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Solid as a Roque: Man City's new signing Santa Cruz can't wait to face Blackburn boo boys - Source: Reuters -
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Benzema snubs United in favour of Real
France international Karim Benzema has snubbed joining Premier League champions Manchester United in favour of linking up with Ronaldo and Kaka at Real Madrid.
The 21-year-old will become Real's third major signing of the summer, and will sign a six-year deal IF he passes the medical for a transfer fee, reported to be in the region of 41 million euros.
United boss Alex Ferguson will be fuming with the deal, after making it clear Benzema was one of his No.1 targets after losing Ronaldo and Tevez.
Speaking after the announcement Lyon coach Claude Puel said: "We needed to make a quick decision and we decided to let Karim go where he wanted." (Reuters)
Ancelotti to push Pato bid
New Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has reportedly delayed his arrival at the club in order to push through the signing of much-wanted Brazil star Alexandre Pato.
The Sun is reporting that AC Milan are expected to meet Chelsea officials in the next 24 hours to broker a deal.
Chelsea have already had an offer of 31 million turned down for Milan's teen striker, with sources saying the Blues will have to reach a figure of 40 million to land the Brazil player who Ancelotti is DESPERATE to land before pre-season training starts on Monday. (The Sun)
Chelsea STILL want Ribery
Chelsea are set to make ONE MORE attempt to persuade Bayern Munich star Franck Ribery to join the London club.
Bayern still maintain that 45 million pound rated Ribery will stay in the Bundesliga, but new Chelsea boss Carlos Ancelotti is refusing to concede defeat.
Middlesbrough keeper Ross Turnbull and Manchester City striker Daniel Sturridge will also join Chelsea in the coming days, but Ancelotti is also working on deals for some of the existing squad with
Florent Malouda set to sign a new contract next week and injured Joe Cole also close to signing an extension. (The Daily Mail)
Milan edge closer to Adebayor
AC Milan meanwhile are reported to be edging closer to signing Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor, who is expected to cost the club around 17 million pounds. (The Sun)
BUT, Milan are also reported to be targeting Pompey striker
Peter Crouch as the Italian giant's pursuit of Edin Dzeko and
Adebayor have come across problems. (BBC Sport)
Gallas on Mourinho's radar
Arsenal's William Gallas is still a major transfer target for former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho at Inter Milan.
Gallas is also reported to be wanted by former club Marseille, Paris St Germain and Lyon, but it is thought the exciting prospect of joining Serie A champions Inter Milan could prove tempting for the 32-year-old.
Gallas' future at Arsenal has been the subject of intense speculation since his critical comments about some of his Arsenal team-mates were made public last November. (The Daily Express)
Barton on borrowed time
Newcastle's troubled midfielder Joey Barton has been told his stay with the Magpies is one of execution.
Barton reported for pre-season training on Wednesday after being banned by carer-taker manager Alan Shearer following a furious dressing-room bust up at Liverpool at the end of the season.
Shearer is the man all three groups trying to buy Newcastle want as boss and it is reported he will get rid of Barton as soon as he is confirmed as having the job. (The Daily Express)
Vieira given final Birmingham offer
Former Arsenal great Patrick Vieira has been given a FINAL 100,000k-a-week offer by Birmingham.
The Brummies are reportedly willing to pay the aging star 5.2 million pounds a year, but Vieira is said to be reluctant to move to St Andrews, having already failed in two attempts to land the Inter Milan midfielder. (The Sun)
Benitez boosts transfer kitty
As reported in Friday's Football Transfer Gossip, Liverpool have boosted their transfer kitty by selling Argentine Sebastian Leto to Panathanaikos.
Leto, who was on loan to Greek rival Olympiakos last season after trouble with his work permit prevented him playing in England, is the Athens club's fourth summer recruit.
He will join former Liverpool star Djibril Cisse at the club.
BUT Benitez still has a battle on his hands keeping hold of Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano.
Juventus have denied they are back in the race to sign Alonso, who they pursued last summer.
But Real have confirmed their interest and are looking at a double raid for the Spanish ace and Arbeloa.
Barcelona are also ready to weigh in with a ý25m bid for Mascherano which would leave a huge hole in Rafa's midfield.
BUT Benitez is confident of beating off competition from a host of European clubs to sign brilliant teenage Sevilla winger, Luis Alberto. (The Sun)
Villa interested in Downing
Aston Villa have inquired about Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing.
The move could be complicated with Downing not due for a football from a foot injury until October, but O'Neil's Villa could look to bring him in on a loan deal with view to a permanent move.
Downing is also a long-term target of Tottenham, but recently relegated Boro are desperate for some much needed cash, sure to come in from the sale of the England international. (The Daily Mail
City say NO to waiting on Eto'o
Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has warned Samuel Eto'o that he cannot wait all summer for the Barcelona striker to make up his mind where he wants to play next season.
Hughes confirmed that the Premier League side had bid for the 25 million-rated Cameroon international but the forward remained undecided over his future after being offered a new two-year deal by Barcelona.
The City manager said he would exercise as much patience as needed to take Eto'o to Eastlands but said he would walk away if the situation dragged on and he felt he could not take it forward. (Reuters)
City in Lescott fear
Manchester City boss Mark Hughes is worried he will be priced out of the market for Everton's Joleon Lescott.
Lescott has emerged as Hughes' top defensive target - but the City boss is facing a battle to prise him away from Goodison Park where David Moyes has slapped a 20 million pound price-tag on the England centre-half.
The possibility of a massive wage increase at City could interest Lescott, but Sparky is reported to only want to pay up to 15 million for the Toffees star, but COULD include Micah Richards and/or Jo as part of the deal. (The Daily Star)
Santa looking forward to Blackburn boo boys
Former Blackburn star Roque Santa Cruz is looking forward to facing Blackburn's hate mob on the opening day of the season - AND scoring against his old club.
The Paraguay international, who was unveiled as a Manchester City player by Mark Hughes on Wednesday, has completed his 18 million pound move to City and can't wait to get stuck in.
"I'm sure the fans will be quite hard on me because of everything that surrounded the transfer. I'm sure there will be a lot of people disappointed with my move," Santa Cruz said.
"But I would still love to score in that game because it would be my first for City and every goal deserves to be celebrated." (The Sun)
Vidic reveals Euro club offers
Man United star Nemanja Vidic has revealed he has received offers from AC Milan, Real Madrid AND Barcelona - but will spurn all their advances to stay at Man U.
The Serbian star has established himself as one of the continent's finest defenders since moving to Old Trafford and his domineering presence at the heart of United's backline has not gone unnoticed.
A trio of Europe's top clubs are keen on the 27-year-old but although Vidic concedes his wife is unhappy in Manchester, he is adamant he will see out his contract that runs until 2012. (Sky Sports)
And finally
Becks in underage drinking drama
A bungling American waiter refused to serve David Beckham booze as he thought the 34-year-old football superstar was TOO YOUNG!
The embarrassing incident happened when the waiter failed to recognise the former England skipper and Galaxy star when he was out dining with his LA team-mates.
The waiter asked Becks, 34, for some ID but the bemused player did not have any, so the waiter took his wine glass away saying:
"No ID ... no wine," as the footballer's team mates collapsed in hysterics.
Beckham's bodyguard tried to explain the situation to the waiter at Morton's steakhouse in Arlington, near Washington.
"I don't care who they are," the waiter growled before
reluctantly giving Becks his glass back. (The Daily Star)
