Football Update

Manchester United and Liverpool are to test the resolve of Valencia and launch a bid for their star player David Villa, according to a report in The Independent.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is keen to partner Villa with Spanish international team-mate Fernando Torres, and is planning to Invest the money gained by selling Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid by bringing the forward to Anfield.

Sir Alex Ferguson, for his part, had claimed his summer spending was over but has apparently reconsidered, believing his squad may be exposed should Michael Owen pick up an injury this season.

The Red Devils are planning to discuss a potential deal with Valencia before the two sides meet for a friendly on Wednesday. It is believed a bid of £25 million could tempt Los Che to sell their prime asset.

It is reported that Ferguson is also interested in acquiring creative midfielder David Silva from Valencia.

If Liverpool miss out on Villa, they will then switch their attentions to firming up their interest in Roma's Alberto Aquilani.

Real Madrid have protected themselves in the event of Cristiano Ronaldo suffering a serious injury by insuring the Portuguese superstars’ legs for the grandiose sum of €100m.

Sunday newspaper The World reports that the former Manchester United man, who became a record signing following his €94m switch to the Bernabeu, has been given unique treatment in keeping with his importance to the side, and that Los Blancos acted quickly to ensure that they would be compensated in the event of Ronaldo being unable to play.

The 24-year old recently picked up a knock and the injury to his knee was quickly assessed by club doctors, who gave the player the all-clear.

Ronaldo’s purchase came as part of an unprecedented summer of spending by the Spanish club, which has also included the acquisitions of Kaka, Karim Benzema and Raul Albiol.

However, it has been the arrival of Ronaldo that has been most celebrated by the clubs’ followers, and Los Merengues have now acted to ensure their investment is suitably protected.

Real madrid have agreed a deal to transfer Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder to Italian side Inter according to reports from Italy.

La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that an initial loan deal has been agreed between the two clubs, with the Spanish side receiving €4m, with the Serie A champions having an option to make the transfer permanent for a fee of €18m.

Sneijder’s future at the Bernabeu has been in doubt since the return of Florentino Perez and his array of new signings, and the player himself has expressed his displeasure at his clubs exuberant spending, forcing him further down the pecking order.

A number of European sides are thought to have been interested in the 25-year old, but it is thought that Jose Mourinho has swooped to land the former Ajax man.

Sneijder joined Real Madrid in 2007 for a fee of €27m, and helped Los Blancos retain their La Liga crown, but toiled last season as his side were overshadowed by Barcelona’s imperious treble-winning campaign.

It is believed that the player must now agree terms with Inter in order to conclude the deal, and the transfer could be concluded in the next few days.

Paul Macdonald

Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso is today reported as having handed in an official transfer request to his club, as his proposed switch to Real Madrid edges closer to becoming a reality.

High-profile Spanish journalist Guillem Balague has told Sky Sports News today that the Spanish giants are once again talking to the Reds about the transfer, though there is a significant disparity between each club's valuation of the player.

"Real Madrid and Liverpool are talking about the future of the player," Balague said. "There's been an offer made by Real Madrid of €25 million which, funnily enough, is inferior to the offer made about three weeks ago, the last time they talked when there was a fax with an offer of €27 million.

"Now it's 25, and Liverpool are asking for €35 million, plus five (million). So there is still a big difference between what Real Madrid are offering and what Liverpool want.

"But the news is both clubs are talking for the first time in three weeks."

Balague also intimated that the process of the move was likely to be quick, with Liverpool in particular wanting the matter resolved as soon as possible. Now that Los Blancos have concluded the deal taking Gabriel Henize to Olympique de Marseille, they will begin to move with more alacrity regrading Alonso, the reporter feels.

Zack Wilson

Premier League champions Manchester United are set to re-ignite their interest in Argentine wonder kid Sergio Aguero, and reports suggest that they will test Atletico Madrid resolve with a substantial bid.

The 21-year old had another successful season in La Liga with Los Colchoneros, partnering Diego Forlan in attack for the Champions League qualifiers, and has been previously been linked with a move to Real Madrid.

The English side have cash to burn following Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure, and The Sunday Express comments that Sir Alex Ferguson will look to the young striker as he builds his side for defending their league crown.

A bid of around €41m is expected from Old Trafford, despite Atletico frequently insisting that Aguero is not for sale at any price, but Ferguson sees Aguero as a direct replacement to Carlos Tevez and wants to boost his striking options.

The Red Devils are also interested in Valencia winger David Silva, who has also been linked with rivals Liverpool, and it is believed that an offer of around €29m would be sufficient to commence negotiations with Los Che over a possible transfer.

Paul Macdonald

The Ukrainian hit-man is on his way out from Stamford Bridge and he has long been linked with a return to the Rossoneri. Initially the move didn’t want to take off but some pushing and shoving by Milan chief Silvio Berlusconi seems to have moved negotiations through. Ramaccioni is confident of Sheva’s return and he reveals it will be sooner rather than later. “We are close to the end of the deal,” the director told Radio Goal. “I hope these little things that have to be done are done as soon as possible.” Sheva has never managed to light up the Premier League since his £30m move there in 2006. The striker has always wanted to return to his old side, and he fuelled speculation of a move back to San Siro by meeting up with the team during their Champions League match last season against Arsenal. He also wined and dined with Carlo Ancelotti in the Russian Railways Cup. Milan have already made some great additions up front with Ronaldinho’s arrival. Shevchenko’s return is likely to propel the team towards the Scudetto this term.

Salvatore Landolina

The Memory

The Sun exclusively snapped the Bulgarian hitman scribbling his signature on a Red Devils shirt proffered to him by a fan at the Sofia Airport. Berbatov has been itching for a move to Old Trafford over the last few weeks, as he is desperate to play in the Champions League once more. And while Spurs and United are deep in negotiations, a disagreement over the transfer fee means the deal remains incomplete. The 27-year-old recently attempted to quash speculation that his desire to leave was causing problems at White Hart Lane, insisting he had behaved professionally and above board despite his wish to move on. Lilywhites fans remained doubtful regarding Berbatov's commitment to the club, however, and this latest development will surely complete his transformation from hero to villain. Spurs legend Jimmy Greaves said: “Signing the United shirt is certainly cheeky. “He clearly wants to leave. If he doesn’t want to stay they should get rid of him.”

Following the departure of Gilberto Silva, Aliaksandr Hleb and Mathieu Flamini, Arsenal’s priority in the summer transfer market had been to sign a top quality centre midfielder.

So far manager Arsene Wenger has not brought in any replacements, and their narrow 1-0 win over newly promoted West Bromwich Albion on Saturday suggested that the Gunners are lacking a bit punch in the middle-of-the-park.

Arsenal have been linked to Aston Villa's Gareth Barry, Xabi Alonso of Liverpool and Yaya Toure, brother of Arsenal defender Kolo, but with all these players now cup-tied from Europe, it appears unlikely that any will be arriving in North London.

According to the Daily Mail, Wenger could now be set to make one big last effort to sign Udinese midfielder Inler before the end of the transfer window on September 1.

The 24-year-old has seen his stock rise over the past 12 months after a superb debut season in Serie A, following his transfer from FC Zurich.

Inler, who has been also been associated with a move to Liverpool, Juventus and Inter, is valued at €10m..

The classy schemer has stated on a number of occasions that he wants to stay at Udinese, but it remains to be seen whether or not he can resist a move to England, should an offer be forthcoming.

Marca wrote in glowing terms of Calderón's recent actions, stating that the 'presi' "has been steadfast at all times and has not yielded to the claims of the English club," namely Chelsea. It is thought that Madrid were for a time under pressure from Robinho's agent, Wagner Ribeiro, to accept the megabucks offer from Chelsea for their star winger. Indeed, Robinho was described as being unhappy at the club after being allegedly used as a bargaining chip during the Cristiano Ronaldo saga, and his being kept back from the Olympic Games merely cemented his sour mood. However it is thought that the promise of a new contract at Madrid has persuaded the ex-Santos man to stay at the club, especially given that Calderón is said to be playing hardball with Abramovich, who is sweating over the prospect of having to break the €40m barrier for a last-ditch attempt at signing Robinho - one that looks increasingly unlikely. Despite this positive report, though, Calderón has still been quieter than usual recently. It is thought that he is wounded by the failure to land Cristiano Ronaldo, not to mention earlier reports of unrest surrounding Robinho. That Marca is reporting that the winger's situation is now resolved, though, may signal a return to the public eye for the president, although if Wagner Ribeiro again surfaces to report his client's thoughts then Calderón could again be placed under pressure. While Marca writes in glowing terms, of course, one must remember that Calderón has not gone uncriticised by others this summer.

Steve Michaels, Goal.coma

This Why Chelsea want robinho....?