interested in signing the Russian attacker, Tottenham has become the most recent club to be competing for the player’s signature.

Zenit official Konstantin Sarsaniya has now revealed that Tottenham has been in contact with the club and stated that “This English club is really interested in acquiring Andrei, but our understanding is that €27 million (£21.5 million) is too high a price for them.

“For Spurs it is unacceptable. They are ready to pay approximately €20 million (£15.9 million) for Arshavin.”

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