Real’s £100m bid to sign Cristiano Ronaldo
May 16, 2008
Real have become increasingly vocal about their desire to land Ronaldo in recent weeks, even going to the extent of insisting that in every interview Madrid players give, they must eulogise the 23-year-old.
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| £100m man: Real are willing to spend big for Ronaldo |
They are now reportedly gearing up to present United with an unprecedented £100 million offer for the player they have set as transfer target number one. Moreover, they would happily sign off £200,000-a-week in wages to Ronaldo, it has emerged.
Madrid president Ramon Calderon might have described the prospect of bringing Ronaldo to the Bernabeu as “almost impossible” on Tuesday, but Ronaldo’s comments last night have triggered a torrent of speculation.
“I am happy here but let’s see what happens after the Champions League final. I am feeling calm here. I’m happy here but in the future I don’t know,” he said.
Ronaldo’s recent comments that he has dreamt of playing in Spain have convinced the club that they have a realistic window of opportunity to sign Ronaldo. Miguel Angel Arroyo, Real’s general director, has now stressed that nothing will be spared to that end.
“If it is not possible for the club to sign, it would not be because of money but for other reasons,” he said.
“Real Madrid have the solvency and the financial liquidity to be able to take on a signing of the magnitude of Cristiano Ronaldo. It would be economically beneficial due to the merchandising that would arise from it.”
The financial returns on a Ronaldo signing is beyond doubt, and Madrid are desperate to have a piece of the pie. Sporting director Predrag Mijatovic recently revealed his plans for the Portugal star to be “the face of the new Real Madrid,” a second-generation David Beckham.
The question that will concern fans is whether United would accept an offer of £100m. Chief executive David Gill has repeatedly stressed that Ronaldo is not for sale at any price, and many would snort at the idea of Ferguson allowing the club to sell a player that has not yet reached his potential.
However, United have a debt that is growing by almost £300,000 every day; the club paid £42m in the past financial year in interest on the debts alone. Conspiracy theorists suggest that the Glazers harbour ambitious plan to clear their debt by 2012, which would involve selling off many star players - although Rio Ferdinand’s recent agreement to a new contract ought to go some way to dispelling that.
Fans will hope that Sir Alex Ferguson acts as a Hadrian’s wall to the Spanish transfer campaign. Madrid’s Gabriel Heinze, a good friend of Ronaldo’s since their time together at Old Trafford, has confirmed that the bond between manager and winger would be Real’s biggest challenge.
“I would sign him, but I think it’s impossible,” he said.
“He’s going through a glorious spell at Manchester and Ferguson was the one who found him and who got him to the top level. While Ferguson’s there, there’s little chance of signing him.”
Ryan Giggs caps another championship season
May 12, 2008
Wigan Athletic (0) 0 Manchester United (1) 2
How gloriously appropriate that Manchester United’s match-winners yesterday, the men who swept them to a deserved Premier League title, were Cristiano Ronaldo, the Footballer of the Year, and Ryan Giggs, the embodiment of all that is good about this special club.
No fear tempers the movement of Ronaldo or Giggs, such thrilling creatures of sustained invention, such magnificent ambassadors for Sir Alex Ferguson’s attacking game-plan. These heirs to the sporting tradition of George Best certainly delivered for United yesterday, Ronaldo with a ruthless penalty and Giggs with a nerveless finish.
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| Holding their nerve: Manchester United won their 10th Premier League title with victory over Wigan |
Any newcomers to footballing circles seeking guidance about United’s personality need pointing only in the direction of their goalscorers on a triumphant day in the thunder, rain and lightning. United mix the cocksure swagger of Ronaldo and the loyalty of Giggs.
Anyone questioning whether United were worthy winners of the trophy also needed pointing towards Ronaldo and Giggs. These are the individuals who quicken the pulse, who fill grounds with admirers and hearts with hope. These are the talents who make inflated ticket prices worthwhile, who turn all those long motorway journeys into reverie on wheels.
If Ronaldo acted the spoilt child at times yesterday, slamming his palms against the pitch like a Portuguese Violet Elizabeth if the referee did not agree with him, then Giggs was all grace. Coming off the bench to help United protect a lead secured by Ronaldo, Giggs celebrated equalling Sir Bobby Charlton’s record of 758 appearances for United with a fine finish, sliding the ball calmly past the outstanding Chris Kirkland.
As the final whistle went, as Wayne Rooney sank to his knees and Ronaldo looked to the heavens, Rio Ferdinand led the fans’ singing. “That boy Giggsy - he won it 10 times,” chanted Ferdinand with the visiting hordes, jubilating in the winger’s astonishing number of titles.
Afterwards, Ferguson made a fascinating remark about Giggs, saying he was worried about the deluge’s effect on the pitch and that the “soft ground” might not suit Giggs, as if he were some thoroughbred racehorse.
As Ferguson and all of a red hue revelled in the moment, thoughts needed sparing for two vanquished, but admirable blue-bedecked adversaries, Wigan Athletic and first Chelsea. After Liverpool and then Arsenal fell away, Avram Grant’s side stopped a title race becoming a procession. Chelsea deserve widespread praise for giving the season’s last gleaming such an epic glow.
As well as knowing they themselves gave everything, Chelsea’s players can also take comfort from the knowledge that Wigan ran themselves into their sodden new pitch. Wigan had only pride to play for but did themselves, the town and the Premier League proud.
Of course, suggestions of collusion were always going to be wide of the mark. Anyone who genuinely believed that Steve Bruce might be tempted to tell his players to go easy on his former club clearly does not know what makes the Wigan manager tick. He did not acquire a nose sculpted like Scafell Pike without being committed, without giving everything at every occasion. Every Wigan player and fan breathed defiance against their famous visitors before, sportingly, staying on to salute the champions.
Kirkland excelled in goal. In midfield, Wilson Palacios embellished his reputation. Bruce also enhanced his standing as a man of integrity and a manager of substance.
Rocked back by the hunger of Bruce’s players, United were desperately lucky to turn around a goal clear and with a full complement. When thunder and lightning reverberated around the JJB Stadium, it could have emanated from Ferguson such was his animated mood. Marcus Bent found the side-netting, Emmerson Boyce shot over, Michael Brown shot wide.
The locals loved it, willing Wigan on as United laboured. It took a defensive mistake, Boyce’s awkward challenge on Rooney, to allow the champions through. Steve Bennett pointed immediately to the spot, and Ronaldo took control. He had missed against Barcelona. He had every Wigan fan screaming blue murder at him.
But he is not the double Player of the Year for nothing, and he calmly slotted the ball to Kirkland’s left and set off on a long celebratory run. As a roar emerged from the visitors’ end, pandemonium reigned in the main stand where pockets of United fans revealed themselves.
Wigan’s mood hardly improved when Scholes flew in on Palacios. Already booked for a foul on the Wigan midfielder, Scholes resembled a hot-headed teenager, rather than an experienced thirtysomething, as he dumped Palacios on the pitch. Amazingly, Bennett contented himself with a lengthy lecture of Scholes.
Fergie to buy a forward
May 11, 2008
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed he intends to buy a forward this summer.
Many feel United’s squad is almost flawless - although they do appear to be a striker short with Louis Saha’s future looking uncertain.
Ferguson can already boast the likes of Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney - but then there is little else in terms of an out-and-out striker with Cristiano Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs the next best options.
Now Ferguson is scouring the world and assessing his options before making a move.
Michael Owen is the latest name to be linked, whilst Dimitar Berbatov, Klaas- Jan Huntelaar and Luis Fabiano are also said to be under consideration.
“We will buy,” Ferguson confirmed.
“Along with Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney, we may need experience in one forward position, somebody to take over from Ryan Giggs eventually.”
Chelsea, Man Utd set to launch bids for £30M Valencia star Villa
March 21, 2008
Valencia striker David Villa says he’s open to all offers ahead of the summer market.
Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool have all had Villa watched in recent months and been linked with bids for the Spain striker over the last year.
With Valencia now facing a season without European football next term, Villa is considering his future and admits: “I have always been aware when offers have arrived for me and I will always make a decision on what’s best for my career.
“Though, of course, everything will be done with the consent of the club.
“I have to think about my future and what I am going to do. I will be listening to all offers.”
