RONALDO TO USE DIRTY TRICKS TO FORCE MADRID MOVE?
Cristiano Ronaldo will reportedly attempt to force a move to Real Madrid without formally requesting a transfer from Manchester United.

A fresh wave of speculation about Ronaldo dominates the Sunday papers, with Fleet Street unanimous that the Portuguese forward is intent on leaving Old Trafford. However, it remains to be seen exactly how he will achieve his 'dream' move to Madrid.

According to The Observer, Ronaldo's agent, Jorge Mendes, 'has been mandated by Real to offer a cash-plus-player deal. Brazil's Robinho and Wesley Sneijder of Holland head the list with which Real hope to tempt Sir Alex Ferguson, with the Spanish club's opening offer expected to be €40 million plus one of the two. Ronaldo, due to go on holiday, is said to be confident that United will accept that his departure is inevitable.'




ARSENAL DECIDE TO SELL ADEBAYOR
Arsenal are reportedly ready to sell Emmanuel Adebayor, their leading goalscorer last season, because they are unwilling to meet his demand for a £80,000-a-week contract.

According to The Mail on Sunday, Arsene Wenger has personally authorised the Togo striker's sale and the Gunners are now attempting to instigate a bidding war between Barcelona and AC Milan.

'The Arsenal manager and board of directors are prepared to sanction Adebayor's exit having been infuriated by the player's wage demands, which are understood to be £80,000 a week,' the newspaper reports. 'He was given a wage rise just a year ago and, although the board were prepared to give him another increase to £60,000 a week in light of the 24 goals he scored last season, his demands have proved too great to reconcile.'


SPURS AGREE VILLA FEE
Tottenham have reportedly agreed to pay Valencia £20m for David Villa.

According to The Sunday Mirror, the 'striking sensation of Euro 2008 has been the number one target for Tottenham manager Juande Ramos and Spurs have made it clear they will pay the £20m asking price.'

Rather suspiciously, the story ends at this point with no further details supplies.
Which makes Transfer Gossip suspect that Spurs are still a million miles from actually signing the player. For all we know, there may be at least ten clubs which have agreed to pay £20m for the striker.


CARVALHO HEADING TO INTER
Let's stay with the Sunday Mirror for a moment because the newspaper is also claiming that Ricardo Carvalho is poised to make a £15million switch to Inter Milan.

Jose Mourinho is described as 'confident' that he will soon be reunited with the defender, while 'sources close to Carvalho now believe he has set his sights on a move to the Italian champions.'

The good news, however, for Chelsea is that the Mirror reckons Frank Lampard will stay at the club.

'He was hugely impressed with the sensitivity with which the Chelsea hierarchy handled the situation of the death of his mother Pat last season, and is reluctant to show any form of disloyalty to the club which helped him so much at a difficult time in his personal life.'


ARSHAVIN ASKS FOR A MOVE FROM ZENIT
Courtesy of inspiring Russia into the semi-finals of Euro 2008, Andrei Arshavin has become one of the most in-demand players in Europe and the good news for his growing number of suitors is that he has asked for a move out of Zenit St Petersburg.

"Andrei has told us that he wishes to change clubs. At present in the way of offers it is quiet. But the situation may well change soon," confirmed Zenit boss boss Dick Advocaat.

Arshavin has a £10m get-out clause in his contract and The Sunday Times notes that 'The 27-year-old has drawn interest from clubs in Italy, Spain, France, Germany and England, including Newcastle, Manchester City and Everton.'

The People, however, reckon it is Arsenal who 'are in pole position to net the Russian playmaker', while AC Milan and Chelsea are also in the queue, though Milan are outsiders to land him because they cannot offer Champions League football next season.'


SPARKY ABOUT TO GET BUSY
All change at Manchester City. The Sunday Times says that 'Goalkeeper Joe Hart looks to be heading to Tottenham after rejecting a new contract, Richard Dunne has been offered £75,000 a week by Portsmouth and Everton want midfielder Michael Johnson, who is valued at £8m.'

To compensate, new boss Mark Hughes will attempt to sign Bayern Munich forward Lukas Podolski for £20m and Espanyol defender Pablo Zabaleta.


HAREWOOD TO STAY AT VILLA
Striker Marlon Harewood has revealed his desire to stay at Aston Villa - despite attracting interest from a host of clubs.

The former West Ham player was primarily used as a substitute by Martin O'Neill during his first season at Villa Park, although he quickly became a fans' favourite.

And he is understood now to be on the radar of newly promoted Stoke, Fulham and QPR. But Harewood, who has two years remaining of his current contract, is keen to stay and make his mark at Villa.


BRUM REJECT McFADDEN BID
Birmingham have rejected a bid of £5.5million, plus central defender Bobo Balde, for striker James McFadden from Celtic.

City chairman David Gold has insisted Scotland international McFadden is "not for sale".

Celtic fan McFadden pledged his future to Blues when it became clear their relegation from the Barclays Premier League was inevitable. And Birmingham manager Alex McLeish knows keeping the likes of McFadden and Sebastian Larsson is crucial if they are to mount a strong promotion challenge.