EPL Gossip Friday June 12th
Spain’s biggest-selling newspaper, Marca, has hailed the signing as “The signing of the century” on their front cover and “A signing from another galaxy” on page two.
Fellow Madrid-based sports daily, AS, claim Ronaldo will wear the number nine shirt at the Bernebau also saying that “Praise is mixed with criticism for the price, a new world record – 94m euros for the number one.”
The El Mundo newspaper focused on Ronaldo’s huge price tag, commenting: “Madrid pay for Ronaldo 57 times his weight in gold.”
“Florentino Perez lives in another galaxy,” slams Spanish newspaperEl Pais.
Barcelona-based sports newspaper El Mundo Deportivo’s front-page headline, meanwhile, pulled no punches, reading:”CR94. Madness!”
Portuguese sports newspaper Record was equally as critical of the transfer fee, commenting: “Real Madrid spend 94m euros for Ronaldo in times of crisis. He will earn more in 24 hours than our president of the Republic in two months.”
The Italian press were equally miffed, with Gazzetta dello Sport saying: “That’s not fair. Mad Real. After Kaka, Real Madrid sign Cristiano Ronaldo.”
French dailyL’Equipe believed the transfer could provide United with the funds to make a bid for Lyon forward Karim Benzema, with their headline reading: “Benzema’s turn?”
America’s Los Angeles Times took a more quirky look at the transfer by jokingly saying: “The hair-gel industry in north-west England suffered a catastrophic blow on Thursday in a world-record sports transaction after which the soccer marvel Cristiano Ronaldo seemed Spain-bound.”
Very nice LA Times.
Atletico Madrid say the club will now listen to “interesting offers” for star forward Sergio Aguero. Argentine Aguero has been linked with both Chelsea and Manchester United. (French radio station RMC)
While not 80 million for one player Atletico could command close to that figure if big clubs come calling for Aguero and Diego Forlan.
Big-spending Real Madrid have set their sights on Arsenal defender Gael Clichy. (The Independent)
Nothing against Clichy who is a fine player but somehow I don’t image this transfer news reaching MSNBC like Ronaldo’s deal yesterday.
Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun has played down reports linking him to a move to Champions League winners Barcelona. (Press Association)
As he should since he’d get to spend a lot of time with Aliaksandr Hleb on Barcelona’s bench.
Sulley Muntari’s agent says Tottenham have had a bid for the Inter Milan midfielder rejected. (Daily Mail)
Sulley Muntari’s agent is looking for Inter to cough up more money by releasing this information.
Ezequiel Lavezzi’s agent insists Serie A club Napoli have received an offer from Liverpool for the Argentine striker. (Press Association)
I get Lavezzi’s talent but like a lot of strikers who aren’t world class yet they drift in and out far too often. Good first half of the season last year not so much in the second half.
Juventus are ready to offer David Trezeguet to Manchester City in exchange for Elano, according to reports in Italy. (Sky Sports)
Elano would be a good fit in Serie A. Trezequet at this stage of his career in the EPL, not so much.
Manchester United are fighting to halt an exodus after Cristiano Ronaldo’s record £80m transfer to Real Madrid with Nemanja Vidic being targeted by Barcelona. (The Times)
An exodus usually means more than one player.
Now for more United news, notes and linking them with every player under the sun.
And Manchester City appear to have beaten United to the signature of Argentine striker Carlos Tevez.
(The Times)
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson insists it was his decision entirely to allow Ronaldo to leave for Madrid.
(Daily Express)
Ferguson only allowed Ronaldo to leave on the proviso that he would get to spend all of the world record £80m transfer fee on new players. (Daily Star)
Or, Ferguson will be given £100m to spend on new players after Ronaldo’s departure. (Daily Mail)
Ronaldo himself has labelled his dream move to Real as “historic”. (The Sun)
The 24-year-old celebrated his transfer by spending the night with heiress Paris Hilton in Los Angeles.
(The Sun)
Ferguson has targeted Lyon striker Karim Benzema, Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery and Wigan midfielder Antonio Valencia as replacements for Ronaldo. (The Guardian)
Valencia is expected to cost United £23m in total. (The Mirror)
Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o could also be a surprise target for Manchester United. (The Guardian)
However, it would appear that Italian club Inter Milan are favourites to land the £25m-rated striker from the Nou Camp. (The Sun)
Valencia winger David Silva is another player who could be wearing the red of United next season. (The Times)
Real Madrid winger Arjen Robben could also be a target for Ferguson. (Daily Star)
Ferguson could also go after Seville star Luis Fabiano. (The Sun)
With doubts over the future of holding midfielder Owen Hargreaves, United may also pursue Barcelona’s Yaya Toure. (Daily Mail)
Madrid are confident that Ronaldo could earn them over £500m in merchandising over the next 10 years.
(The Sun)
Out-of-favour Manchester United winger Nani says he is the man to replace World and European player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo. (The Sun)
Chelsea meanwhile face a fight to hold onto right-back Jose Bosingwa who is wanted by German side Bayern Munich. (The Sun)
Chelsea did pay Porto a lot of money to sign Bosingwa last year and it’s not exactly like he had a bad year. Maybe if they sell Ribery they could spend the 20 million or so it would take to get Chelsea interested otherwise can’t see it happening.
Another player who could be on his way out of Stamford Bridge is midfielder Deco, who is eyeing up a move to Inter Milan. (The Sun)
Still don’t regretting buying my Deco Chelsea jersey last year. The Black Chelsea jersey in my opinion is the nicest 3rd jersey in England. Not that it means much of anything however.
Chelsea will also have to make an increased £20m bid to land Russian star Yuri Zhirkov from CSKA Moscow. (Daily Express)
Can see why Chelsea likes Zhirkov but 20 million used to buy you a sure thing in the transfer market now it only buys you a player with great promise.
Manchester City have offered Portsmouth £18m for right-back Glen Johnson. (Daily Express)
Guess they were watching the England games too this week.
City have also bid £15m bid for Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz. (Daily Mail)
I’d seriously question Blackburn if they don’t accept. It’s only one team out there who seems willingly to pay big money for Santa Cruz out there.
Arsenal central defender Kolo Toure is pondering a £15m move to Manchester City. (Daily Star)
Arsenal shouldn’t even let him ponder this decision and tell him to go for that price tag.
Meanwhile, Arsenal will recall central defender Philippe Senderos after his year long loan deal at AC Milan. (Daily Star)
Well it’s not like A.C Milan wishes to buy Senderos.
Aston Villa will use striker Marlon Harewood as bait to land Middlesbrough defender David Wheater.
(The Sun)
Aston Villa better check their bait.
Chelsea have inquired about Portsmouth goalkeeper Asmir Begovic. (The Times)
Rarely week where two Canadian players are linked in the British papers. Not every player can say they have their own Adidas commercial.
June 12th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
The 24-year-old celebrated his transfer by spending the night with heiress Paris Hilton in Los Angeles.
(The Sun)
lol – no taste. The Sun should have come up with someone better…
July 22nd, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Keep up the good work!