The man with Cristiano Ronaldo in pictures printed by The Sun on Wednesday compiled a detailed dossier on the Manchester United star which he handed to Real Madrid. These are the photos that Madrid yesterday claimed could not possibly exist. They show Ronaldo secretly meeting Real’s fitness coach Valter Di Salvo in Rome in January. Di Salvo worked with Ronaldo for three seasons at Old Trafford, where they formed a strong bond. Sources close to Ronaldo insisted at the time it was a chance meeting as the Portugal winger took a two-day break in the Italian capital. Yet the full picture only now begins to emerge because we can reveal Di Salvo, who controversially left United last summer to join Madrid, gave the Spanish giants a full report on Ronaldo. Madrid technical director Miguel Angel Portugal, sporting director Pedja Mijatovic and board member Carlos Bucero asked Di Salvo to compile his detailed assessment on every aspect of Ronaldo.
Antony Kastrinakis, The Sun
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Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Real Madrid to test United with £60m bid for Cristiano Ronaldo
Manchester United took the extraordinary step yesterday of reporting Real Madrid to Fifa, world football’s governing body, over their public pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo. Relations between two of the world’s biggest clubs seem certain to deteriorate further in the coming weeks. Real are preparing a world-record offer for the 23-year-old Portugal forward once his participation in the European Championship finals is over.
Sources in Madrid indicated last night that Real will offer United a fee in the region of £60 million for Ronaldo after Portugal are eliminated from the tournament, or, if they reach the final, after June 29.
Oliver Kay, The Times Read more...
Sources in Madrid indicated last night that Real will offer United a fee in the region of £60 million for Ronaldo after Portugal are eliminated from the tournament, or, if they reach the final, after June 29.
Oliver Kay, The Times Read more...
Ramsey snubs United
Cardiff City starlet Aaron Ramsey has decided to join Arsenal, snubbing offers from United and Everton.
The highly-rated 17-year-old midfielder met with all three clubs for talks after bids - believed to be around £5million - were accepted last week.
The Premier League and Champions League holders appeared to be in pole position to sign the talented young Welsh international, but Cardiff have since confirmed the teenager's future lies elsewhere.
"Cardiff City were informed on Friday morning that Aaron Ramsey’s preferred destination this summer is at the Emirates Stadium with Arsenal,” Cardiff's website confirmed.
"We will now continue the dialogue with the Gunners with a view to Aaron’s move being completed.
"The move, unlike other options, however, does not include a loan-back period at Ninian Park for the 2008/09 season."
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The highly-rated 17-year-old midfielder met with all three clubs for talks after bids - believed to be around £5million - were accepted last week.
The Premier League and Champions League holders appeared to be in pole position to sign the talented young Welsh international, but Cardiff have since confirmed the teenager's future lies elsewhere.
"Cardiff City were informed on Friday morning that Aaron Ramsey’s preferred destination this summer is at the Emirates Stadium with Arsenal,” Cardiff's website confirmed.
"We will now continue the dialogue with the Gunners with a view to Aaron’s move being completed.
"The move, unlike other options, however, does not include a loan-back period at Ninian Park for the 2008/09 season."
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Monday, June 9, 2008
Manchester United report Real over Ronaldo
Manchester United have taken the unusual step of reporting Real Madrid to FIFA for what they see as the continued courting of Cristiano Ronaldo.
The double winners want closure on the issue, 13 days after warning the Spanish club to stay silent on the subject of the 23-year-old Portugal winger or else.
United believe Real have failed to comply, resulting in a complaint to world football's governing body.
A FIFA spokesman said: 'I can confirm that we have received an official request from Manchester United to look into the matter.
'We have only just received the documents so we need some time to analyse them before we can make any decision.'
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has already voiced his disliking of Real's public pursuit of Ronaldo, pointing out their major domestic rivals, Barcelona, refrain from public expressions of admiration for other clubs' players.
He is adamant Ronaldo neither wants to, nor will be leaving Old Trafford this summer.
A statement on their website, www.manutd.com, read: 'On 27 May, Manchester United made clear its intention to report Real Madrid to FIFA if it continued to involve itself in the future of Cristiano Ronaldo.
'Unfortunately, Real Madrid has not kept its own counsel and the club feels it has no alternative but to make a formal complaint to the world governing body, which it has done today.
'The precise content and nature will remain confidential.'
On that date, coach Bernd Schuster said Ronaldo was his club's number one summer transfer target.
The Portugal winger scored 42 goals last season and was named Player of the Year by both the Professional Footballers' Association and the Football Writers' Association
Schuster is an admirer of arguably the world's finest player and said: 'There are other players we have been looking at but everything has slowed down a little due to all this Cristiano Ronaldo business, seeing as he is the big priority for the club.
'The English way has been a perfect education for a player with such exceptional individual talent.
'There he has learned to enjoy his football as a complete professional. This means we would get a Cristiano who would arrive here with his lessons learned.'
Ronaldo has continued to send out mixed messages about his future after helping United win the Champions League and retain their Barclays Premier League title.
He recently told Brazilian website Terra: 'I would like to play for Real Madrid - but only if it is true they are ready to pay what Manchester United ask of them. However, it does not depend on me.'
The Portugal international then vowed not to discuss the subject further until after Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland, where he is representing his country.
United's action is bound to dismay Real as only last week, president Ramon Calderon insisted his club would never risk their relationship with them by trying to unsettle Ronaldo.
'We can't do anything if the club that owns him don't want to sell,' he told Marca.
'We would never (approach a player under contract) as this is not the policy of Real Madrid, and especially not with a club who we are such good friends with.'
However Calderon's comments would appear to have cut little ice with United, who are now looking for a positive response from FIFA.
A Real spokesperson said: 'We know nothing of this matter at this time and we have no comment to make on the topic.'
FIFA's regulations do not stipulate any possible sanction against Real Madrid but they do say one club have to inform another if they are to start negotiations with their player.
The rules do not specifically state however that the club that owns the player have to give consent.
Article 18 of FIFA's regulations for the status and transfer of players states: 'A club intending to conclude a contract with a professional must inform the player's current club in writing before entering into negotiations with him.
'A professional shall only be free to conclude a contract with another club if his contract with his present club has expired or is due to expire within six months. Any breach of this provision shall be subject to appropriate sanctions.'
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The double winners want closure on the issue, 13 days after warning the Spanish club to stay silent on the subject of the 23-year-old Portugal winger or else.
United believe Real have failed to comply, resulting in a complaint to world football's governing body.
A FIFA spokesman said: 'I can confirm that we have received an official request from Manchester United to look into the matter.
'We have only just received the documents so we need some time to analyse them before we can make any decision.'
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has already voiced his disliking of Real's public pursuit of Ronaldo, pointing out their major domestic rivals, Barcelona, refrain from public expressions of admiration for other clubs' players.
He is adamant Ronaldo neither wants to, nor will be leaving Old Trafford this summer.
A statement on their website, www.manutd.com, read: 'On 27 May, Manchester United made clear its intention to report Real Madrid to FIFA if it continued to involve itself in the future of Cristiano Ronaldo.
'Unfortunately, Real Madrid has not kept its own counsel and the club feels it has no alternative but to make a formal complaint to the world governing body, which it has done today.
'The precise content and nature will remain confidential.'
On that date, coach Bernd Schuster said Ronaldo was his club's number one summer transfer target.
The Portugal winger scored 42 goals last season and was named Player of the Year by both the Professional Footballers' Association and the Football Writers' Association
Schuster is an admirer of arguably the world's finest player and said: 'There are other players we have been looking at but everything has slowed down a little due to all this Cristiano Ronaldo business, seeing as he is the big priority for the club.
'The English way has been a perfect education for a player with such exceptional individual talent.
'There he has learned to enjoy his football as a complete professional. This means we would get a Cristiano who would arrive here with his lessons learned.'
Ronaldo has continued to send out mixed messages about his future after helping United win the Champions League and retain their Barclays Premier League title.
He recently told Brazilian website Terra: 'I would like to play for Real Madrid - but only if it is true they are ready to pay what Manchester United ask of them. However, it does not depend on me.'
The Portugal international then vowed not to discuss the subject further until after Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland, where he is representing his country.
United's action is bound to dismay Real as only last week, president Ramon Calderon insisted his club would never risk their relationship with them by trying to unsettle Ronaldo.
'We can't do anything if the club that owns him don't want to sell,' he told Marca.
'We would never (approach a player under contract) as this is not the policy of Real Madrid, and especially not with a club who we are such good friends with.'
However Calderon's comments would appear to have cut little ice with United, who are now looking for a positive response from FIFA.
A Real spokesperson said: 'We know nothing of this matter at this time and we have no comment to make on the topic.'
FIFA's regulations do not stipulate any possible sanction against Real Madrid but they do say one club have to inform another if they are to start negotiations with their player.
The rules do not specifically state however that the club that owns the player have to give consent.
Article 18 of FIFA's regulations for the status and transfer of players states: 'A club intending to conclude a contract with a professional must inform the player's current club in writing before entering into negotiations with him.
'A professional shall only be free to conclude a contract with another club if his contract with his present club has expired or is due to expire within six months. Any breach of this provision shall be subject to appropriate sanctions.'
Read more...
Louis plans to remain a Red
Despite speculation linking Louis Saha with an Old Trafford exit, his advisors claim the Frenchman remains focussed on United’s 2008/09 campaign.
The most recent press reports claim the 29-year-old could be used as a bargaining tool in an effort to bring Dimitar Berbatov, Karim Benzema or Roque Santa Cruz to United.
It’s news to Saha’s advisors, however, who told the Manchester Evening News their man will be reporting for pre-season training at Carrington, alongside his fellow United stars.
"There is nothing on the agenda until the club says otherwise,” one of Saha’s advisors said. “At the end of the season, the club told Louis to report back for pre-season training and he is now on holiday."
Saha is not involved in France’s Euro 2008 campaign.
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The most recent press reports claim the 29-year-old could be used as a bargaining tool in an effort to bring Dimitar Berbatov, Karim Benzema or Roque Santa Cruz to United.
It’s news to Saha’s advisors, however, who told the Manchester Evening News their man will be reporting for pre-season training at Carrington, alongside his fellow United stars.
"There is nothing on the agenda until the club says otherwise,” one of Saha’s advisors said. “At the end of the season, the club told Louis to report back for pre-season training and he is now on holiday."
Saha is not involved in France’s Euro 2008 campaign.
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