Football transfer gossip - July 8 

Football transfer gossip - July 8

Ronaldo's dream move to Madrid may be off, Crouch moves closer to Pompey and Frank Lampard could be swapping Chelsea for Milan.

Ron's Real move off?

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon all but conceded defeat on Tuesday by saying that Cristiano Ronaldo's suspected move to the La Liga club is OFF.

The ankle surgery Ronaldo underwent on Tuesday may see him sidelined for up to six weeks and out for the beginning of the Premier League season.

Although Real still want the star winger at the Bernabeu, Calderon has said the world's biggest transfer may now have to wait until next season. (Daily Mirror)

Crouch close to Pompey return

Peter Crouch's exit from Anfield moved a step closer on Tuesday with the lanky striker given permission to undergo a medical at Portsmouth.

Liverpool have accepted an 8m pound offer from Pompey that could rise to 11m, with potential add-ons throughout the course of Crouch's contract at the club. (Liverpool Echo)

Barry bore goes on

There is no letting up in the Gareth Barry saga as Anfield boss Rafa Benitez is said to have offered Liverpool defender Steve Finnan plus 15m pounds in the hopes of tempting Villa boss Martin O'Neil to part with the midfielder. (Various)

Xabi too much for Juv

Xabi Alonso's move to Juventus may be off as the Italian club are unwilling to pay Liverpool's 16m price tag for the midfielder. (BBC sport)

Lampard bid confirmed

Inter Milan's pursuit of Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has moved up a gear with the Serie A club said to have opened negotiations with to the club in the hopes of reuniting Lampard with former boss Jose Mourinho.

Milan's initial offer is said to be in the region of 6.5m pounds but if Lampard plays out the one year left on his contract as expected by Chelsea, he could go for free next summer( BBC Sport)

Italian giants to do battle over Premier Stars

Jose Mourinho may have Chelsea's Didier Drogba, who made clear his desire to the leave the Blues since the Special One's departure, in his sights but has a battle on his hands as rivals AC Milan have confirmed their interested in the Ivorian international - the Serie A club have also confirmed they are chasing Arsenal's Emmanuel Adebayor. (Daily Mirror)

Arsenal and Man United in Huntelaar bid

Arsenal have said they do not want to sell Adebayor but if he does move, the Gunners will try to sign Blackburn's Roque Santa Cruz (Daily Mail).

The London club are also said to be preparing an 18m bid for Ajax' Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (News of the World) but may have some competition as Manchester United are also said to be interested in the goal-ace. (Sky Sports)

Milan downplay Kaka move

AC Milan have also downplayed rumors that Kaka will be heading to the Premier League, with technical director Leonardo saying the club have not received an official bid for the player despite the 50m pound offer being touted. (Daily Mirror)

No hurry for Ballack

Euro 2008 runner-up Michael Ballack has insisted he is in no hurry to re-sign at Chelsea even though he has just one year left on his contract. The midfielder says he has plenty of time to consider his future prompting speculation that Chelsea may not be the 31-year-old German internationals last club. (Daily Express)

Arshavin Barca bid on hold

Zent St Petersburg have ended talks with Barcelona over the future of Andrei Arshavin after the Russian club turned down a 15 million euro bid for the Euro 2008 star.

Contrary to recent rumours the club also said they have received no other offers for the playmaker and have given him two-weeks to decide his future. (The Guardian)

Ronaldinho turn's down City

Barcelona's Ronaldinho has turned down a move to Manchester City, despite a reported 200,000 pound a week salary offer in favour of a move to AC Milan (Various)

Other news

Australian midfielder Harry Kewell has issued an open letter to Leeds supporters defending his decision to join Turkish side Galatasaray.

Kewell's move to the side from Liverpool FC has attracted fierce criticism from Leeds supporters because he was part of the Elland Road side when two of the clubs supporters were stabbed to death prior to a UEFA Cup semi-final against Galatasaray in April 2000. (Sky sports)

Newcastle fans have reacted in disgust after learning relatives of Osama Bin Laden are among the front-runners to buy their club. The Bin Laden's, who own a Saudi building firm, are said to bid 300m for the Premier League side. (BBC Sport)

Everton FC has offered support to Joseph Yobo after his brother was kidnapped in Nigeria. The Merseyside club has granted the defender a late return for the foreseeable future. (Telegraph)