A round-up of other soccer news in brief
Real now turn attention to Ronaldo with €87m bid
REAL Madrid's relentless pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo will manifest itself in the Spanish club making their first official contact with Manchester United to propose a world-record €87 million transfer, reports Daniel Taylor.
Refusing to be put off by United's insistence that the player is not for sale, Real's president, Florentino Perez, reiterated last night that he still wanted to bring Ronaldo to the Bernabeu despite the €68 million signing of Kaka from Milan.
Perez has been encouraged by Ronaldo's representatives, who are intent on making the deal happen, and said he planned to speak to his counterpart at Old Trafford, David Gill, as well as the United manager, Alex Ferguson.
"Ronaldo is a great player who we would like to bring to the club but first we have to speak to Manchester United because the important thing is for us to maintain a good rapport with everyone," said Perez. "Kaka is (just) the first signing. We are always thinking about great players. Cristiano Ronaldo (is) among the other great players around the world. I will do everything possible to get Ronaldo to Real Madrid."
Perez went on to speak about his admiration for Zlatan Ibrahimovich, the Internazionale forward, but he distanced himself from reports that Liverpool's Xabi Alonso could also be signed. "He is a great player but he also plays in a big team and I haven't heard any news that they (Liverpool] plan to sell him."
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Pato looks to Ancelotti for grounding
AC MILAN striker Alexandre Pato plans to hold talks with former boss and new Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti before deciding on his future.
The 19-year-old Brazilian, whose compatriot Kaka sealed a move from Milan to Real Madrid on Monday, has been a constant goal threat since joining from Internacional in 2007.
Milan sold playmaker Kaka to help boost their bank balance and insist Pato is staying but speculation has been rife that former San Siro boss Ancelotti wants to take him to London.
"I will talk with Ancelotti. He is an extraordinary man. It is thanks to Ancelotti that I managed to come through at Milan and in Italian football," Pato said. "Before deciding my future I want to talk with him"
Media reports in Italy have linked Milan with the quick purchase of Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko to try to quell the unrest among the club's fans caused by the Kaka sale.
Benitez denies Lavezzi interest
LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez has dismissed suggestions he is trying to sign Napoli striker Ezequiel Lavezzi.
There were claims in Italy yesterday that Napoli had been approached by an agent acting as an intermediary for Liverpool over a possible €17 million deal for the 24-year-old Argentina international.
And the player’s advisor Eduardo Rossetto insisted that “Liverpool’s proposal is true.”
However, Benitez said yesterday: “We never contacted Lavezzi and we have no intention of doing so. We want to put a stop to these rumours.”
Liverpool have also reaffirmed their position on Javier Mascherano, who has been linked with Barcelona, insisting the player is not for sale.
Benitez will no doubt be displeased to learn that Mascherano’s agent, Walter Tamer, has been claims the Argentine midfielder would like to join Barcelona.
Scolari finds a new home
FORMER Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari has been named coach of Bunyodkor, the Uzbek champions said yesterday.
The 60-year-old World Cup winning coach with Brazil, who was sacked by the English Premier League club in February, has agreed an 18-month contract.
Scolari succeeds fellow Brazilian Zico, who led Bunyodkor to the league and cup double last year before quitting to join CSKA Moscow.
Crumlin deprived by McAllister
Shelbourne 1 Crumlin Utd 1
DAVID McAllister earned Shelbourne a replay back at Tolka Park on Monday night to deprive non-league Crumlin United a shock last night.
McAllister volleyed home a 67th minute equaliser for the First Division side after Crumlin only half-cleared Derek Doyle’s long throw into their box.
Crumlin had taken the lead following a counterattack on 58 minutes when Tony Griffiths was tugged back by Robbie Hedderman.
The Shelbourne defender was shown a second yellow card and sent off before Danny Loughran converted from the penalty spot.
CRUMLIN UNITED: Sutton: Kavanagh, McCabe, Kenna, Griffin; Cramer, Larkin, Lee, Douglas; Loughran, Griffiths.
SHELBOURNE: Delaney; Quigley, Doherty, Hedderman, Crawley; McAllister, McGill, Cassidy, Doyle; Hynes, Flood.
Referee: P Tuite (Dublin).
O'Neill denies making bid for Owen
MARTIN O’Neill has denied reports that out of contract Newcastle striker Michael Owen has been offered a two-year deal by Aston Villa.
O’Neill is known to be an admirer of the England striker despite the 29-year-old having been hit by a succession of injuries in recent years. But the Villa manager, who is currently on holiday, has played down suggestions that the club have already made an offer to the former Liverpool and Real Madrid player.
Villa issued a statement on their official website which read: “Martin O’Neill has dismissed stories suggesting Villa have offered Michael Owen a two-year contract.
“O’Neill has hit back after newspaper reports suggested the club were ready to hand the England striker almost £3 million (€3.5m) per season — with a further 12 month option dependent on injuries and goals.”
