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Mid-Day Ticker: PSG rule out Ronaldo, Owen signs with Stoke City and more

Ronaldo (Getty Images)

Cristiano Ronaldo's reported sadness with his situation at Real Madrid won't be leading to a shock move to Paris this week.

Paris St-Germain sporting director Leonardo ruled out a major swoop for Ronaldo prior to Wednesday's close of France's transfer window. The speculation was sparked by Ronaldo's comments over the weekend that he was unhappy with his professional situation, and big-spending PSG became a likely destination considering what they are capable of spending.

PSG already spent millions this summer while adding the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Thiago Silva and Gregory van der Wiel (and agreeing to a precontract with rising Brazilian star Lucas Moura), but the moves have not translated into results just yet, as the club as struggled to a 1-0-3 start in Ligue 1 play.

Here are a few more stories to keep your day going:

OWEN SIGNS WITH STOKE CITY

Geoff Cameron and Maurice Edu have a new teammate: Veteran forward Michael Owen. 

A free agent, the 32-year-old Owen reportedly signed a one-year deal with Stoke City Tuesday as he attempts to resurrect a career that has been beset by injuries. Owen, a former standout at Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle and Manchester United, was cut loose by the Red Devils after last season and has been out of contract, which permits him to sign outside of the transfer window. Liverpool had reportedly been in the mix for a reunion between the two before manager Brendan Rodgers turned down the option.

Owen made just four appearances for Manchester United last season in all competitions. 

INDONESIAN STAR REPORTEDLY TO TRIAL WITH DCU

Considering new D.C. United investor Erick Thohir's connections to soccer in Asia it was only a matter of time before a link between the two was made.

According to reports out of Thohir's native country Indonesia, Andik Vermansyah, a 20-year-old Under-21 Indonesian national team striker, is going to be training with D.C. United after he arrives in the United States later this week. Vermansyah, referred to as the "Indonesian Lionel Messi," has been linked to transfers to top European clubs in the past, and his other tie-in to MLS is that he exchanged jerseys with David Beckham following a 2011 winter friendly between the Los Angeles Galaxy and an Indonesian national selection. 

DIARRA COMPLETES ANZHI DEAL

The list of big names heading to Russia's top flight grew by one with the completion of Anzhi Makhachkala's signing of former Real Madrid midfielder Lassana Diarra.

Diarra signed a four-year deal with the club after spending the last four-plus seasons with Madrid. He had started Madrid's first two league games of this season.

After the likes of Samuel Eto'o, Yuri Zhirkov and Christopher Samba headed north to join Anzhi last year, Hulk and Axel Witsel joined Zenit-St Petersburg on Monday in a shock double transfer that makes the club an intriguing entrant in this year's UEFA Champions League.

Anzhi is in the UEFA Europa League after routing AZ Alkmaar in the final qualifying round last week.

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Do you think Ronaldo will actually depart Real Madrid anytime soon? Do you think Owen still has what it takes to make a difference in the Premier League? What do you make of D.C. United's new trialist? What's your take on all of the talent heading to Russia?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player of our generation; you will all regret hating him and not watching the greatness that is CR7 much like many regret hating on Michael Jordan through his career.

    Reply
  2. My thing with him and Dempsey is we weren’t hearing this when Fulham was in the Europa final and Madrid was the flavor du jour.

    And while PSG surely hands out nice paychecks (as does Zenit it sounds like), that doesn’t mean the team’s all that good. I look down the roster and think, so what? Not really that good a team and the table reflects it. Better off staying put given those two choices.

    Reply
  3. That about sums it up. And I’ve heard him refer to himself in the third person. Unless your name is Muhammad Ali, you’ve no right to do that.

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  4. It is still open for about another week in a couple of countries like France and Turkey. That is why Raul Mierlas was able to transfer from Chelsea to Fenerbache today.

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  5. Where would Ronaldo go? If not to a big money team like PSG he would need to go to Italy and while he could play there it would seem like a possble step down(not much of one) from playing in England or Spain. France would be the same but PSG is spending a lot of money so that might draw him away. Is there a team that he would go to in England again?

    Reply
  6. Unrelated topic:

    I was perusing a usual soccer website that sells gear and I came across a Tottenham/Dempsey kit that has his old #2.

    Is it confirmed that’s his number for Spurs?

    Reply
  7. I’ve never watched the Russian premier league much, but with the teams Zenit, Anzhi and CSKA have put together, I might need to try.

    Reply

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