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Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon claims the club could sign Hamburg star Rafael van der Vaart this weekend.
The Holland international has repeatedly been linked with Madrid throughout the summer after some fine performances at Euro 2008, and the Primera Liga champions have already had a six million euro bid rejected.
Reports in Spain suggest an improved bid of 10million has been accepted and, with the two clubs set to meet in London this weekend at the Emirates Cup, Calderon is confident Van der Vaart is only days away from becoming a Madrid player.
'That's certainly a possibility and we are waiting to come to an agreement with Hamburg,' he told Spanish sports daily AS. 'It's an operation that isn't causing difficulties.
'He's a player that (coach Bernd) Schuster likes a lot and he is within our range, that's true. But what we are not going to do is sign a centre-forward. This I can definitively declare.
'We have four extraordinary strikers. Raul and (Ruud) Van Nistelrooy are still the best in Europe, this will be (Javier) Saviola's year and offers of up to 25million euros are coming in for (Gonzalo) Higuain - a kid of 20 years who is of superb class.
'If a fifth striker comes in we would have to kill of one of those lads. We won't do that.'
Calderon has rubbished the idea of Valencia star David Villa coming to the Bernabeu, telling the Madrid fans to 'forget it'.
He added: 'I insist that there is no place for him even though he was a great player in the European Championship and his goals helped us become champions.
'But the fact is that we don't have space for another goalscorer.'
Source: soccernet.com
Sulley Ali Muntari has confirmed he is close to joining Inter Milan after revealing the offer was too good to turn down.
Inter have agreed a deal with Portsmouth to sign Muntari after being frustrated in their attempts to lure Frank Lampard away from Chelsea.
Muntari is highly-rated in Italy after a successful spell at Udinese before joining Portsmouth for £7million last summer.
The Ghana international established himself as a key member of Pompey manager Harry Redknapp's side helping the club win the FA Cup.
Inter chief Jose Mourinho is thought to be a big fan of Muntari and Inter are believed to have offered the 23-year-old a four-year deal to return to Serie A, with reports suggesting he will undergo a medical on Friday morning.
Inter Milan has shown interest to buy Muntari last year. Italian Press reported that time, Inter were preparing offer for the highly rated midfielder. Injuries to Esteban Cambiasso and Patrick Vieira underlined just how short of ball-winning midfielders the Nerazzurri were and they would remedy that problem in June 2007.
Muntari admitted it was a hard decision to leave Portsmouth, but conceded the chance to play for such a big club as Inter and compete in the UEFA Champions League was too appealing.
"There are teams when they come to you, you need to listen to them," Muntari told skysports.com.
"Harry has developed my game, he has been a father figure to me. "I love him, and also the Portsmouth fans, but when Inter call you need to listen.
"I already missed a chance to play for a super team (Manchester United) this time I need to seize it."
Sulley Ali Muntari was born at August 27, 1984 in Konongo, Ghana. He is a central midfielder, but can also play as left midfielder. He has 42 caps and 12 goals for Ghana, as of June 2008.
Muntari won his first cap for Ghana against Slovenia on 17 May 2002, and became a regular fixture in the team as The Black Stars opened their 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.
He moved to Portsmouth on 30 May 2007 from Udinese.
Source: SkySports.com
Arsenal's summer woes have been compounded by the news that Kolo Habib Toure has been diagnosed with malaria.
It's thought that the defender contracted the disease while on holiday in his native Ivory Coast. After flying out for Arsenal's pre-season tour of Austria and Hungary, the 27-year-old was sent to hospital in Vienna where malaria was diagnosed.
Although an Arsenal spokesperson described Toure as "being in good spirits", it seems unlikely he will be fit for the start of the new season.
That leaves Arsene Wenger with only Johan Djourou or Philippe Senderos as potential partners for William Gallas after he decided against recruiting any new defenders this summer.
Kolo Toure was born at March 19, 1981 in Bouake, Ivory Coast. Touré is renowned for his pace, strength, athleticism. He is the older brother of FC Barcelona midfielder Yaya Touré and Ibrahim Touré of Metalurg Donetsk.
He is deployed by Arsène Wenger at centre-back, as well as anywhere In Defence. He is the longest-serving member in the current Arsenal squad and vice-captain.
Kolo Toure has played for the Ivory Coast since 2000. His debut was in April 2000 against Rwanda. He is a first choice central defender. He played in all 5 games for the Ivory Coast as they finished runners up to the hosts in the African Cup of Nations in Egypt in January 2006.
He was named in the 23-man squad taken by coach Henri Michel to the 2006 World Cup and made his first appearance in a World Cup on June 11, 2006 in Ivory Coast 1–2 loss to Argentina.
Source; sportinglife.com & Wikipedia
Cristiano Ronaldo is continuing to remain coy over his future despite Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson's optimism the forward will remain at Old Trafford.
Ferguson met Real Madrid target Ronaldo for clear-the-air talks on Monday and insisted he was confident the player would still be at Old Trafford next season.
But Ronaldo -who is on holiday in America as he recovers from ankle surgery- has still to make a firm decision on his future.
'I've had hundreds of questions about Manchester United and Real Madrid,' he told ESPN. 'What do you want me to say? That I'm going or I'm staying?
'I don't know about the future, only God knows it. I can't say any more.
'Great players are always hounded by great clubs. It's a normal situation. There are other great players who are in the market who are good and who other clubs want.
'I have always been hounded, not only this year. It's not strange for me, to see what happens.'
Madrid are reportedly ready to offer Ronaldo an astronomical pay packet, while United chief executive David Gill is adamant he will not receive a pay rise should he stay at United.
'He only entered into the previous contract 18 months before and in terms of where he's at in our wage hierarchy he's doing pretty well,' he said.
When asked if the player's behaviour was partly to get a higher salary from United, Gill said: 'Possibly, but not necessarily, and if the figures bandied around that Real Madrid are talking about are true, we wouldn't go anywhere near that. That would be lunacy.'
Instead, Gill called on the player to show 'commitment and loyalty'.
'The player is under contract so the strength and the rights are with Manchester United,' added Gill.
'I think we've been pretty clear all along that Ronaldo has got a contract until 2012, he's a valuable member of the team and that's the situation.
'Obviously there's some issues there, but that's for Alex and is why Alex had the meeting, to discuss things and put our point of view.
'I'm sure Cristiano put his point of view and hopefully we can move forward.
'All we were doing, effectively, is saying we clearly have a player who is one of the best in the world.
'He entered into a new contract, his third with us, only 18 months after his previous one.
'With that, we believe, go some responsibilities and obligations.
'There was an increased salary and we clearly feel there has to be some commitment and loyalty and he can't just say, 'I've entered into it, but I'll leave a year down the line', especially after the season we've just had.
'It's a two-way street and contracts are entered into with a view to getting that kind of commitment.'
But Ronaldo, who signed a new deal at Old Trafford 18 months ago, claims any decision on his future will not be based on money.
'I want to be happy regardless of where I play,' he added. 'I can be happy everywhere, if I am with people I like, if I am animated, motivated.
'Am I motivated to continue at United? I am always motivated.
'I am ambitious and I want to always improve. I don't know the future, but I will be motivated.'
Ronaldo will be out for three months as he recovers from the operation.
And the winger claimed he just wants to concentrate on getting back to full fitness as quickly as possible.
'I'm not anxious about the future, I'm feeling normal,' continued Ronaldo. 'Normal is resting my head, my body, having a good recovery and the future belongs to God, not to me.'
Source: soccernet.com
Photo: GettyImages
Barcelona could be set to table a shock bid for Real Madrid star Robinho, according to the player's agent Wagner Ribeiro.
Speculation has been rife that the forward is on his way to the Premier League, with Manchester United and Chelsea favourites for his signature.
Ribeiro claimed on Tuesday that the Blues were winning the race, with Robinho attracted by the idea of linking up with their new boss, fellow Brazilian Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Reports in Spain suggest that Madrid's bitter rivals Barca could be preparing a bid, with both club president Joan Laporta and coach Pep Guardiola in favour of the idea. And Ribeiro insists the notion is not a surprise to him.
"It's only logical that a club like Barcelona want Robinho," he told Spanish sports daily El Mundo Deportivo.
"He is also wanted by Chelsea and Manchester United.
"Chelsea have presented a big offer for Robinho to Real Madrid, but it seems as if the club don't want to sell him."
Chelsea have reportedly made an offer of 60million euros for the 24-year-old, who has been mooted as a possible makeweight in a deal to bring United's Cristiano Ronaldo to the Spanish capital.
However, it is believed Real are reluctant to let Robinho go until the Ronaldo saga reaches its conclusion, and Ribeiro has reiterated his client's claims that he is be happy in Madrid.
"Robinho has a contract at Real Madrid," he added. "And for that reason he is not looking to leave the club."
Robson de Souza (nicknamed: Robinho) was born at January 25, 1984 in Parque Bitaru, a poor neighborhood of São Vicente in São Vicente, São Paulo.
Source: sportinglife.com
Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo is hoping to return to action as soon as possible after undergoing ankle surgery last week.
The Portugal international is facing three months on the sidelines after having had the operation in Amsterdam.
Ronaldo, who has been strongly linked with Real Madrid this summer, has endured a frustrating summer after Portugal lost 3-2 to Germany in the quarter-finals of Euro 2008.
However, Ronaldo, speaking ahead of attending the 2008 ESPY Awards in Los Angeles, is looking forward to a return to action despite only recently undergoing surgery.
"I'm injured now, but I hope to come back soon," he said on Sky Sports News.
"I love to play and I love football. I miss the ball now."
Ronaldo has admitted he would like to play in the MLS one day, a league he believes is on the up, although he is keen to remain in Europe for the moment.
"I prefer to play in Europe at the minute, but in the future, who knows?" he continued.
"David Beckham and Abel Xavier play there. I've spoken with Abel a few times and he says it's great. It's great to play here.
"The league it's much better than a few years ago, the future is getting better and better."
Source: sportinglife.com
Alexander Hleb has been officially presented as a Barcelona player following his move from Arsenal.
The Belarusian has been linked with Barcelona for much of the summer and he travelled to the city on Wednesday to undergo a medical.
A deal with the Gunners had already been agreed, which was reported to be in the region of 15million euros (£11.9 million).
The transfer has now been finalised and Hleb has put pen-to-paper on a four-year deal at Camp Nou.
He becomes Josep Guardiola's fifth signing as Barca boss following the arrivals of Martin Caceres, Gerard Pique, Daniel Alves and Seydou Keita.
Winning silverware
The 27-year-old, who scored seven goals in 89 appearances for Arsenal, has set his sights on winning silverware with Barcelona.
He earned rave reviews for his stylish displays in London after joining from Stuttgart in 2005,and played a key role again last season as Arsene Wenger's side fell just short in their pursuit of the Premier League title.
Fellow midfielder Mathieu Flamini has already left Arsenal for AC Milan since the transfer window opened and there has also been speculation over the future of Emmanuel Adebayor.
Aliaksandr Paŭlavič Hleb (in English: Alexander Hleb) was born at May 1, 1981 in Minsk, Belarusia. His natural and preferred position is attacking midfielder or 'in the hole' behind the strikers, but he usually played on the right side in midfield at former club Arsenal and occasionally on the left.
Hleb is considered the greatest player to represent Belarus since the nation's establishment
Source: skysports.com
Chelsea will inform Inter Milan for a second time that Frank Lampard is not for sale at any price.
Inter made a £7.95million bid for Lampard on Tuesday but Chelsea will reject their offer and continue to insist that the England midfielder will remain at Stamford Bridge.
The club's new coach Luiz Felipe Scolari is adamant that Lampard wants to stay at Chelsea for years to come despite a claim from the player's agent that his client's contract situation at Stamford Bridge remains "completely unresolved".
Former Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho, now in charge at Inter, seemingly wanted to steal the limelight from Scolari by prompting his bosses to make an official bid for the player just hours after the Brazilian had given his first press conference to the English media.
But Chelsea are adamant that they will not budge on the sale of Lampard even though he has just one year remaining on his current contract.
The London club will inform Inter again that they 'will not enter into any discussions' over the player's transfer and are expected to speed up talks with the player and his representatives over a new, long-term contract within the next 24 hours.
In the meantime, Scolari is convinced that Lampard wants to remain part of his revolution at Stamford Bridge.
"I met Frank Lampard on Monday and I spoke to him," said Scolari. "I like him too much as a player and as a person.
"I asked him if he wanted to stay at Chelsea, not only for this season but for more time. He told me after 15 minutes that he wants to stay and he wants to play for Chelsea for many years.
"I am very happy because I think Chelsea needs Lampard and he likes Chelsea. Now it's a minimum of questions to solve it. I think Lampard is with us for more time than one year."
Meanwhile Scolari has revealed why he turned down the chance to manage the England national team two years ago when in charge of Portugal.
"What happened that time was that both teams went to the World Cup and we were in a situation where maybe we crossed - and we did.
"I said to England it's impossible for me to sign a contract because Portugal and England could play against each other. Then I would be on the side of both teams.
"I said we could sign a pre-contract before the competition and when one national team went out, England could say 'you are the coach'. But they didn't agree about this because they needed to tell the media who the coach was going to be. I said the timing was wrong."
Scolari also cited media intrusion as one of the main stumbling blocks behind his decision to reject England.
"It was one of the reasons," confirmed Scolari. "Because people tried to enter my building, they tried to look into my rubbish. I was afraid about that. Now you ask me 'are you not afraid in Chelsea?' - no. Now I am more prepared.
"Before I was a bit afraid now I am better prepared to face the media. I'm not afraid to go out with my family. My mind has changed."
Frank James Lampard, Jr. was born at 20 June 1978 in Romford, London, England. He is a national team player Before moved to Chelsea, he played with West Ham United, and Swansea City.
He is the son of Frank Lampard, Sr., the former England full back and two-time FA Cup winner with West Ham United. His family is related to another famous footballing family, the Redknapps. Lampard was educated at Brentwood School, a boys' independent school in Brentwood, Essex.
Lampard has won the English Premiership twice (with Chelsea, 2004–05 and 2005–06).
In November 2005 he was named runner-up to Brazilian midfielder Ronaldinho in the European Footballer of the Year awards. A month later he finished in second place, once again behind Ronaldinho, in the 2005 FIFA World Player of the Year awards. He was also named FWA Footballer of the Year in 2005.
Source: Sportinglife.com
Ronaldinho is '80-90%' likely to secure a move to AC Milan, according to the Barcelona playmaker's agent Roberto De Assis.
Milan have long been linked with a move for Ronaldinho after the Brazilian was told he was not part of Barca's plans for the future.
Vice-president Adriano Galliani insisted on Thursday that a deal would only be completed if the price is right, but De Assis is confident his client will make the switch to the San Siro.
'Yes, it's true, it's true that he'll probably go to Milan,' De Assis - who is also Ronaldinho's brother - told Lombardy television stations.
'Everything's ready for the transfer. He is there 80-90% and we are working towards that.
'He is working hard to get back to his best and the important thing is that now he is fine and that he is working for his future.'
Milan might be leading the pack but there is no shortage of other possible destinations for Ronaldinho, with Chelsea and Manchester City just two of the clubs reportedly in the hunt.
However, De Assis rubbished suggestions that the two-time FIFA World Player of the Year could join David Beckham at Los Angeles Galaxy.
'There's a contract with Barca, there's other possibilities,' he added. 'We'll see in the next fortnight. His contract with FC Barcelona runs until 2010, and he became a naturalized Spanish citizen in January 2007.
Ronaldo de Assís Moreira (born March 21, 1980 in Porto Alegre), commonly known as Ronaldinho or Ronaldinho Gaucho. The Brazilian footballer is a two-time winner of the FIFA World Player of the Year, European Footballer of the Year and FIFPro World Player of the Year awards.
Source: soccernet.com
Photo: footbalpictures.net
