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Showing posts from July, 2008

Real Madrid close to Van der Vaart deal

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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.

Muntari Keen on Inter Deal

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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

Kolo Toure Suffering from Malaria

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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

Ronaldo remains coy over future

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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

Agent: Barca Want ROBINHO

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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

Ronaldo Eyes Swift Return

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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. &qu

Hleb completes Barca move

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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 Math

Blues To Stand Firm Over Lampard

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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

'Ronaldinho 80-90% to Join Milan'

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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 j