Good morning folks. It is the day before the European Championships are set to begin and there is plenty of news to get through. Here are some of the top news stories from this morning and yesterday, including what is arguably the biggest story of the year.
Ronaldo to Real Madrid imminent?
Is the above picture of Cristiano Ronaldo bidding farewell to Manchester United? The world’s best player just might be ready to leave for Real Madrid. At least that’s what reports are saying in Europe today. A day after Ronaldo was quoted on a Brazilian website saying the following:
"I would like to play for Real Madrid, but only if it is true they are ready to pay what Manchester United ask of them. However, it does not depend on me."
Insane, isn’t it?
Not so much that Real Madrid could pull this off, but the possibility that Ronaldo, so synonymous with Manchester United, could leave the club just weeks after winning the Champions League final with the Red Devils.
So how much will he cost? Reports put a potential transfer fee in the $157 million range, with some reports suggesting that Real will offer a package of Robinho and Sergio Ramos, along with cash (yes, sounds insane). The more mind-boggling number is Ronaldo’s reported salary if he moves to Real Madrid. Try $30 million a year.
Tottenham lands Dos Santos
Mexican star Giovani Dos Santos has been sold to Tottenham by Barcelona for $9.4 million, a transfer fee that could rise to $17 million if Dos Santos meets certain performance levels.
Talk about an impressive transfer season for Tottenham, which landed Croatian playmaker Luca Modric last month. Now if Juande Ramos can land a top-flight goalkeeper we might have to start taking Tottenham seriously as a contender to challenge the EPL’s Big Four.
Manchester clubs to battle for Roque
Paraguayan striker Roque Santa Cruz enjoyed an impressive first season in the EPL, scoring 23 goals for Blackburn. It looks like that one season will be his only one with Rovers as Manchester United and Manchester City prepare to battle for Cruz’s services.
City just hired former Blackburn manager Mark Hughes, which could help the Citizens have a chance to land Cruz, though the allure of joining the European champions may be too tough to pass up.
More to come….