Sport News 18.07.2008

Ronaldo to remain at Manchester United !

Speaking at a press conference held at the European Champion's tour base in South Africa, Ferguson confirmed reports that he met with his star man in Portugal last week. The Red Devils boss gave a dramatically different account of the meeting than the Spanish media, however, who had claimed that Ronaldo had infuriated his manager by confirming his plans to leave."The meeting went well - I think we both put across our points of view - where we stand and where the player stands," Sir Alex assured."I can say he'll be a Manchester United player next season. He won't be sold."

The Portuguese megastar has been the subject of intense transfer rumours since virtually the minute after he helped lead United to the European Cup, but Ferguson insists that he never really doubted that Ronaldo would choose to stay."It's not a difficult position. I was on my holiday and I was not going to interrupt my holiday, believe me," the manager continued."I wasn't panicked because the player is under contract so the strength and the rights are with Manchester United."What we have done well is to say nothing. We've kept quiet on this matter and kept it private and what I said to Cristiano remains private. I did go and see him last week in Portugal and it was very amicable - there were no problems. That's where we are and we carry on."Ferguson concluded by giving an update on the player's ankle injury, and confirmed that October is the earliest possible date that they can realistically hope to have him back available."He's had an operation and he'll be out for three months. He's on crutches for the first four weeks, he'll be in rehabilitation for the next four and then the following four he'll be back into football training," Sir Alex added.

The time mapped out is three months and we won't bring him back a day earlier than that."I think when players have operations we have a responsibility that the player comes back 100 per cent and we'll carry that out as we normally do."There'll be no risk-taking - we never take risks. Our goal is to always make sure that the player gets back 100 per cent and that will be the same in the case of Cristiano Ronaldo."

Liverpool enter Eto'o race.

The Cameroonian striker is being offered to Europe's major clubs and many have already previously made contact to ask about his annual salary and transfer fee.

While all those enquiries have failed to lead to a single concrete offer, Barça are determined to sell Eto'o this summer and may lower their demands in the coming weeks.That would allow Liverpool to make their move and Rafa Benítez believes that the powerful 27-year-old could form an incredible partnership alongside Fernando Torres.Finances at Anfield may be tight, but following the sale of Peter Crouch to Portsmouth, there maybe some room for negotiation with the Catalan giants

Manager Rafa Benítez is said to want Keane, but Tottenham will not let their captain go cheaply and his asking price could even rise above the amount Barça are requesting for their striker.Eto'o has flown back to Barcelona after a promotional trip to Uzbekistan and is due to return to pre-season training with the Blaugrana on Saturday.

Talks are set to be held between the player, his agent, José María Mesalles, and Barcelona and they are predicted to not be easy as the striker has done nothing himself to push for an exit.Liverpool would be a destination that could attract Eto'o, however, and the promise of Champions League football is the key thing in his list of priorities of any would-be suitor.Pep Guardiola has stated that if no deal can be done and the goalscorer remains then he will have no problems incorporating him into his squad for the new season.

Barcelona's board have said on various occasions that they want to off-load the forward, who joined the club four years ago from Real Mallorca, and buy a replacement.

Quaresma to Inter?

Nerazzurri supporters may have something to smile about in the coming weeks if reports in Portugal are to be believed. Portuguese speedster Ricardo Quaresma has been linked to the Scudetto holders throughout the summer and with the transfer market heating up in recent days, the Porto player looks likely to swap his blue and white stripes for the Inter black and blue.Quaresma has not played in Porto's first three pre-season friendlies because of stomach problems, but has now returned to training. The move is looking likely, as all three parties involved stand to benefit from the transfer.

Inter have been in the market for a creative force in midfield and Portuguese daily A Bola reports that the move is just a matter of time away.A team that can challenge for the Champions League may be a big motivational factor for Quaresma, an advantage that the Italian outfit certain has over the Portuguese champions. The player needs to make the move to one of the top leagues in Europe in order to further his career, but whether his sights are really set on the Nerazzurri remains to be seen

posted by Midnight Sun @ 19:25,

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