McLeish reiterates Ferguson interest

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish has reiterated his interest in Rangers' Barry Ferguson, but insists he also has other summer transfer targets.

The Blues boss has enquired about the availability of the midfielder, who he worked with at Ibrox and with Scotland, as he plots reinforcements for his squad ahead of next season in the Premier League.

Ferguson is expected to leave Glasgow this summer after being fined and stripped of the club captaincy in April following a breach of discipline while representing Scotland.

Rangers are also understood to be keen to raise funds and, with the 31-year-old former Blackburn player in the final 12 months of his contract, could be prepared to listen to an offer from Birmingham.

"Barry is definitely someone that we have given consideration to, amongst others," McLeish told Sky Sports News.

"I don't want to commit myself right away to the midfield situation because there is still a wee bit to go, a little bit of work to be done."

He added: "We hope to bring in a midfielder of real quality, who can go anywhere in the league and not be fazed by taking the ball."

McLeish, who recently denied allegations of a disagreement with the St Andrews board over the signing of Giovanny Espinoza, initially admitted approaching Rangers regarding Ferguson earlier in June.

But the Scot has now hinted that the SPL champions have indicated they are prepared to sell one of their most experienced players, despite the fact that they will participate in the Champions League this season.

McLeish, though, is adamant Ferguson is not the only player he is monitoring as he bids to bolster his midfield options.

"You never know," said McLeish when answering additional questions regarding Ferguson's possible arrival.

"Maybe I could target a couple, Ferguson could be one.

"We have others in the pipeline that we have been working hard on. Ferguson has come late in the day in terms of knowing that he is now available.

"But we are not making our mind up right now."

OFFICIAL: Cristiano Ronaldo Signs Six-Year Deal At Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Real Madrid from Manchester United has this evening been confirmed by clubs' official websites, with the player signing a six-year contract at the Bernabeu.

The deal is set to be completed on July 1, with United having accepted a bid of £80 million (93 million Euros) on June 10.

A statement on los Blancos' official website reads:

"Real Madrid CF and Manchester United have confirmed a definitive agreement for the transfer of the player Cristiano Ronaldo, to take place on July 1.

"The player will be tied to Real Madrid for the next six seasons and will be presented on the 6th of July at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium."

According to Sky Sports, the whole of the fee will be paid, unusually in the modern era, in one instalment on July 1, which was apparently a pre-condition to the deal set by United.

The Mancunians have made no official statement on the deal, preferring to remain tight-lipped about the world record breaking transfer, on a day when it was confirmed that Carlos Tevez would also definitely be leaving, with Manchester City now all but confirmed in English sources as his likely destination over Chelsea.

Real fans can now look forward to seeing Ronaldo link up with Brazilian superstar Kaka in a truly mouth-watering forward line, with further additions to the squad not ruled out.

Zack Wilson, Goal.com

Manchester United And Real Madrid To Launch Bidding War For Benzema - Report

Real Madrid and Manchester United could be involved in another transfer showdown, this time over Karim Benzema.

According to the Daily Mail, both clubs are desperate to sign the French international, having given up on their other targets. Zinedine Zidane is at the forefront of Madrid's push, although their extravagant spending in the Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo deals means that they will not be paying over the odds.

Sir Alex Ferguson, meanwhile, has asked Lyon to name a realistic price for the player. According to the Daily Star, Manchester United are preparing a bid of around €30 million, a deal which Lyon president Jean Michel Aulas is keen to accept, with a move for Lisandro Lopez already in the pipeline.

It remains to be seen whether Real Madrid will consider improving on Man United's offer.

Arjun Miglani

Brazil Coach Dunga: The Best Two Teams In The Confederations Cup Are In The Final

Brazil may be clear favourites to lift the 2009 Confederations Cup in Sunday's final against the United States in Johannesburg but coach Dunga is not taking victory for granted.

The 45 year-old, who saw his players defeat the USA 3-0 in the group stage of the competition, is suddenly wary of Bob Bradley's men.

The Americans shocked the football world by defeating European champions Spain 2-0 in the semi-final on Wednesday in Bloemfontein and approach the match full of confidence.

Dunga is not about to underestimate the opposition.

“We are anxious as the game approaches which is normal. The two best teams are in the final, they have been the most efficient and they deserve to be in the final,” Dunga told a press conference at Ellis Park Stadium, the venue for the final.

“The US are tactically very strong and dangerous on the counter-attack and raise a lot of difficulties. They are complicated adversaries.”

“They beat Spain, considered the favourites as the world number one team, In order to beat Spain, you have to have ability and you have to have merit and the US showed they had those things and more."

The World Cup winning-captain told the press that the earlier win in Pretoria will have little bearing on what happens on Sunday.

“We will have to be patient; we would like to score as early as possible. The game before was one thing, tomorrow will be different. The US will be more confident and we will try and play our normal rhythm keep possession as much as possible.”

John Duerden

Johannesburg, South Africa

Brazil Coach Dunga: The Best Two Teams In The Confederations Cup Are In The Final

Brazil may be clear favourites to lift the 2009 Confederations Cup in Sunday's final against the United States in Johannesburg but coach Dunga is not taking victory for granted.

The 45 year-old, who saw his players defeat the USA 3-0 in the group stage of the competition, is suddenly wary of Bob Bradley's men.

The Americans shocked the football world by defeating European champions Spain 2-0 in the semi-final on Wednesday in Bloemfontein and approach the match full of confidence.

Dunga is not about to underestimate the opposition.

“We are anxious as the game approaches which is normal. The two best teams are in the final, they have been the most efficient and they deserve to be in the final,” Dunga told a press conference at Ellis Park Stadium, the venue for the final.

“The US are tactically very strong and dangerous on the counter-attack and raise a lot of difficulties. They are complicated adversaries.”

“They beat Spain, considered the favourites as the world number one team, In order to beat Spain, you have to have ability and you have to have merit and the US showed they had those things and more."

The World Cup winning-captain told the press that the earlier win in Pretoria will have little bearing on what happens on Sunday.

“We will have to be patient; we would like to score as early as possible. The game before was one thing, tomorrow will be different. The US will be more confident and we will try and play our normal rhythm keep possession as much as possible.”

John Duerden

Johannesburg, South Africa

Gerard Pique Believes Arsenal Star Fabregas Will End Up At Barcelona Eventually

The giant defender is convinced that Cesc will return to his old stomping ground one way or another.

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique believes that Francesc Fabregas will move to the Camp Nou at some stage in his career.

There have been wild rumours circulating recently involving Fabregas and possible links to Real Madrid and Milan, but the Arsenal captain has moved swiftly to quash all speculation.

The playmaker has continued to pledge his future to the Gunners but Barcelona defender Pique believes that it’s only a matter of time before the former Blaugrana canterano ends up back at the Camp Nou.

“I do not think that Cesc will join Madrid. In football, you can never say that something is impossible, but I can’t see him signing for Madrid,” he said in an interview with Sport.

“I believe that one day, we will be playing together. I’ve always said that Cesc will one day end up back in the Barca shirt. He doesn’t want to admit it, but I always tell him the same thing.”

The 22-year-old treble winner was then asked if Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was ever regretful for letting him go.

“I do not want to think about it and I don’t believe it’s something that’s on his mind either,” he replied.

“It was a mutual decision by both parties as we decided that the best thing was for me to leave. And I thought so too.

“I am grateful to him and I will always be grateful because it gave me the opportunity to return to Barca.”

Finally, Pique admitted that he always knew bitter rivals Real Madrid would spend lavishly this summer following a disappointing campaign last term.

“It was expected. The big teams always have the pressure to win titles and when you go for even a year without silverware, as is Madrid’s case, you need to bring in great players,” he explained.

“They have decided to sign players like Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo but that will be fantastic for La Liga. We will have the strongest league once again.”

KS Leong

Manchester United Prepare Enormous Bid For Valencia's David Villa - Report 'El Guaje' may not want to leave La Liga, but that won't stop Man United fr

Manchester United are preparing a mammoth bid to land David Villa, despite the striker's insistence that he does not want to leave Spain.

According to AS, United are ready to offer €47 million for the player, a bid surely too good for Valencia to refuse. Should they accept, that would allow United to try and change Villa's mind.

Indeed, Sir Alex Ferguson has instructed the board not to spare any expense in trying to sign Villa, indicating that even higher bids could be on their way.

Having received €94m from Real Madrid for Cristiano Ronaldo, Man United are desperate to land a forward to replace both the Portuguese and Carlos Tevez.

Villa is still rumoured to be on the verge of signing for Barcelona, but they do not have the cash to match this bid. Meanwhile, United are also pursuing Karim Benzema with intent.

Arjun Miglani

Milan Have Called Arsenal For Adebayor - Adriano Galliani

Milan vice president Adriano Galliani has confirmed he has spoken to Arsenal over signing Emmanuel Adebayor...

27 Jun 2009

Adriano Galliani - Milan (Grazia Neri)

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Milan vice president Adriano Galliani has underlined the club's intention with regards to signing Emmanuel Adebayor from Arsenal.

Galliani revealed on Thursday that Edin Dzeko was still first choice, but he hinted at turning his hand to the Togo international. Milan are waiting for Wolfsburg to make a decision on Dzeko, but they are clearly not prepared to wait all summer as Galliani makes early contact with the Gunners.

The chief has revealed he has spoken with the North London club over the possibility of signing the hitman. Adebayor has constantly been linked with the Rossoneri and it seems they are now set to take their interest further. The next step will be to make a bid as Galliani opens up the possibilities of signing alternatives.

"Adebayor is the alternative to Edin Dzeko and I have called Arsenal to inform them of our interest," Galliani told Sky Sport Italia.

"I Spoke to Arsene Wenger and Adebayor was part of the conversation."

Galliani did not reveal he had made an offer to the club, but Sky Sport Italia are speculating that figures were mentioned during the call between the Milan chief and the London-based club. Furthermore, the Italian sports news channel claims Arsenal are willing to sell Adebayor to the Rossoneri following the chief's revelations.

According to reports, Dzeko is due to have a meeting with Wolfsburg over joining Milan today, but the Rossoneri have other plans if they fail to land the Bosnian from the German champions.

Salvatore Landolina

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