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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.

Cristiano Ronaldo
£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.”

Written by Brian · Filed Under Spain | 1 Comment 

Wenger will make strengthening his defence a priority this summer

May 16, 2008

The Barcelona player Yaya Toure, brother of Arsenal’s Kolo, has admitted that he would love the opportunity to play alongside his brother at the Emirates. “I am aware of the interest from the Premier League,” he said. “It would be great to play in a big team with my brother.”

Arsenal defender Gael Clichy has revealed he is on the brink of signing a new four-year deal with the club.

Arsene Wenger has said that he hopes to make a new signing within a few weeks. “I know what I want and I am very confident,” he said. “I hope to turn that around in the next two or three weeks. But the fans should be re-assured by what they see.” One of the first signings could be Lyon’s 21-year-old Hatem Ben Arfa, who has just been voted Young Player of the Year in France. Wenger could also look to another Frenchman, Lilian Thuram, to boost his defence.

He said of rumours linking him to the Emirates: “It is true that we have spoken about Arsenal, but we will see how it is going to happen. Today I am at Lyon. We will see what tomorrow is made of. I try to give my maximum and to give everything when I am on the pitch.”

Wenger will make strengthening his defence a priority this summer, and has apparently been offered Barcelona skipper Carlos Puyol. The Spanish club would want Cesc Fabregas in return, but Fabregas has recently reassured fans that he will stay at the club.

Alexander Hleb’s departure from the club has apparently and quickly progressed from a mere rumour to something inevitable as the midfielder is reported to be on the verge of joining Inter, with the player’s agent stating that Wenger can’t stop him. The midfielder joined Arsenal in July 2005 from Stuttgart for £11.2 million. “Alexander is preparing to make one of the most important moves of his life. He is leaving Arsenal even though they want to offer him a new long-term contract and better conditions,” Nikolai Shpilevski is quoted as saying in the Belarus press.

Written by Brian · Filed Under England | Leave a Comment 

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