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Who? - Cristiano Ronaldo - Speculation Where is he? - Manchester United Who is he linked with? - Real Madrid

Real Madrid appear to have finally admitted defeat in their bid to lure Cristiano Ronaldo away from Manchester United this summer. The Old Trafford club have continually denied speculation linking the 23-year-old Portugal international with a move to the Bernabeu following his impressive season. Ronaldo scored a remarkable 42 times as United secured a Premier League and Champions League double in the season just ended. The Red Devils threatened to report the Spanish giants to FIFA over their public pursuit of Ronaldo and Real now appear resigned to the fact that the former Sporting Lisbon starlet will be remaining in Manchester for at least another year. "You can't buy what the owner does not want to sell," admitted Real president Ramon Calderon, who has himself released several media statements revealing his admiration for the player in recent weeks. Real Madrid are friends with Manchester United and we do not want to fall out with them."

Who? - Diego Capel - Speculation Where is he? - Seville Who is he linked with? - Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur have not yet matched the valuation for Diego Capel, according to Sevilla president Jose Maria del Rey. The London club have been linked in recent weeks with the highly-rated midfielder, who has a clause in his contract which stipulates he can leave if a certain amount is offered. However, Del Nido has said: "From the discussions with his agents, I have no news if Tottenham are going to pay his buy-out clause, which is 15.6 million euros [12.3 million]. And I ask: Would a foreign club use the clause in Spain? Clubs have asked for three or four players from our squad, but we do not put them on the market. If there are players with low buy-out clauses who could leave, as it happened with [Seydou] Keita [and Barcelona], the club can come and see me on Tuesday."

Who? - Shaun Maloney - Speculation Where is he? - Aston Villa Who is he linked with? - Celtic

Aston Villa midfielder Shaun Maloney has revealed his frustration with life at the club. The 25-year-old joined the Midlands side from Celtic in 2007, but has struggled to settle and been linked with a switch back to Scotland ever since. "I've got something to think about," he said. "I have started to enjoy the club down south but I've just not played and I don't think that's ideal. One day I'd like to come back and play in Scotland but I have got a few years left on my contract at Villa so we will see what happens."

Who? - Emile Lokonda Mpenza - Speculation Where is he? - Manchester City Who is he linked with? - Ipswich Town

Four clubs are interested in signing Manchester City striker Emile Mpenza, according to the player's agent. Bolton Wanderers, Reading, Ipswich Town and League 1 side Leicester City have all signalled their intent, but Ipswich are thought to be frontrunners. Rachid Tajhout explains: "We have had good discussions with Ipswich and hope to receive an offer in the next week or so." Mpenza joined City from Qatari club Al Rayyan in February 2007. He has scored six goals in 30 games since then.

Who? - Gareth Barry - Speculation Where is he? - Aston Villa Who is he linked with? - Liverpool
Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry will sort out his future at Villa Park after England's friendly against Trinidad & Tobago at the weekend. The 27-year-old midfielder is a target for Liverpool, but Barry says he has yet to hold serious talks with Villa boss Martin O'Neill to decide on whether to stay or move on. He said after the 2-0 victory of the USA: "Will I be at Villa next season? That is something I've been speaking to the manager and chairman about. We've already had one meeting. My idea was to get these two games out of the way and I am sure we will be speaking again soon. Any sort of interest by a big club is flattering, but I am still an Aston Villa player. I've got two years left of my contract and until some sort of bid is accepted, or the manager tells me otherwise, there is no decision to make. No decision has been made because no bid has been accepted."

Who? - Aleksandr Hleb - Speculation Where is he? - Arsenal Who is he linked with? - Barcelona, Real Madrid and Internazionale

Arsenal winger Aleksandr Hleb has played down talk of him making an imminent exit from the Gunners, despite rumours linking him with a number of top clubs across Europe. The 27-year-old's agent had made it clear that the Belarus international wants a new challenge, but Hleb has now tried to play down the speculation linking him with the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Internazionale. He told Spox.com: "I have a contract at Arsenal until 2010. I have also read that I have said I want to leave, but I do not know who has written it. That is nonsense. I have also read that I wanted to move because Arsenal would win nothing, this too is nonsense. But I would really not like to comment on the issue really, because there is nothing more to say because the club means so much to me. I have learned so much from Arsene Wenger. This man has always supported me and given me the chance to come to Arsenal. I would therefore never say anything negative about Arsenal. If I go, then only to a different league, in any case. In England, there is only Arsenal for me."

Who? - Brian McBride - Very likely Where is he? - Fulham Who is he linked with? - America

Fulham's veteran American striker Brian McBride has opted to leave the club and return to his homeland this summer. The 35-year-old frontman, who has also played in England for Preston North End and Everton, joined the Cottagers in January 2004 and scored 40 goals in 153 appearances for Fulham. He told the club's official website: "After much consideration with my family, we have decided to leave Fulham after four and a half fantastic years. I have always stated my intention to return to America at some stage and this seems like the right moment in my career to move on. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the club, the chairman, the staff and wonderful fans for all their support, on and off the pitch, during my time at Fulham. I take great pride in the fact that my last appearance for Fulham saw the club maintain their Premier League status. I leave with some wonderful memories from my time at Fulham and the club will always be in my heart. I would like to wish the club, Roy Hodgson and my team-mates every success for the future."

Who? - Andre Ooijer - Speculation Where is he? - Blackburn Rovers Who is he linked with? - Leaving

Blackburn Rovers centre-half Andre Ooijer has admitted that he may consider a move away from Ewood Park this summer to try and secure regular first-team football. The 33-year-old Netherlands international is concerned that he is not viewed as first-choice by Rovers manager Mark Hughes, having had to play second fiddle to Ryan Nelsen and Christopher Samba towards the end of last season. Ooijer, who is under contract with Rovers until the summer of 2009, told Sportweek: "I appreciated my new contract, but a moment later I was sat on the bench. I am not happy about that, I do not wish to continuously sit on the bench. I have talked with Sigi Lens, my agent, and agreed that I would concentrate on the European Championship and the rest is up to him. Sigi knows what I want. Back to Holland? I have not thought about it and there will be a price-tag on my head. Again, I'm not saying I want to go down that road, but I am open to another club."

Who? - James McFadden - Speculation Where is he? - Birmingham City Who is he linked with? - Leaving

Birmingham City's first-team coach Andy Watson is confident that Scotland international forward James McFadden will still be a Blues player at the start of next season. The 25-year-old scored four goals in 12 games for City following his arrival from Everton in the January transfer window, but was unable to help Birmingham avoid relegation from the Premier League. However, Watson is confident that McFadden will not cut and run from St Andrew's. He told the Birmingham Mail: "The one thing I feel about James is that he's a man of his word. He doesn't mess about. If he wanted to go, I'm sure he would come and say 'look, I would like to move'. I think he would be up-front with us and I'm sure if he was unhappy about anything here, he would be first to let us know, in the correct manner. And, by the same token, if something happens and James says 'look, I'd rather be playing in the Premier League' I'm sure he would come and do things the right way as well. I'm certain there wouldn't be any of these things like working for a move, it would be bold, straightforward and up-front. That's the kind of man he is and I respect him for that. He has intimated he would like to be here, he is enjoying it here and he would like to help get us out of the Championship. James is playing every week here and that's what he wants, regular football."

Who? - Michael Bradley - Speculation Where is he? - Heerenveen Who is he linked with? - Everton

Heerenveen midfielder Michael Bradley has again spoken of his desire to make a move to England this summer. The 20-year-old USA international featured for his country in their 2-0 defeat by England at Wembley on Wednesday and Bradley was hoping to impress possible bidders. He told the Daily Echo: "I'd love to play in England. It's a fantastic league and there are some terrific players. I watch the games on TV and the speed of them is incredible. They are competitive and I would love to play here. I have one year left on my contract at Heerenveen, so I am looking to move this summer. Hopefully something will work out. I know all about Everton. It is a great club and I think anybody would be honoured to go and play there, I know I would. We'll just have to see what happens in the next few weeks."