Real already in talks with Ronaldo, says Valdano
Reports in Spain suggest that new Madrid president Florentino Perez has been in talks with the Barclays Premier League club and are on the verge of breaking their own world record transfer, (in euro terms), set just a few days ago for Kaka, to bring Ronaldo to the Bernabeu.
Valdano’s comments will only serve to add fuel to the speculation that the Spanish giants have upped their efforts to sign the winger.
“I can’t answer any questions about him,” said Valdano. “I can only talk about players who are on their way here, not those we are in negotiations over.”
Ronaldo has been spending the close season in Sardinia and Los Angeles. Speculation has been rife in the Spanish capital about new arrivals at the Bernabeu ever since the return of Perez, who presided over the famous ‘Galacticos’ era at the club.
And while they are reportedly ready to pay €89 million for Ronaldo, Valdano has revealed they will not break the bank for Valencia striker David Villa.
“He is an excellent striker but he has a prohibitive price,” he said. “He is a player who interests us, but only at a reasonable price.
“There’s a long way to the start of the season and the summer is very long – these comings and goings will be very interesting.”
Meanwhile Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has ruled out selling midfielder Javier Mascherano to Real’s bitter rivals, Barcelona.
Mascherano’s agent was quoted as saying the Argentina international would welcome a move to the Nou Camp. But Benitez has dismissed the idea, insisting Mascherano is happy at Anfield.
“Mascherano has no price,” the Spaniard said. “Barcelona could not afford to match his value to Liverpool.
“We do not want to sell and Javier is very happy here. I have spoken to Javier two or three times this summer – the last time was only last week – and he was very happy, very positive.”
“He gave me the private number of his agent, Walter Tamer, and again the conversation was very positive and was all about football.”
Inter Milan have denied they have reached an agreement with Barcelona over the transfer of striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic to the Catalan giants.
Speculation has been rife that Ibrahimovic is set to move to the Nou Camp this summer and increased still further following a dinner between Inter president Massimo Moratti and Barca supremo Joan Laporta last week.
Reports today suggested the two clubs have struck a deal over the 27-year-old, something the Nerazzurri have strenuously denied.
According to El Mundo Deportivo, Inter had accepted an offer of €10 million plus Samuel Eto’o, €30m less than they reportedly wanted for the Sweden striker.
Elsewhere the Singapore-based Profitable Group have made formal contact with the people charged with the task of selling Newcastle.
It is understood they have registered their interest with Seymour Pierce a day after sources close to the group claimed it was planning a bid.
Several parties have contacted the investment bank, whose chairman Keith Harris has once again been handed the job of finding a buyer at owner Mike Ashley’s asking price of £100 million.
Profitable have privately insisted they are serious candidates as a list of contenders gradually emerges. The company, which has former Liverpool midfielder Steve McMahon as its group commercial director, is the first to raise its head above the parapet, although it may not be the last.
A South African consortium and an Oman-based group reportedly retain an interest in Newcastle, while speculation involving former chairman Freddy Shepherd refuses to go away.
Meanwhile, defender Sebastien Bassong wants to leave the north-east club. Bassong has been an ever-present for the Magpies since joining them from Metz last summer.
But the 22-year-old is looking for a Barclays Premier League club following Newcastle’s relegation.
“I want to leave,” he told L’Equipe. “I want to develop.”
Tottenham and Arsenal are reportedly interested in the former France Under-21 international.
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