United set to open Valencia talks

Manchester United have tabled offers for Wigan Athletic's Ecuador winger Antonio Valencia, the club's chairman Dave Whelan has said.
"They (United) have been in touch with us and we will be starting negotiations very shortly, I would imagine," Whelan said when asked about Valencia.

"United have been in touch with us over Antonio for the last two or three months, expressing an interest and actually putting cash offers on the table.
"Those things have got to be picked up now. I think they were waiting to see if Ronaldo actually went to Real, which has happened."

United said on Thursday they had accepted an £80 million bid for Ronaldo from Real Madrid.

The 23-year-old Valencia, who has featured 34 times for his country, plays in a similar position to the Portugal winger.

British media said on Saturday that Valencia would command a fee of about £17 million.

"Things will develop over the next seven to 14 days," added Whelan. "The master, which is (United manager) Sir Alex (Ferguson), he makes his moves when he is ready.

Whelan said he was not desperate to sell Valencia. "If I can keep that lad, I'm going to keep him. He is one brilliant player.

"So there is no pressure on me, or our football club to sell him. If Man United don't want to make a (written) offer, I'll be delighted and we will have him in our team next season."

However, Whelan added he would not stand in Valencia's way if he wanted to move to Old Trafford.

"If Antonio Valencia says to me, 'Chairman, I want to go to Manchester United' and we get the right fee, the deal will be done."



Manchester United have tabled offers for Wigan Athletic's Ecuador winger Antonio Valencia, the club's chairman Dave Whelan has said.
"They (United) have been in touch with us and we will be starting negotiations very shortly, I would imagine," Whelan said when asked about Valencia.

"United have been in touch with us over Antonio for the last two or three months, expressing an interest and actually putting cash offers on the table.

Ronaldo's £106m pay bonanza

Cristiano Ronaldo is set to earn £106 million from his six-year deal at Real Madrid, with a mind-boggling final salary of £556,000-a-week.
The Portuguese star is on the verge of a move to the Bernabeu after Manchester United accepted a world record £80m bid for him on Thursday.

He will discuss a contract with the Spanish giants when he returns from holiday in Los Angeles, and will land the biggest contract in football history.
Real are expected to offer a structured deal starting at £183,000-a-week, but with a 25 per cent rise every season seeing his pay soar above half a million pounds every week in the final year of his contract.

Based on current exchange rates, Ronaldo's will be the fifth-largest contract in sports history behind four baseball deals.

The biggest belongs to Alex Rodriguez, who signed a 10-year, $275m (£167m) deal with the New York Yankees in 2008, equating to an average annual salary of £16.7m; slightly less than Ronaldo.

Rodriguez's previous $252m (£153m) contract with the Texas Rangers comes in at number two, while A-Rod's Yankees team-mates Derek Jeter ($189/10 years) and Mark Teixeira ($180m/eight years) both exceed Ronaldo, whose likely £106m contract is worth $174m.

Football's highest earner is David Beckham, who rakes in £27m per year, but only £4m comes from his club LA Galaxy; the rest is sponsorship and merchandising.

Ronaldo was fourth on a recently-published France Football list of the sport's highest earners behind Beckham, Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho, but he can expect his £15.5m total earnings from 2008 to increase significantly following his move to Madrid.

Ronaldo's possible £556,000-a-week wage in the last year of his contract works out at:

£79,428 a day

£3,309 an hour

£55 a minute

92p per second

Or, if Real Madrid play two games in a week:

£51.48 per second on the pitch.

What can Ronaldo buy with his total £106m Real Madrid contract?

- A Big Mac for every man, woman and child in the United Kingdom.

- 530 new Ferrari 599 GTBs, like the one he wrote off in a crash earlier this year.

- Himself, with enough change for Carlos Tevez.

- Newcastle United Football Club.

- 588,000 hours in a tanning salon.

- 34,754,098 tubes of Brylcreem wet look hair gel.

- 42,400 ceiling mirrors.

- The most expensive house in Los Angeles, which belongs to TV producer Aaron Spelling, a three-story mansion with 56,500 square feet of space and a 4.6 acre estate.

- 163,077 bottles of Cristal champagne for himself and Paris Hilton at Hollywood nightspot My House.

- 26,500,000 inflatable donkeys.

- 10,610,610 pairs of Cristiano Ronaldo pyjamas.

- 706,666,667 telephone votes for Cristiano Ronaldo as Overseas Sports Personality of 2009.

Cristiano Ronaldo is set to earn £106 million from his six-year deal at Real Madrid, with a mind-boggling final salary of £556,000-a-week.
The Portuguese star is on the verge of a move to the Bernabeu after Manchester United accepted a world record £80m bid for him on Thursday.

He will discuss a contract with the Spanish giants when he returns from holiday in Los Angeles, and will land the biggest contract in football history.

Ronaldo reaction: Platini outrage

All the reaction to the news that Manchester United have accepted a world record £80 million bid for Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid.
UEFA president Michel Platini: These excessive transfers are happening almost every day. These transfers are a serious challenge to the idea of fair play and the concept of financial balance in our competitions. UEFA is working hard with clubs to set up a new set of rules as soon as is possible to clean up the system and give it a more solid, more transparent base. That is our top priority today.
Frank Stapleton: It's a fair deal and I'm sure that money will be used very, very quickly. I think you have to go back historically, top players have left Manchester United and it has not diminished the team in any way. I think maybe the Champions League final opened Alex Ferguson's eyes to what he needs to do to stay on top in the Premier League and in Europe. Some fans will be upset, but others will say it's always been the way of the club not to stand in a player's way if he is unsettled and wants to move. It's an old saying: 'You don't keep an unhappy player.'

Tommy Doherty: I sit at home giggling when managers say a player is not available at any price. Every player has price and if a club is willing to pay that price he'll go. Sir Alex can't have disharmony brought on the players and club. For £80m, they should cut their hands off and let Real deal with the problem. You don't see Kaka every year wanting a transfer - he wanted to stay in Milan. I think Ronaldo has fallen out with Sir Alex a couple of times, because every year he's coming, he's going, he's staying, he's happy, he's not happy. Manchester United are the biggest club in the world and when you leave them you go downhill.

Arthur Albiston: Cristiano might end up staying but I very much doubt it. Once the club have given him permission to speak to Real Madrid, I think that will be it and he will be on his way. It has not come as a great shock. There were a lot of rumours last season about him leaving. You do not want to hold on to a player who is not going to show total commitment to the club.

Paddy Crerand: From a financial point of view its good business. It's something that's been bubbling over and most Manchester United supporters will have watched him playing this season and thought there was something wrong with him. But he's been a great player for United, no question. There's been a lot of talk about Valencia coming in from Wigan. I think there has been too much talk about that for it not to be true.

Lou Macari: I thought there were problems when I saw the game against Wigan when he took a shot and as soon as he missed, it was almost as if he was looking at the dugout for a reaction from Sir Alex. Then at the press conference in Rome before the Barcelona game I thought he was quite evasive about lots of things, signs that if he got his wish he'd be off to Real Madrid. I think they'll go for Tevez now, and that will keep a lot of fans happy. Ronaldo has been a fantastic player for United but he's never really clicked with the fans. You can only take so much of him. No more please.

Mickey Thomas: £80m is a lot of money for a player and I don't think they can turn that down. I'm sure Ferguson saw it coming and has a replacement lined up. They have moved on before; Cantona went, Beckham, Keane, and the club went from strength to strength. It was becoming a very unhealthy situation. I think the way Ronaldo was talking, he wanted to go and the fans were sick of him. I was sick of him. It's a big loss, but I really believe Fergie has someone in mind.

Peter Barnes: He threw one or two tantrums towards coaching staff over the last 12 months. He was brought off a few times and didn't look too happy. I'm not too surprised, I thought he would end up going to Real Madrid. I'm looking from an ex-player and fan's point of view and think that footballers should act in the best interests of the club and the supporters. He is played wonderfully well and should abide by club rules. I don't think any one player is bigger than any club. The club comes first.

Sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe: "If a player wants to go you've got to let him go but it's great business for the club; they bought him for £12m and they've sold him now for £80m. We saw Madrid spend £59m on Kaka from AC Milan just recently and that's why we've written to the Premier League and to the Football Association - and we are concerned about the sustainability of the game."

Clayton Blackmore: "We need extra players with flair. Tevez is a fantastic player, hopefully he'll stay, and the manager will buy one or two more. There's a lot of great players. Valencia is very quick has scored some fantastic goals for Wigan, I wouldn't be surprised to see him at Old Trafford at the start of next season."




All the reaction to the news that Manchester United have accepted a world record £80 million bid for Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid.
UEFA president Michel Platini: These excessive transfers are happening almost every day. These transfers are a serious challenge to the idea of fair play and the concept of financial balance in our competitions. UEFA is working hard with clubs to set up a new set of rules as soon as is possible to clean up the system and give it a more solid, more transparent base. That is our top priority today.

Here's to the future

So it looks like Ronaldo is getting his dream move to Madrid and Sir Alex will have a transfer kitty available to reshape his team. Personally, I think that’s no bad thing.

I was never one of those disgruntled Reds who booed him when he returned to action last season, but, if I’m honest, I could never muster the same enthusiasm for the “Viva Ronaldo” chants as I’d done previously. Nor could many others. The sentiment being that anyone who isn’t totally committed to the Red cause can leave.
Plenty of United fans will be disappointed today, as no supporter likes to see their best player leave. But plenty of others – especially those in the hardcore that follow the team home and away – will not be quite so sad at his impending departure.

For many, Ronaldo’s courting of Real last summer took the shine off what should have been a summer of celebration. We’d won a third European Cup and a 17th title, yet all we heard about was the Portuguese trying to manufacture a move away from Old Trafford. It felt disrespectful and showed a real lack of commitment to United, and for some supporters these things are forgiven but certainly not forgotten.

He eventually stayed on for the 2008/09 season but could not repeat his form of the previous campaign – it would have been an incredible feat if he had – which reassures me that Manchester United are a quality side and not only about one man. Ronaldo wasn’t poor last term, but he had far less impact than in the two previous campaigns and yet the Reds still scooped three trophies. It’s not a bad base from which to rebuild.

Of course we’ll miss his free kicks and goal contribution, but in Sir Alex Ferguson we have the best manager to cover for this. We all feared when Roy Keane left that we’d never be able to find a man of his stature to replace him. In the end we didn’t need to, instead Sir Alex spread the load and contribution of Keano across several players – including bringing in our now midfield lynchpin Michael Carrick. The same is called for again.

As well as being confident that Sir Alex will strengthen and cover for the loss of the world player of the year – although, surely that’s now Messi, or soon will be – I’m also delighted that we’ll be spared another summer of Ronaldo speculation.

Fergie says the United bus is always moving on and waits for no one. So thanks for all your efforts, Ronny, but now to the future. Ding ding. Tickets, please.



So it looks like Ronaldo is getting his dream move to Madrid and Sir Alex will have a transfer kitty available to reshape his team. Personally, I think that’s no bad thing.

I was never one of those disgruntled Reds who booed him when he returned to action last season, but, if I’m honest, I could never muster the same enthusiasm for the “Viva Ronaldo” chants as I’d done previously. Nor could many others. The sentiment being that anyone who isn’t totally committed to the Red cause can leave.

Ronaldo: The story so far

A look at the highs and lows of Cristiano Ronaldo's career, after Manchester United accepted an £80m bid for him from Real Madrid.
2001 - Scored twice on his Sporting Lisbon debut against Moreirense.

2003 - Caught the eye of Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson during a friendly and subsequently moved to Old Trafford for £12.24 million on August 12.
Scored his first United goal with a free kick in a 3-0 win over Portsmouth in November.

2004 - Scored opening goal in United's 3-0 FA Cup final win over Millwall and voted the club's 2003/04 Player of the Year in his debut season.

2006 - Became embroiled in an incident involving his United team-mate Wayne Rooney during England's World Cup quarter-final against Portugal. Cameras caught him winking at his bench after Rooney was sent off.

2007 - Helped United to their first Premier League title in four years, scoring his 50th goal against rivals Manchester City.

- Joined Andy Gray (1977) as the only footballers to win the PFA Players' Player of the Year and PFA Young Player of the Year awards in the same season.

2008 - Scored his first hat trick for the club against Newcastle United at Old Trafford on January 12.

- Scored both goals against Bolton Wanderers on March 19 as he captained United for the first time.

- Scored the Champions League final's opening goal against Chelsea, only to miss in the penalty shootout after the match finished 1-1. United went on to win 6-5.

- Finished the 2007/08 season with a career-high 42 goals and voted European Footballer of the Year and World Footballer of the Year among other awards.

- Heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid with United reporting the Spanish club to FIFA over their public courting of the player.

2009 - Hints of unrest in his relationship with Ferguson when he walks straight down the tunnel after being substituted against rivals Manchester City.

- Problems arise again when Ferguson argues with Ronaldo during a match against Wigan after the Portugal winger misses a scoring chance.

- Helped United to the Premier League title.

- United's Champions League final against Barcelona was dubbed 'Ronaldo v Lionel Messi'. The Argentine outshone Ronaldo as Barcelona ran out comfortable 2-0 winners.

HONOURS

Premier League 2007, 2008, 2009

FA Cup 2004

League Cup 2006, 2009

Champions League 2008

FIFA World Club Cup 2008


A look at the highs and lows of Cristiano Ronaldo's career, after Manchester United accepted an £80m bid for him from Real Madrid.
2001 - Scored twice on his Sporting Lisbon debut against Moreirense.

2003 - Caught the eye of Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson during a friendly and subsequently moved to Old Trafford for £12.24 million on August 12.

Who will replace Ronaldo?

With Cristiano Ronaldo on the verge of ending one of the longest running transfer sagas ever by joining Real Madrid, we ask the question: who could possibly replace him at Manchester United?
Such is Ronaldo's ability to play different roles across the attacking third of the pitch, the search for a 'replacement' will be complicated.

Few players, if any, offer such diversity, meaning Alex Ferguson may have to bring in more than one recruit if he is to truly cover all the bases left vacant by the Portuguese's departure.

And who he brings in will very much depend on what Ferguson already has in his squad, and most importantly how he sees Wayne Rooney figuring in his future plans.

The debate over Rooney's best position - out-and-out striker, wide on the left or roaming all over - has raged all season but, depending on how Ferguson spends the £80m from Ronaldo's sale, that argument could be put to bed once and for all.

Here, we take a look at those players of interest to United ahead of the start of the new season.

Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich) - The £40m-rated France international presents possibly the best option for United, certainly in terms of experience at the highest level. He appeared in the 2006 World Cup final and has won the Bundesliga with Bayern, as well as scooping individual player of the year awards in both France and Germany. Like Ronaldo, Ribery has skill and pace to burn while providing a real goal threat from an attacking midfield position. He would slot neatly into the right-wing berth in Ferguson's side, but is also able of switching wings and playing more centrally, behind a front man.

Antonio Valencia (Wigan Athletic) - At £20m, the Ecuadorian presents a cheaper option than Ribery but nevertheless offers a degree of versatility. Capable of operating on either wing, Valencia is blessed with natural pace and is happiest running with the ball at his feet and taking players on. Question marks remain over his ability to step up to the highest stage but, at 23, time is on his side.

Karim Benzema (Lyon) - Big, fast and strong with an eye for goal, Benzema is one of the hottest properties in football. Twenty goals for Lyon two years ago were followed by another 17 last season, proving the striker's ability to find the back of the net, even if Ligue 1 is hardly the Premier League. But Benzema has proved he can cut it in the Champions League too, netting five in eight games this past season. Indeed, the only possible downside of signing Benzema would be that Rooney would most likely be shoved out wide to accommodate the Frenchman through the middle.

Arjen Robben/Wesley Sneijder (Real Madrid) - With the details of any possible deal with Real Madrid yet to be concluded, a swap deal involving either Dutchman, or both, could yet be brokered. Robben, who has prior experience of the Premier League with Chelsea but a worrying injury record, would provide United with real width, while he also knows where the goal is. And the more versatile Sneijder, who has been linked with a move to Bayern Munich already this summer, is one of few players in the world who come close to matching Ronaldo in terms of free-kick taking.

Nani/Zoran Tosic, (Manchester United) - With relatively few suitable candidates with the credentials to replace Ronaldo presenting themselves on the market, perhaps Ferguson may find a solution a little closer to home. Both could provide viable options. Nani, like Ronaldo, can play on either wing, although, unlike his compatriot, he has so far failed to make the grade at Old Trafford. Tosic, 22, is also yet to star in a United shirt, but Ronaldo's imminent departure presents both with a real chance to stand up and be counted, should they be given a chance.




With Cristiano Ronaldo on the verge of ending one of the longest running transfer sagas ever by joining Real Madrid, we ask the question: who could possibly replace him at Manchester United?

Premier League - Ronaldo United's latest big exit

Cristiano Ronaldo is the latest in a long line of stars to leave Old Trafford in Sir Alex Ferguson's reign. We look at some more big exits.
Paul Ince, Mark Hughes and Andrei Kanchelskis

Ferguson caused uproar when he axed the above trio after United finished runners-up in the 1994/95 Premier League season. Their exit paved the way for Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes and David Beckham to establish themselves and, despite claims that "you win nothing with kids", United won a domestic double the following season.
Eric Cantona

Having gone to the ends of the earth to keep the enigmatic Frenchman at Old Trafford after his kung-fu controversy, there was nothing Ferguson could do to change Cantona's mind when he decided to quit the game in 1997 aged 30. Although United lost their league title to Arsenal, they bounced back to win a remarkable treble in 1998/99 with Dwight Yorke partnering Andy Cole up front.

Peter Schmeichel

Possibly United's greatest goalkeeper, the Dane left for Sporting Lisbon in summer 1999 and later returned to the Premier League with Aston Villa and Manchester City. Attempts to replace him with, among others, Mark Bosnich, Massimo Taibi and Roy Carroll failed, but Edwin van der Sar eventually stepped into the breach in 2005 as a worthy successor to Schmeichel.

David Beckham (pictured)

Ronaldo's predecessor on the right wing for United left in similar circumstances. A breakdown in his relationship with Ferguson - accelerated by a stray football boot to the face - saw him sold to Real Madrid for £25m as the last of Florentino Perez's original 'Galacticos'. Ronaldo replaced him with aplomb and United have now won three consecutive Premier League titles.

Roy Keane

The fiery Irishman's departure was most important in its symbolism, since age and injury has reduced Keane to a shadow of his former self on the pitch. A series of rants against his own team-mates proved too much for Ferguson, who packed his captain off to Celtic. United signed Owen Hargreaves as replacement, but Keane's heir now seems to be one of the players he criticised, Darren Fletcher.

Ruud van Nistelrooy

The Dutchman's stunning record of 150 goals in 219 appearances made the decision to sell him to Real in 2006 particularly gutsy. Van Nistelrooy was another player to cross Ferguson, who used his exit to introduce a more mobile front line using versatile players like Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez. Van Nistelrooy scored 63 in 93 for Real before suffering the third major knee injury of his career.


Cristiano Ronaldo is the latest in a long line of stars to leave Old Trafford in Sir Alex Ferguson's reign. We look at some more big exits.
Paul Ince, Mark Hughes and Andrei Kanchelskis

Ferguson caused uproar when he axed the above trio after United finished runners-up in the 1994/95 Premier League season. Their exit paved the way for Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes and David Beckham to establish themselves and, despite claims that "you win nothing with kids", United won a domestic double the following season.

Fans react to Ronaldo bid

Fans flocked to our message board, Talking Reds, to express their views on Real Madrid's world-record £80m bid for Cristiano Ronaldo...

"He'll be missed, but there are a few players that can replace him; Villa, Messi (I know that's a long shot), and Ribery to name a few."
Posted by: The_Rooster

"£80m is a massive amount of cash. Ronaldo will be a loss, you can't easily replace 30-40 goals a season. He's also scored big goals in big games, which makes a difference in winning trophies. Fergie will no doubt rebuild, I just hope we get the quality we need."
Posted by: manfranrob
"I'm glad it's going through. Admittedly there are few players with the talent of Ronaldo. For me it was only a matter of time, and £80m makes business sense. I'm sure Sir Alex knows who he wants next. Ronaldo has won everything there is to win with us, so let him go and win the second best league in the world if that's what he really wants! All we can do as fans is thank him for his service and look to next season; hopefully we'll get the chance to play, and beat, Real Madrid."
Posted by: Pijo

"Good luck to Ronny, he's been a wicked servant. His dream has always been to play for Real, no fan can knock him for that. I hope he remembers we're the club that made him. Time for a replacement, definitely Ribery. Amazing player."
Posted by: Oun Abbas Hussain

"I'm almost too upset to write. Real Madrid have proved that money talks. We have to bite the bullet and appreciate the players who are loyal to the shirt, like Rooney, who can now become world no.1. Viva Rooney!"
Posted by: greatsoutherndevil



Fans flocked to our message board, Talking Reds, to express their views on Real Madrid's world-record £80m bid for Cristiano Ronaldo...

"He'll be missed, but there are a few players that can replace him; Villa, Messi (I know that's a long shot), and Ribery to name a few."
Posted by: The_Rooster

"£80m is a massive amount of cash. Ronaldo will be a loss, you can't easily replace 30-40 goals a season. He's also scored big goals in big games, which makes a difference in winning trophies. Fergie will no doubt rebuild, I just hope we get the quality we need."
Posted by: manfranrob

Transfers - Your view: Real ruining football?

Just under £60m for Kaka and now possibly a further £80m for Cristiano Ronaldo: Real Madrid have pulled no punches in the transfer market this summer.
But are the enormous sums they are willing to spend good for the game?

The assembly of another squad of 'Galaticos' would certainly be easy on the eye for those lucky enough to watch them, and few would disagree such a team is an tremendously exciting proposition.

But what effects would that kind of expenditure have on the game itself?
Would it serve only to widen the gap between the haves and the have-nots?

How are other teams expected to keep up with the likes of Real? Especially in the current economic climate, where many lower league clubs are struggling to even survive, let alone compete in the transfer market.

Would smashing the world transfer record be yet another step towards killing off the game? Or does it merely represent the next inevitable step in the progression of the game?



Just under £60m for Kaka and now possibly a further £80m for Cristiano Ronaldo: Real Madrid have pulled no punches in the transfer market this summer.

Transfers - Cristiano Ronaldo: The full saga

A blow-by-blow account of the Cristiano Ronaldo transfer war between Manchester United and Real Madrid, which appears set to be resolved with United accepting a world record bid for the Portuguese.
27 January 2007 - Sir Alex Ferguson: "We sell players we want to sell and there is absolutely no way Cristiano Ronaldo is leaving."

29 January 2007 - Ronaldo: "I know about Real Madrid's interest but I cannot speak about it. I have discussed the matter with Alex Ferguson and Carlos Queiroz and they have prohibited me from talking about Real Madrid."

6 February 2007 - Barcelona vice-president Ferran Soriano says the club have the funds to buy Ronaldo: "Barça can sign anybody they want in economic terms; the only limit is common sense."

9 February 2007 - Ferguson: "When [Real and Barcelona have] got a big game they can fill their grounds but they don't fill it every week. Old Trafford is full every week."

15 February 2007 - Sporting Lisbon's former youth-team coach reveals that Real Madrid turned down the chance to sign Ronaldo in 2003

16 February 2007 - Ferguson says he is confident that United will hold on to Ronaldo: "I am very confident. Very, very confident."

19 February 2007 - Internazionale president Massimo Moratti declares his interest, with the Serie A champions tipped to table a £35m bid.

8 March 2007 - Ronaldo: "Everyone knows that I love Spain. I would like to play in Spain one day. However I am happy here at Manchester. If I don't leave now, if I leave in two, three, four, five years, I would be happy. I am at a great club."

21 March 2007 - Ronaldo: "I consider myself a United footballer who is playing well and trying to help the team. If things keep going well, I want to stay here. I'm not a Galactico. I'm only thinking about United and I want to stay here for more than two more years."

13 April 2007 - Ronaldo pens a new five-year contract, saying: "I am delighted. I spoke with Sir Alex and [chief executive] David Gill about my future and everyone knew that I wanted to stay. I am very happy at the club and I want to win trophies and hopefully we will do that this season."

22 April 2007 - Ronaldo wins both PFA Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year awards.

11 January 2008 - David Gill: "There's no chance of us selling him. Absolutely no way, whatever the money."

22 January 2008 - Ronaldo's mother says she could "die happy" if her son moves to Real.

23 January 2008 - Real sporting director Predrag Mijatovic: "I see it as an impossible signing. Of course it would not be bad for us to have a player like Cristiano Ronaldo, but he is at a great club like Manchester United."

2 April 2008 - Real coach Bernd Schuster: "In these types of things it is best to be realistic. Cristiano Ronaldo right now is a ten out of ten, the best in the world. But I don't see Manchester United as being in the business of selling."

2 May 2008 - Ronaldo is voted Footballer of the Year - only the second player to win the award in successive seasons since its introduction 60 years ago.

11 May 2008 - Real say they are willing to pay 120 million euros (£100m) for Ronaldo.

16 May 2008 - Ronaldo: "I have said a thousand times that I have one dream - to play in Spain. Sometimes your dreams don't come true but I dream, I still dream, and I am happy at Manchester United, but the future? Nobody knows."

20 May 2008 - Gill: "He's got four more years until 2012, he's been with us for five years and we're sure he'll be with us for many years to come. He's clearly one of the best players in the world and he's at a great club, winning trophies."

23 May 2008 - Ferguson condemns Real's lack of moral fibre, comparing them to former fascist dictator General Franco: "Do you not think we've had much interest from the big clubs in Europe about our best players? Of course we have, but they don't get into the nonsense Real get into. They've no moral issues at all. They think that they can ride roughshod over everyone, but they won't with us."

27 May 2008 - United threaten to report Real to FIFA over their attempt to buy Ronaldo, condemning their behaviour as "totally unacceptable" just hours after Real coach Bernd Schuster describes Ronaldo as: "The big priority for the club."

5 June 2008 - Ronaldo: "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."

6 June 2008 - Ronaldo's mother claims her son will stay at Old Trafford next season. "He is fine where he is," said Dolores Aveiro. "The future only God knows, but what is sure is that he is going to continue in England."

7 June 2008 - United captain Rio Ferdinand urges Ronaldo to stay, saying: "I want Ronny to stay and help us win more. We want to achieve things because we can. You can't stand still."

9 June 2008 - United make an official complaint about Real to FIFA.

11 June 2008 - Madrid president Ramon Calderon insists that he will not be put off Ronaldo by any asking price.

16 June 2008 - FIFA ask the Spanish Football Federation to keep their eye on Real Madrid.

19 June 2008 - Real Madrid say they are waiting for Ronaldo to make the first move that would allow them to start negotiations with United.

19 June 2008 - The 23-year-old tells reporters after Portugal's 3-2 Euro 2008 quarter-final defeat by Germany that there was a strong possibility he would leave Old Trafford.

20 June 2008 - United reiterate that he is "not for sale" in a statement.

21 June 2008 - Ronaldo describes a move to Real as "a dream" and "a step forward", and says he does not mind if he upsets Ferguson: "It is my decision. It is what I want. I don't know what I have to say to him. I have to say what I want and what I think."

22 June 2008 - Real boss Bernd Schuster claims he woud pay 100 million euros (around £80 million) to seal Ronaldo's move.

5 July 2008 - Real president Ramon Calderon admits that Ronaldo is "likely to stay" at United as any move would require "Manchester to want it".

7 July 2008 - Ronaldo undergoes surgery on his ankle in Amsterdam. Calderon, meanwhile, claims that: "If I was Manchester United I'd be happy and proud to be able to negotiate such a transfer for one of my players. Everything would be a lot easier if United realised that they could pull off the transfer of the century."

9 July 2008 - FIFA President Sepp Blatter says United should let Ronaldo leave, claiming their refusal to sell him equates to "modern slavery".

10 July 2008 - Ronaldo says he "agrees completely" with Blatter's remarks comparing him to a slave, adding that he has no idea where he will be playing next season.

13 July 2008 - Portugal's national team doctors confirm that Ronaldo will not play for 12 weeks as he recovers from ankle surgery.

18 July 2008 - Sir Alex Ferguson claims Ronaldo will definitely stay at United following talks with the winger in Lisbon.

20 July 2008 - Ronaldo says his future is still undecided despite talks with Ferguson, saying: "I don't know about the future."

22 July 2008 - David Gill reminds anyone who has spent the last two years in a coma that Ronaldo is not for sale.

5 August 2008 - Real sign of Dutch international midfielder Rafael van der Vaart from Hamburg. Calderon implies Real have given up on Ronaldo by saying: "He [Van der Vaart] is the first and almost certainly the last signing we will make this season." Hours later, Ferguson says: "The matter is closed now. He is a Manchester United player, it's finished."

7 August 2008 - Ronaldo confirms that he will stay at United, saying: "Before rumours emerge saying that I will play against my will, I want to make this clear - whoever says or writes that is lying. I will play for Manchester with all my heart and soul. I will fight and honour that shirt with the same commitment and dedication as always." But Ronaldo refuses to rule out a future move to the Bernabeu.

8 October 2008 - Real Madrid forward, Ruud van Nistelrooy says he is confident Ronaldo will be joining next summer. The former Manchester United man says, "one day Ronaldo will join us. This could happen next summer, or the one after,"

2 December 2008 - Ronaldo wins the Ballon d'Or.

10 December 2008 - Real Madrid manager, Bernd Schuster, states his belief that Ronaldo will be joining them next summer, "I think that next year it is going to be a little more complicated for his club to retain him. There is hope that next year he could be with us, you need to do everything possible because this player is worth it,"

11 December 2008 - Ramon Calderon says that the Ronaldo transfer saga has all instigated by Ronaldo. "The player said he wanted to come here, a dream to come to Real Madrid and we received and we were happy to know that. After that I talked to Manchester but David Gill was very clear and said they didn't want to sell at all. We want to have a good relation with all the big clubs in Europe and Manchester is one of the best and I like to have a good relationship with them forever, and they said for the moment no."

18 December 2008 - Real Madrid director Pedro Trapote reveals that Real Madrid has already signed Ronaldo. But they cannot officially announce it due to contractual reasons. Despite this, he states: "If you are asking me what we are going to do now then I would tell you that we have already signed the best player for the summer. The best of the best. It is Cristiano, there is no other. It is best to not say anything because there are some clauses that prevent us from announcing it now. For us it would be a good time, but we should not do that."

19 December 2008 - Ferguson responds by saying: "Do you think I'd sell a player to that mob? Absolutely no chance. I wouldn't sell them a virus."

1 January 2009 - Ronaldo says the situation has all been a lie and accuses people of lying about his situation: "What people are saying now is not true. Who says that is a liar because I am happy at the club, I want to stay here. I feel at home here. I feel very happy here."

8 January 2009 - Ronaldo crashes his £200,000 Ferrari 599 GTP Fiorano in a tunnel near Manchester airport.

14 January 2009 - Alex Ferguson states that Ronaldo: "Owes a lot to Manchester United for nurturing and encouraging him in the proper way at the right times."

16 January 2009 - Ramon Calderon quits as Real Madrid president following allegations of vote rigging. Florentino Perez (he of the Galactico era) becomes the favourite to take over and rumours begin to circulate that the signing of Ronaldo will be on Perez's list.

17 February 2009 - Acting Real Madrid president, Vicente Bolouda reiterates his club's confidence that Ronaldo will come to the Spanish capital. "I am convinced we will see him at the Bernabeu."

21 March 2009 - Fernao Sousa, Ronaldo's godfather, encourages him to leave Manchester United, thinking Real will make him an offer he can't refuse: "The mistake last year was to speak about Madrid so much. This year hardly anyone is saying anything and it is certain the transfer will go much better."

6 April 2009 - Ronaldo told to stop being a wuss by double Olympic champion, Usain Bolt. Interestingly, the Jamaican believes that he needs to behave more like Wayne Rooney.

18 April 2009 - Ronaldo is happy and wants to win more trophies with the Red Devils. "I am very happy here. I want to win more trophies here. At the moment I think I am at the right club. And I want to win trophies next season as well."

5 May 2009 - Manchester United have a reported bid of £60 million bid for Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery rejected. Is this a hint that they are lining up a replacement for Ronaldo.

10 May 2009 - Ronaldo reacts angrily to being substituted by Alex Ferguson against Manchester City

12 May 2009 - Spanish newspaper, El Pais, reports Ronaldo and Manchester United have signed agreements on the deal.

27 May 2009 - United lose the Champions League final 2-0 to Barcelona prompting Ronaldo to describe Ferguson's tactics as "not good".

2 June 2009 - Newly elected Real president Florentino Perez describes Ronaldo as a "model" signing as reports emerge the Spanish club will pay him £20m if they FAIL to sign him in the summer.

11 June 2009 - United confirm they have accepted an £80m bid for Ronaldo from Real Madrid, saying the player asked to leave Old Trafford.



A blow-by-blow account of the Cristiano Ronaldo transfer war between Manchester United and Real Madrid, which appears set to be resolved with United accepting a world record bid for the Portuguese.

Ronaldo finally gets to try life in the Real world

MANCHESTER, England (AFP) - Cristiano Ronaldo sowed the seeds of his proposed world record transfer to Real Madrid more than 18 months ago, but it took a lengthy campaign by the Portugal winger and his Spanish suitors to finally persuade Manchester United to sell their prize asset.

United agreed to let Ronaldo join Real for 80 million pounds on Thursday after admitting defeat in the fight to keep the star at Old Trafford.
The first shots were fired way back in 2006 when United rebuffed an offer from Real. But, although Real lost that battle, they had no intention of losing the whole war.

Like a teenager chasing their first love, they continued to whisper sweet nothings in Ronaldo's ear and inevitably his head was eventually turned by Real's promises of a better life together.

By 2008, Ronaldo was making little effort to hide his desire to move to the Bernabeu. Even winning the Premier League and Champions League couldn't cement the English club in Ronaldo's heart.

He was determined to join Real and spent much of the close-season last year desperately trying to enginner the move.

However, Ronaldo hadn't counted on Sir Alex Ferguson's bloody-minded refusal to bow to his demands. Ferguson has never been one to turn his back on a fight and he reported Real to FIFA for an illegal approach before flying to Lisbon to talk his player into staying at Old Trafford.

Recultantly, Ronaldo conceded that Ferguson wouldn't buckle and agreed to stay. But crucially he made it clear to the Scot that he would almost certainly want to leave sooner rather than later.

That was all too obvious this season as Ronaldo, such an unstoppable force a year earlier, spent much of the campaign performing at no more than 50 percent of his ability.

A player of such talent will always be able to conjure moments of magic even when below his best and 18 league goals helped United retain the Premier League, while also reaching the Champions League final.

But Ronaldo's commitment to United seemed to be fading by the week.

Scowling as he trudged off the pitch, Ronaldo had made it clear what he thought of Ferguson's decision to haul him off during United's victory over Manchester City by offering a glare at the Scot before angrily throwing a bit of kit to the floor.

Perhaps the final straw for Ferguson was Ronaldo's criticism of his tactics after the Champions League final defeat to Barcelona. If so the Portguese had finally got his way.

It is a fittingly spectacular way to end Ronaldo's dazzling six years at Old Trafford.

Born on the island of Madeira, Ronaldo began his career with FC Andorinha but Ferguson first set eyes on the teenager when United were invited to play Sporting Lisbon in a friendly to inaugurate their new stadium in August 2003.

Sporting won 3-0 and the United players were so impressed by the Portuguese teenager they implored Ferguson to sign him. Within a week, he had done so, for 12.24 million pounds.

"On the plane back home from the game they urged me to sign him - that's how highly they rated him," Ferguson said. He was one of the most exciting young players I had ever seen."

After a first season in English football, marred by over-elaboration and a penchant for diving, Ronaldo came of age in the 2004 FA Cup final, when United beat Millwall 3-0 in Cardiff.

Just as Ronaldo seemed settled in England, a storm whipped up around his role in Wayne Rooney's red card in a 2006 World Cup tie against Portugal.

It was Rooney who eased the way for Ronaldo to stay by insisting he held no grudge and Ronaldo responded with 23 goals to help United win the Premier League.

A year he was winning more awards as 42 goals fired United to the Premier League and Champions League double.

In December he picked up the Ballon d'Or and in January added the 2008 FIFA World Player of the Year accolade to his personal haul, but his thirst for a new challenge proved insatiable.



MANCHESTER, England (AFP) - Cristiano Ronaldo sowed the seeds of his proposed world record transfer to Real Madrid more than 18 months ago, but it took a lengthy campaign by the Portugal winger and his Spanish suitors to finally persuade Manchester United to sell their prize asset.

United agreed to let Ronaldo join Real for 80 million pounds on Thursday after admitting defeat in the fight to keep the star at Old Trafford.

Record Ronaldo bid accepted

Manchester United have received a world-record, unconditional offer of £80million for Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid.

At the request of Cristiano - who has again expressed his desire to leave - and after discussion with the player's representatives, United have agreed to give Real Madrid permission to talk to the player.

Matters are expected to be concluded by 30 June. The club will not comment until further notice.



Manchester United have received a world-record, unconditional offer of £80million for Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid.

United accept world record Ronaldo bid

Manchester United have accepted a world record £80 million bid from Real Madrid for Cristiano Ronaldo.
After warding off the Spanish club's interest in the Portuguese World Player of the Year this time last year, United said in a statement on Thursday that talks could begin over a possible transfer to the nine-times European champions.

"Manchester United have received a world-record, unconditional offer of 80 million pounds for Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid," the club said.
"Manchester United have received a world-record, unconditional offer of 80 million pounds for Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid," the club said.

"At Cristiano's request - who has again expressed his desire to leave - and after discussion with the player's representatives, United have agreed to give Real Madrid permission to talk to the player.

"Matters are expected to be concluded by June 30."

Real Madrid confirmed they had made an offer for Ronaldo.

"The club expects to reach an agreement with the player in coming days," Real said in a statement.

Should Real complete the signing of the 24-year-old it would seal a remarkable double after the Spanish giants snapped up Brazilian playmaker Kaka from Milan this week for a fee reported to be around £58m.

Kaka was the first player to be signed since Florentino Perez returned to the presidency this month and Real Madrid appear intent on continuing their summer spending spree with the purchase of Ronaldo.

United have always rejected the advances of Real for their most prized asset, even threatening to report them to FIFA last year over their pursuit of the player.

However, they now seemed resigned to losing Ronaldo, who has always said it would be his dream to play for Real, albeit for a staggering sum of money.

Ronaldo joined United from Sporting Lisbon in 2003 as an 18-year-old in the wake of David Beckham's move to Real Madrid and quickly established himself as arguably the most high-profile player in the Premier League.

His goals have helped United win three consecutive Premier League titles as well as the Champions League last year when he scored in the final against Chelsea.

In the 2007-08 season he scored 42 goals which topped the previous club record for a midfielder held by George Best. Last season he managed 26 goals, taking his tally for United to 118 in 292 appearances.

In January he beat Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Liverpool striker Fernando Torres to win FIFA's World Player of the Year award, the first player from an English club to win it.

United must now concentrate on replacing Ronaldo. Moves for one or more of Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery, Wigan's Antonio Valencia and Lyon forward Karim Benzema would go some way to filling the void.

Real's cash could allow Ferguson to keep Carlos Tevez, who had appeared close to leaving after United refused to meet the £32m price tag set by his economic rights holders, although the two parties remain apart on the Argentine's wage demands.



Manchester United have accepted a world record £80 million bid from Real Madrid for Cristiano Ronaldo.
After warding off the Spanish club's interest in the Portuguese World Player of the Year this time last year, United said in a statement on Thursday that talks could begin over a possible transfer to the nine-times European champions.

"Manchester United have received a world-record, unconditional offer of 80 million pounds for Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid," the club said.

World Cup qual - England hit Andorra for six

England cruised to an expected and easy 6-0 win over Andorra at Wembley to give Fabio Capello a 100 per cent record in World Cup qualifying.
Two goals apiece from Wayne Rooney and half-time replacement Jermain Defoe and goals from Frank Lampard and Peter Crouch helped the home side to their seventh win in seven Group 6 games.

Rooney's double strike made him the top scorer in European qualification for the 2010 finals in South Africa, with eight goals.

England top their group with a maximum 21 points, 10 ahead of both Croatia and Ukraine.

Industrial action on the London Underground meant that the national stadium was around a quarter under capacity despite almost selling out, but the 57,000 or so present would have been impressed with England's possession and in particular a virtuoso performance from David Beckham, playing in central midfield in the place of the suspended Gareth Barry.

Sitting in the deeper, quarterback-style position he occupied at Milan this season, the 34-year-old midfielder dictated the play in open and set play and will surely be courted by top European clubs once his LA Galaxy contract expires in October.

Portsmouth full-back Glen Johnson - selected despite being one yellow card away from a suspension - also looked composed in attack and defence and was awarded man-of-the-match.

The alleged Chelsea and Liverpool target was involved in five of England's goals, with three direct assists as he operated almost right-winger.

Manchester United forward Rooney opened the scoring on four minutes with a far-post header from Johnson's cross, a minute after hitting the woodwork with a close-range, reflex effort.

Retiring goalkeeper Koldo Alvarez made some good saves but was only at fault for one of England's goals as a part-time Andorra side lent credence to the theory that Europe's football minnows should play pre-qualifying rounds before entering the group stage proper.

It was 2-0 just before the half hour when Johnson again found space on the flank, threading the ball through to Theo Walcott. The Arsenal man dragged the ball back to Lampard who made no mistake with a low finish into the bottom right.

Ten minutes later, Rooney got his second and England's third with a sweet volley into the top right from another Johnson cross and the half-time stats said it all - 83 per cent possession to the hosts and 15 shots to Andorra's sole attempt, a long-range effort straight at the otherwise bored Robert Green.

Capello denied Rooney a hat-trick by bringing Defoe on at the break, while Aston Villa winger Ashley Young was also given 45 minutes in place of Steven Gerrard, who had played an unfamiliar role on the left.

Tottenham striker Defoe did not start especially well, dragging a close-range finish wide of the far post and creeping offside when given a free route to goal by Walcott.

But midway through the second half he scored twice in three minutes to take his England record under Capello to five goals.

First, Beckham played a short corner routine to Johnson, whose excellent cross was headed into the bottom left by the former West Ham and Portsmouth hit-man.

Then Defoe pounced from close range after Koldo made his only error in spilling a long-range Beckham free-kick.

Peter Crouch sealed the win with 10 minutes left, almost embarrassed after he was allowed to scuff the ball past Koldo following a defensive mix-up by the visitors.

Croatia and Ukraine have a game in hand but, even though they four matches left, England are guaranteed a play-off place at least and a win in one of their last three matches will see them qualify for South Africa as group winners.


England cruised to an expected and easy 6-0 win over Andorra at Wembley to give Fabio Capello a 100 per cent record in World Cup qualifying.
Two goals apiece from Wayne Rooney and half-time replacement Jermain Defoe and goals from Frank Lampard and Peter Crouch helped the home side to their seventh win in seven Group 6 games.

Rooney's double strike made him the top scorer in European qualification for the 2010 finals in South Africa, with eight goals.

Duo going nowhere

Berba and Vidic vow to United

Manchester United's Dimitar Berbatov and Nemanja Vidic will NOT be leaving during the summer – according to their agents. The men representing defender Vidic and striker Berbatov have both poured cold water on rumours linking them with moves away from Old Trafford. Paolo Fabbri, who handles the affairs of Serbian international Vidic, said that Vidic would not go unless he was the subject of a “crazy offer”. Vidic has been linked with a £25m move to Barcelona or AC Milan but Fabbri said: “I don’t think we will have any surprises in the short-term – we are not planning to move." Berbatov’s agent Emil Dantchev said that the Bulgarian will also be a United player next season. There has been speculation he may be sold but his agent insisted: “Despite speculation that he may leave I want to declare that Dimitar will play for Manchester United next season. There is no desire from the management for any separation. He will stay and we hope he will win what he missed out on this year.”
Kevin Francis, Daily Star

Having missed the start of last season as he recovered from ankle surgery, Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly keen to have surgery on a hernia post-haste. The Times claims the winger aggravated a groin injury on international duty, and will go under the knife so as only to miss the start of pre-season training.

The Sun claims United skipper Gary Neville could be in line for a first international start in over two years on Wednesday. With first-choice Glen Johnson one booking away from a suspension, Neville may be selected for England's clash with Andorra at Wembley.



Berba and Vidic vow to United
Manchester United's Dimitar Berbatov and Nemanja Vidic will NOT be leaving during the summer – according to their agents. The men representing defender Vidic and striker Berbatov have both poured cold water on rumours linking them with moves away from Old Trafford. Paolo Fabbri, who handles the affairs of Serbian international Vidic, said that Vidic would not go unless he was the subject of a “crazy offer”.

Real Madrid sign Kaka in £60m deal

Real Madrid have completed the signing of Brazilian playmaker Kaka from Milan for just under £60 million.
The 27-year-old international has agreed to a six-year contract to become the first player to join Real since Florentino Perez returned to the presidency this month.

Reports said the transfer fee was around 68 million euros (£58.8m) which would make it the second biggest ever after Zinedine Zidane joined Real from Juventus for around 73m euros (£63.1m) in 2001.

Zidane's move was worth £46.5m at the time, but has 'increased' since then due to exchange rate fluctuations. Nevertheless, the Frenchman's remains indisputably the largest since both fees were negotiated in euros.

Kaka completed a routine medical earlier on Monday in Recife, where Brazil face Paraguay at home in a World Cup qualifier on Wednesday.

Kaka said he was leaving the Italians on good terms.

"Everything I've always done for Milan has been by mutual agreement, from the moment I arrived until my departure today," he said at the Brazil team hotel. "I'm leaving by the front door."

"I've won everything that I wanted as a player and this is a new motivation for me."

"I'm sure Real Madrid will build a competitive team which can start winning titles again."

The official unveiling in Madrid is likely to take place at the end of the month, after the Confederations Cup in South Africa.

"We are working on building a good team, an important team, and this has only just begun," Perez told radio station Onda Cero.

Milan thanked Kaka for his contribution.

"Milan thanks the man Kaka and the champion Kaka for his decisive contributions to so many victories obtained in the last six years," the Serie A club said.

"His loss on the field, though serious, can be filled. It will, however, be very difficult to fill the void left by Kaka the man."

Kaka has long been a target for Real Madrid since former president Ramon Calderon promised to sign him in his election campaign in 2006 but failed to deliver.

Calderon resigned in January paving the way for Perez to come back three years after he stood down, and he was returned unopposed to the post.

Perez has promised to deliver a "spectacular sporting project" built around the world's greatest players, and local media have spoken of a 300m euro (£259.5m) war chest which will be used to finance a second 'Galactico era' at the Bernabeu.

Having lured the likes of Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane and David Beckham to Real earlier in the decade, Perez's flagship first signing on his return was Kaka, a move seen as both a declaration of intent and a dig at his predecessor.

He has also spoken of interest in Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo, Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery, Liverpool's Xabi Alonso and Valencia duo David Villa and David Silva.

New coach Manuel Pellegrini is the man tasked with blending these talents into a team capable of challenging treble-winners Barcelona.

Kaka will not face much competition in midfield which was one of Real's weakest areas last season as they lacked flair players capable of opening up sides in big games.

His arrival will also cheer Real fans clamouring for a more entertaining brand of football, and who had often chanted "Where is Kaka?" at player presentations under Calderon over the last couple of years.



Real Madrid have completed the signing of Brazilian playmaker Kaka from Milan for just under £60 million.
The 27-year-old international has agreed to a six-year contract to become the first player to join Real since Florentino Perez returned to the presidency this month.

Reports said the transfer fee was around 68 million euros (£58.8m) which would make it the second biggest ever after Zinedine Zidane joined Real from Juventus for around 73m euros (£63.1m) in 2001.

Kaka Deal Shows Up Chelsea

The £58 million Real Madrid paid for Kaka is a lot of money, but there can be no doubt he is a supreme talent and Real know what they are getting.

It is a massive sum, but not all that surprising in today's world. Milan were simply not in a position to turn that sort of money down.

Although Manchester City fans will say the fee could have been £40m more if Kaka had signed for them, I don't think that was ever going to happen. City were not the right club for him.

You also have to say the deal represents another failure in the transfer market for Chelsea, who have really struggled to make the 'fantasy' signings Roman Abramovich wanted when he bought the club.

While they denied making a formal bid for Kaka, they were certainly interested and it would be naive to think they were not involved in negotiations on some level.

It is hard for them because they just do not have a prestigious enough name to sign the very top players.

They have had five years of success, but that is not enough to build the kind of reputation that Real enjoy, with their countless domestic titles and nine European Cups. A few barren years do not affect them as much because of their glittering history.

I think most players would rather sign for Liverpool than Chelsea, even though they have not won the league for 19 years.

When I signed for Manchester United they had gone 25 years without winning the league but that certainly did not put me off. If anything, it was an incentive.

If a club has a dry spell, the rewards and accolades will be all the greater if you can help them end the drought. Imagine the glory and adulation for the Liverpool squad that finally wins the Premier League.
Kaka can expect something similar if he helps Real return to the top of the pile in Spain.

Many people who saw Real's defending last season might say they should concentrate on strengthening at the back, but what they need more than any individual player is the team spirit and unity that Barcelona have.

It obviously helps to have a midfielder who can rival Xavi and Andres Iniesta for technical ability, but it will count for nothing unless Real find some cohesion, which was sadly lacking last season.

One thing you can say about Kaka is that he is not a prima donna, and seems fairly humble. He will work hard for the team and keep his nose clean. Any club in the world would love to have him.

We all know about Real president Florentino Perez's formula for buying success through 'Galacticos', and he has shown that it can work.
It will certainly add interest to the Spanish league. At the moment, people really want to watch Barcelona, but Kaka's arrival at their big rivals will immediately make Real more attractive and interesting to neutrals, and hopefully it will spice up the Liga title race.



The £58 million Real Madrid paid for Kaka is a lot of money, but there can be no doubt he is a supreme talent and Real know what they are getting.

It is a massive sum, but not all that surprising in today's world. Milan were simply not in a position to turn that sort of money down.

Although Manchester City fans will say the fee could have been £40m more if Kaka had signed for them, I don't think that was ever going to happen. City were not the right club for him.

You also have to say the deal represents another failure in the transfer market for Chelsea, who have really struggled to make the 'fantasy' signings Roman Abramovich wanted when he bought the club.

Pukimak!

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Kung Fu star David Carradine has been found dead

Kill Bill and Kung Fu star David Carradine has been found dead in a Bangkok hotel room on Thursday.

Thai police told the BBC a hotel maid found the 72-year-old naked in a wardrobe with a cord around his neck and other parts of his body.

The US star was in Thailand filming his latest film, Stretch, according to his personal manager Chuck Binder.

Mr Binder said the news was "shocking", adding: "He was full of life, always wanting to work... a great person."

Police said the actor's body was found in a suite at the 5-star Swissotel Nai Lert Park hotel.

A US embassy official confirmed the actor's death, but added that the cause of death had not yet been established.
However, Thai newspaper The Nation reported that police believe the actor took his own life, and preliminary investigations found that he hanged himself.

Carradine was part of an acting dynasty which included his father, John Carradine, and brothers Bruce, Keith and Robert.

The star was best known for his role as Kwai Chang Caine in the 1970s TV series Kung Fu, which spawned sequels in the '80s and '90s.

The character became one of the most iconic roles in US TV and earned Carradine both Emmy and Golden Globe nominations.
While his film career saw him working with directors including Martin Scorsese and Ingmar Bergman, the cult actor was considered something of a B-movie legend.

In 2003, after years in the straight-to-video market, Carradine found a new audience thanks to his role in the Quentin Tarantino film Kill Bill.

He was most recently seen on the big screen as a Chinese mobster in Crank: High Voltage, opposite British actor Jason Statham.

Carradine was an accomplished composer, musician, musical performer and songwriter. According to his official website, he was also a sculptor and a painter.

He is survived by his wife, Annie Bierman, and three children including actresses Calista and Kansas.



Kill Bill and Kung Fu star David Carradine has been found dead in a Bangkok hotel room on Thursday.

Thai police told the BBC a hotel maid found the 72-year-old naked in a wardrobe with a cord around his neck and other parts of his body.

The US star was in Thailand filming his latest film, Stretch, according to his personal manager Chuck Binder.

Mr Binder said the news was "shocking", adding: "He was full of life, always wanting to work... a great person."

Police said the actor's body was found in a suite at the 5-star Swissotel Nai Lert Park hotel.

A US embassy official confirmed the actor's death, but added that the cause of death had not yet been established.