Last summer, we heard numerous reports that Ronaldo was to move to Madrid. A deal was in place. It was definite. It was going to happen next week. But then, there was some delay; and the deal would go through the week after that. It never did. No matter for the Spanish press, as they continued to rinse and repeat the story.

Rafa is known to be an admirer

LIVERPOOL have made a cheeky enquiry about Aston Villa's young star James Milner.
Anfield boss Rafa Benitez is a big admirer of the emerging England winger but has received little in the way of encouragement.

Milner cost Villa £12million from Newcastle last August and has three years left on his contract.

One of the Stars of the recent U21 European Championships in Sweden was Italy's Sebastian Giovinco who was the shining light in the Azzuri's failed bid to win the competition. Despite his impressive displays the 22-year-old is widely regarded as the best young prospect in Italy although he is struggling to earn a place in the Juventus side.

Chelsea meet Arsenal at the Emirates.

Two clubs licking their wounds. Nothing materially changes with a result but there are old favourites to play for, like the satisfaction of seeing Ashley Cole's nose caked in mud.

More interesting are the words of advice that Hiddink has for a recalcitrant Wenger.

Arsenal are center of most of today's transfer rumors as The Guardian is reporting that Arsenal are in hot pursuit of West Ham's Matthew Upson. The move will follow Kolo Toure's departure to Manchester City. Wenger is a known admirer of Upson, having previously purchased him in May of 1997 from Luton Town.

Xabi Alonso has agreed a £22million move to Real Madrid in a deal that could see Gabriel Heinze move to Liverpool, according to reports in Spain.
Forget Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka or Franck Ribery, Alonso will be the first 'Galactico' of Florentino Perez's second stint as Bernabeu president, according to Spanish newspaper Sport.

Believe it or not, John Terry was a player I was once an admirer of. I knew that he'd turned us down in favour of Chelsea when he was lad, despite his dad bringing him up a United fan, but kids do stupid things, eh?

Lots of people seemed to see Terry like I did though, which probably contributed to his downfall.

The protracted contract saga involving Daniel Agger's extension rages on. The Dane insists that he will ink a new deal if he receives private assurances from Rafael Benitez that he is a part of the Spaniard's first-team plans.
Agger, despite a set of minor injuries and suspensions at the back this season, has featured only intermittently this campaign and feels his capacity to rule the rearguard - as well as being able to seal a win with a thunderous shot - justifies a place next to Liverpool stalwart Jamie Carragher at the back.

This from The Mirror.

Real thought the deal was virtually done with a £60million offer to AC Milan. But Kaka's father and agent Bosco Leite has now put the move in jeopardy with his list of extra want £10m commission for himself, a £10m signing-on fee for the player, plus a transfer and £1m signing-on fee for Kaka's brother Digao.

Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos is reported to have agreed a switch to Everton.

The Swiss centre-half has slipped down the pecking order at Emirates Stadium in recent times, and spent the 2008/09 season on loan at AC Milan.

Despite the Gunners having offloaded Kolo Toure to Manchester City this summer,Arsene Wenger has moved to snap upThomas Vermaelen from Ajax.

So that should end the speculation, shouldn't it?

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Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has ruled out making a shock move for Sol Campbell.

The signing of Emmanuel Adebayor was finally confirmed this afternoon - interestingly the clubs' twitter account leading the way in confirming he was heading to Manchester to sign.
Clearly Arsenal fans are glad to see the back of him, with us seemingly getting our hands on a player who by comparison made Nicolas Anelka a terrace hero.

Confirmed by the club earlier today.
Mark Hughes on the signing:

"I am delighted to welcome Kolo to Manchester City. It is no secret that we have been looking to strengthen our defence, and in Kolo I feel we have recruited a world class player. He brings a wealth of Premier League experience from his seven seasons with Arsenal," said City boss Mark Hughes.

Youngster targeted by Rafa.

Athletic Bilbao midfielder Javi Martinez remains a target for Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez.

A tall, powerful, hard-working midfielder, Martinez's game is viewed by Benitez as ideal for the rigours of the Premiership.

Despite a disappointing U21 European Championships with Spain, Benitez intends to move for Benitez if Real Madrid meet his asking price for Xabi Alonso.

Could the samba star be set for a La Liga return?

Robinho has left the door open for a possible move from Manchester City during the winter transfer window after admitting he is "happy" at interest shown by Barcelona and insisting that it is "not easy to say no" to the European champions.

A move not worth making.

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Manchester United are to test Sevilla's resolve by bidding for Luis Fabiano in the January transfer window, according to reports in the English press.

The People comments that manager Sir Alex Ferguson is an admirer of the Brazilian, who has the started the campaign in flying form for both club and country, and has decided to offer for the 28-year-old in January, despite him being ineligible for the Champions League.

Arsene Wenger has his sights set on Sunderland captain Lorik Cana as he aims to bring some bite to Arsenal's lightweight midfield. Reports from the Sunderland Echo suggest that Arsenal will do their best to sign the Albanian midfielder when the transfer window opens.

Cana is a new signing at the Stadium of Light having joined the Black Cats over the summer.

Valencia's David Villa has put Manchester United and Liverpool on red alert as he fired his agent, Jose Luis Tamargo. Tamargo has reportedly been sacked for his inability to secure a summer transfer away from Valencia, and Villa has a long list of suitors, including England's giants.

Real Madrid and Barcelona were strongly linked for a move for the 27 year old over the summer following his sensational form for Spain, but with the two Spanish clubs since wrapping up deals for other star strikers (Benzema for Real and Ibrahimovic for Barca), a move to England is on the cards for Villa.

I am not surprised by the comments from Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez towards Manchester United and their manager, Sir Alex Ferguson.
After all, Liverpool had a down-to-the wire battle with Manchester United for English Premiership supremacy, only to fall short in the end. Verbal warfare was ongoing between Benitez and Ferguson since January, and where that should certainly come to an end as the title chase concludes, Benitez refuses to let go.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has attempted to play down the transfer talk linking two of the Spaniard's midfield stars, Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano, with respected moves to Real Madrid and Barcelona, by reminding the press that both players have a number of years left on their contracts.
Alonso and Mascherano have proved a formidable midfield pairing for Liverpool.

Decisions, decisions?

MANCHESTER CITY and Bolton are battling it out to land Sporting Lisbon's Miguel Veloso.
The Portuguese midfielder, 23, has an agreement with Sporting he can leave for a fee of around £15million and has his heart set on a move to the Premier League.

Liverpool have made a cheeky enquiry about Aston Villa's young star James Milner.
Anfield boss Rafa Benitez is a big admirer of the emerging England winger but has received little in the way of encouragement.
Milner cost Villa £12million from Newcastle last August and has three years left on his contract.

Interesting.

Keane was re-signed by Harry Redknapp from Liverpool just nine months ago but once clubs are able to trade again he could be on the move after Celtic started the process of securing his services early.

Tony Mowbray, the Celtic manager, is a huge admirer of Keane's and the striker's affiliations with the Republic of Ireland national team would play well with the club's fans.

Reliable centre back is considering his options.

According to a report in The Daily Mail, English giants Liverpool and German powerhouse Bayern Munich are closely monitoring the situation of Chelsea centre-back Alex.

The strong defender's current deal is due to expire in the summer of 2010, and the 27-year-old reportedly wants a longer deal than the two-year extension offered by the Blues.

Ready for Premier League return?

It's just as well, then, that some clubs prefer players at the other end of their careers. Spurs, for example, who were turned down by Corinthians' Ronaldo this summer, are ready to make a January move for O Fenomeno. Failing that 'Arry Redknapp fancies Manchester City's Benjani or Real's Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Stoke City centre-back Ryan Shawcross has been attracting interest from an elite of Premier League clubs but has publicly reiterated his interest in continuing to kit out for Tony Pulis' Potters, as he could not be guaranteed regular first-team football at a top-four club.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is reportedly an admirer of Shawcross' defensive nous, while Arsenal, Manchester United, Fulham, Everton, and West Ham United have also been linked with a move for the player.

Manchester United's Ryan Giggs has made just 12 Premier League starts this season and yet he still manages to win the PFA Player of the Year award.
Like most fans of English football, I am a big admirer of the Welshman's. To still be playing for one of the biggest club's in the world at the age of 35 is simply outstanding, however I am sure many of you will agree with me when I say, he hasn't been the best player in the Premier League this season.

Liverpool have begun their summer recruitment early this season as they have tested Portsmouth's resolve by offering £2 million for French centre half Sylvain Distin, 31, according to a report in The Times.
Distin, formerly of Manchester City, is wanted by Reds boss Rafael Benitez so that he can fill the void left by departed defender Sami Hyypia, who has joined Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen in search of regular first team football.

Sunderland are planning to pounce for Liverpool's Jermaine Pennant during the close-season, according to a report in the British tabloid The Sun.
The 26-year-old's contract at Anfield is due to expire this summer, so the Mackems will be able to land him on a free-transfer.
The former England Under-21 international fell down the Reds' pecking order last season and was allowed to join Portsmouth on loan in January, however, the south coast club have decided not to make his switch permanent.

Ivan Gazidis spent 14 years working with the MLS. He began as one of the founding management team and became Deputy Commissioner in 2001.

In January 2009 he became the CEO of Arsenal. This is his first interview outside the official website or the mainstream press and I'd like to thank him for his time and the Arsenal Press Office for their co-operation and for their help in making it happen.

Skysports.com understands Liverpool are lining up a move for Inter Milan's Esteban Cambiasso in case they lose either Xabi Alonso or Javier Mascherano.
Reds boss Rafa Benitez is fighting to keep hold of midfield duo Alonso and Mascherano with the pair being strongly linked with moves to Spain.

The Manchester United boss claimed he had attempted to contact Tevez on a number of occasions to persuade him to remain at Old Trafford, but was blanked. But Tevez has now claimed that is not true.

Tevez, who cost the club a fee in the region of £25m, said: "I was there for two years and Sir Alex never called or sent any text messages in that time.

By AriesIt is a fact that Moroccan international and Bordeux striker Marouane Chamakh has made it known that he will welcome a move to the Premier League. "I have good contacts from clubs and the possibility to join a Premier League club. I will take my time because there is some very interesting interest and I have to make the best choice.

Liverpool are ready to reward young defender Daniel Sanchez Ayala with a new deal, skysports.com understands.
Sanchez Ayala joined Liverpool at the start of 2007/08 campaign after being snapped up from Sevilla.
The 18-year-old is highly rated by the Liverpool coaching staff and has established himself as a regular in the reserves in the last couple of seasons.

Manchester City are on the verge of wrapping up a deal for Arsenal defender Kolo Toure. Arsenal would land a transfer fee in the region of £15 million as Mark Hughes continues the rebuilding of City.

Kolo Toure officially submitted a transfer request last January, but Arsene Wenger insisted that the defender stay at the Emirates.

Bundesliga champions Wolfsburg have agreed a fee for Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins. The Nigerian was left out of Newcastle's friendly tonight against Leeds, sparking a furore over his future.

The fee for Newcastle's remaining biggest star is rumored to be in the region of £9 million.

Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani has spoken of his pride at wearing the same colours as Steven Gerrard.
Aquilani was presented to the media today after arriving from Roma for a fee reported to be about £15million.
He was keen to point out he is a long-term admirer of Gerrard's qualities.

Seems like a clever move to me.

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Arsenal are considering making an £8million bid for Newcastle defender Steven Taylor.

However, Everton are also in the running and are understood to have opened negotiations with the Championship club in an attempt to secure a replacement for Joleon Lescott, who is a still a target for Manchester City.

How much!

Benfica have increased their buy-out clause to 50million euros for coveted Argentinian forward Angel Di Maria.

The 21-year-old moved to Portugal in 2007 from Rosario Central and has attracted considerable attention since, not least as he scored the winner in the 2008 Olympic final against Nigeria.

Redknapp wishes he had got his man.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has revealed his regret at failing to sign Inter Milan midfielder Patrick Vieira.
Redknapp is a keen admirer of the former Arsenal captain and although such a move would not come without controversy, he nonetheless tried to bring him to White Hart Lane in the summer.