Hleb linked with Real Madrid - Transfer Talk
Who? - Andrea Dossena - Quite likely Where is he? - Udinese Who is he linked with? - Liverpool
Udinese full-back Andrea Dossena hopes the rumours suggesting he is set to sign for Liverpool eventually come to fruition. The 26-year-old, who is believed to be valued in the region of 8million, is also being linked with switches to Fiorentina and Juventus, but the Reds are currently favourites to land the left-back. "Liverpool are a famous team and it's good to be mentioned with them," said Dossena. "I want to play in the Champions League and Liverpool are a side that have won it and reach the late stages often. "They are one of the famous names in Europe - comparable with the biggest teams in Italy. In England I think Liverpool are Manchester United's equal - they can rival them." Udine coach, Pasquale Marino, believes the defender will eventually move to Anfield, saying earlier this month: "I think that a deal with Liverpool for Dossena is on the way. "Everything is going smoothly. The requirements are in place and the player has given his consent, because he wants to test himself at an important club after the season he has had." Dossena moved to the Friuli in the summer of 2005, having also played in Serie A for both Verona and Treviso, while he has also won one cap for Italy.
Who? - Cristiano Ronaldo - Speculation Where is he? - Manchester United Who is he linked with? - Real Madrid
Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has played down the spat between his club and Manchester United over the future of Portugal international Cristiano Ronaldo. United had threatened to report Real to FIFA after growing irritated at the Spanish side's public pronouncements concerning a player who scored 42 goals in the campaign just ended. However, Calderon told Real's official website: "We haven't done, nor will we do anything against the wishes of a club that we consider a friend like Manchester United. "Our relationship with Manchester is magnificent and we will not do anything that would violate the will of a team, just as we would not like that done to us. We know Manchester doesn't want to sell and we have nothing to say. It's a problem between the player and his team." On Tuesday evening, United issued a statement that read: "We have watched with growing irritation the comments attributed to Real Madrid over their alleged desire to sign Cristiano Ronaldo. "The facts are: The player is on a long-term contract and his registration is held by Manchester United. The player is not for sale. "The club will have no alternative but to report Real Madrid to the world governing body, FIFA, if it continues to behave in this totally unacceptable fashion. "These public attempts to unsettle the player are completely against the regulations and the club will not tolerate them any longer. "In addition, the club is certain that they are a distraction for the Portuguese national squad as they prepare for the European Championships. "No-one should be in any doubt that Manchester United will do everything in its power to keep its best players."
Who? - Sven Goran Eriksson - Speculation Where is he? - Manchester City Who is he linked with? - Running away
Manchester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson remains the favourite to become Mexico's new national team coach. Mexican Football Federation president Justino Compean insists the former England boss is on the verge of accepting the post. He said: "We only seriously considered (Luiz Felipe) Scolari and Eriksson. We have sorted out the details with Eriksson and we are about to confirm him. "We are expecting to reveal it (the new coach's name) on June 2, so he can be formally unveiled on the 3rd. It is about to be completed, but as long as we don't have anything signed we cannot reveal anything. "We have already talked to the directors and convinced the ones who initially disagreed. Here we take unanimous decisions and the name will be accepted by everyone."
Who? - Sidney Govou - Very likely Where is he? - Olympique Lyonnais Who is he linked with? - Portsmouth
Lyon striker Sidney Govou's agent believes his client will be a Portsmouth player next season. The 28-year-old has been linked with a host of clubs, but rumours suggesting he was heading to Fratton Park intensified when Pompey boss Harry Redknapp was seen in the stands as Lyon won the French Cup final at the weekend. "Sidney wants to come to England and is interested in Portsmouth," said Govou's agent, Frederic Guerra. "He is at an age where he wants to move. He has made that decision. But at the moment I don't know if that is possible. "I have heard that Harry Redknapp may be interested. But Harry has not contacted me and nor has anyone from Portsmouth so far."
Who? - Giovani dos Santos - Speculation Where is he? - Barcelona Who is he linked with? - Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham have emerged as the favourites to clinch the signing of Barcelona teenager Giovani dos Santos this summer. The 19-year-old burst on to the scene at the Under-17 World Cup in 2005 but has been used sparingly by Barca, not making his first-team debut until September 2007. He went on to score four goals in 11 starts and 22 appearances from the substitute's bench for the Catalan giants in the campaign just ended and is valued in the region of 11million. Dos Santos scored a hat-trick in the 5-3 victory at Murcia on the last day of the 2007-08 season earlier this month.He has five full caps for Mexico despite qualifying to play for Brazil through his father, himself a former footballer, Zizinho. Meanwhile, Brazilian side Cruzeiro have confirmed that reported Spurs target Marcelo Moreno has completed his transfer to Shakhtar Donetsk.
Who? - Ricardo Rocha - Very likely Where is he? - Tottenham Hotspur Who is he linked with? - Benfica
Ricardo Rocha could be heading back to Benfica. The 29-year-old left the Portuguese side and moved to White Hart Lane in January 2007 but has struggled to settle in north London, making only 18 appearances for the club. He suffered an ankle injury eight months ago and has not made a first-team appearance for the north London side since Juande Ramos replaced Martin Jol as manager. New Benfica coach Quique Sanchez Flores is keen to improve his defensive options and is believed to favour a move for former Braga star Rocha.
Who? - Aleksandr Hleb - Speculation Where is he? - Arsenal Who is he linked with? - Real Madrid
Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster has confirmed that his club are keen to try and sign Arsenal winger Aleksandr Hleb, who seems set to leave the Gunners this summer. The 27-year-old Belarus international has been attracting interest from both Internazionale and AC Milan, having admitted that he is seeking a change of lifestyle. However, Schuster now believes that his club could be in with a strong chance of beating off their Italian rivals to land Hleb. He told AS: "There are a couple of positions that we can improve and that need to be strengthened to have the necessary balance. Over the past two months we have had a plan and we know what we want, but now Hleb has been added. We did not know he could leave Arsenal, but in recent days it has been more positive. We were surprised that he might leave there."
Who? - Fernando Torres - Speculation Where is he? - Liverpool Who is he linked with? - Chelsea
Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks has dismissed as laughable reports linking star striker Fernando Torres with a 50million move to Chelsea this summer. The 24-year-old made a superb start to his time at Anfield, scoring 33 goals in all competitions for the Reds following his arrival from Atletico Madrid. Chelsea are now rumoured to be keen on trying to tempt Torres to move on, but Hicks has stated that there is no chance of that happening. He told The Mirror: "It is simply beyond comprehension. There is no circumstance in which Torres will be sold. Why would the owners invest so much money in supporting the manager to then undermine that support? It is ludicrous." Torres, who is currently preparing for Euro 2008 with the Spain national team told reporters: "I am enjoying my time at Liverpool. I would prefer to forget the transfer talk for now and concentrate on Euro 2008, which is my primary concern at the moment. I will go away on holiday once the tournament has finished and will then return to Liverpool."
Who? - Habib Beye - Speculation Where is he? - Newcastle United Who is he linked with? - Leaving
Newcastle United right-back Habib Beye says he has enjoyed his first season with the Magpies and is ready to remain on Tyneside for the long-term. The 30-year-old Senegal international fitted in well following his arrival from French club Marseille and Beye is looking forward to help move the club forward next term. He told the Evening Chronicle: "Even after my contract is finished here, I'd like to stay beyond it. Playing for Marseille was a fantastic experience, but Newcastle is a special club for me. We wanted to finish last season strongly and already we are looking forward to next year. I'm very happy to play for Newcastle. Sometimes you have some difficulties, but you learn all the time when you play football. This season has been different for me. When I played for Marseille, I played in the Champions League and this year we had to fight to keep Newcastle in the Premier League. But you learn all the time and I'm really enjoying playing for Newcastle. I want to stay and spend a long time here."
Who? - Marek Matejovsky - Speculation Where is he? - Reading Who is he linked with? - Leaving
Reading's Czech Republic international midfielder Marek Matejovsky has hinted that he will stay with the Royals next season, despite their relegation from the Premier League. The 26-year-old only moved to the Madejski Stadium in January and scored once in 14 games as Steve Coppell's side suffered relegation from the top-flight. He told Pravo: "I have a contract at Reading and I count on returning there. I have been watching news on the internet to know if they are going to sell some players and if coach Steve Coppell will stay. I read that he would continue for which I am glad, as he brought me into the club and he knows me well. I have learned to play football in a high tempo. I had to do my maximum in every training session to at least be nominated for the games. The competition is big and I am glad that I have had the chance to play so many games in the Premier League. It has definitely helped me and I hope I will be a little bit better."
