Real's Ramos 'flattered' by interest from Man Utd

MADRID, June 13 (Primera Liga) - Spain defender Sergio Ramos is flattered by reported interest from Manchester United and admitted he would 'see what happens' following Euro 2008.

The Real Madrid defender was one of the cornerstones of the club's Primera Liga title defence last season and is a first-choice for national team coach Luis Aragones.

Although he stressed he was not angling for a move while his focus was on events in Austria and Switzerland, he was vague about his future following the summer showpiece.

When asked about United's interest on radio station Canal Sur, he said: 'It is a good sign that big clubs are interested in me, but at the moment I am not considering anything.

'I have a good contract with Madrid and I am concentrating on the national team. When Euro 2008 finishes we will see what happens.'

Ramos' agent Sergio Bravo did little to quell the speculation by claiming he has a good working relationship with the Old Trafford club.

He said: 'It is true that on Monday I was in England.

'I have a good relationship with Manchester United. I sorted the transfer of (goalkeeper) Ricardo to the English club.'

A deal could be delicate to broker, however, as United recently reported Madrid to FIFA over claims the Spanish giants have carried out a deliberate campaign to unsettle Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo.
Read more...

Petrucci signing angers Roma

Manchester United last night came under fire after signing one of Italy's most promising young strikers. Just days after they were pipped by Arsenal to the signature of 17-year-old Cardiff midfielder Aaron Ramsey, United snapped up Davide Petrucci, 16, who scored 14 goals in 19 matches last season and was the top scorer in Roma's youth team. He has also starred for Italy's under-17 team. United will pay Petrucci £95,000 a year and will cover the cost of regular flights home to Italy. The deal is the maximum permissible offer for a youth-team player. Roma will receive around £200,000 in compensation but the move has caused fury. Petrucci, who comes from the San Basilio suburb of Rome, has been compared to a young Francesco Totti and could have made the first-team squad next year.
Malcolm Moore, Daily Telegraph Read more...