As it looks likelier and likelier Cristiano Ronaldo is planted firmly at Real Madrid, his compatriot Paulo Futre nonetheless sees it the other way – without major changes, "I think he'll leave" he says.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez tells France Football "it's normal other clubs dream of having him" in reference to Ronaldo rumours, particularly those concerning Paris Saint-Germain. Despite that, he insists the Portuguese "is Di Stefano's heir and he is very happy".
“He is not going to leave Real Madrid. He is the best player in the world and he has to keep playing for the best team in the world.”
But, according to another Portuguese, it is not quite so clear on Ronaldo’s end. Madrid, facing a transfer ban, certainly have every incentive now to hold onto all their most important and talented players, none more so than Ronaldo. But, Futre says “life has been somewhat strange for Cristiano of late”.
Telling Portugal's Onda Cero "he's been booed and not been shown the affection he needs" Futre says "the big question is whether he'll stay at Real Madrid or join Manchester United or PSG".
“I can see Cristiano leaving Real Madrid,” he says. “I think a lot of things will have to change in order for him to stay.”
The former Sporting CP, FC Porto, Benfica and Atletico Madrid man does however concede "things are a little better now under Zidane".
Perez, in his interview, insists himself Ronaldo is through and through “the leader of Real Madrid”.
A return to Manchester United, or a big-money splash by PSG, have been the predominant possibilities linked to Ronaldo. Even as doubts about his continued viability atop the global game have surrounded Ronaldo this season, with spurts of ineffectiveness and Madrid mired in third in La Liga, his goals tally still reads as impressively as ever, with 27 in 27 matches in the league and Champions League. He has another 10 assists across those two competitions as well.
AS Roma
AS Roma have announced the signing of AC Milan forward Stephan El Shaarawy on a six-month loan deal that could see the Italy international make the move permanent, the Serie A club announced Tuesday.
El Shaarawy quit the San Siro for AS Monaco last summer but a clause in his contract meant the Ligue 1 club had to make the 23-year-old's move permanent if he made 25 appearances.
After El Shaarawy played 24 times for the Principality side, Monaco opted not to buy, much to the delight of many Roma fans who welcomed him to Rome on Tuesday in the belief he can inject new life into their embattled campaign.
Also see: The National's Transfer Talk page
A statement by Roma said: “AS Roma are delighted to announce the signing of Stephan El Shaarawy from AC Milan.
“The Italian forward joins on a loan deal until 30 June 2016, for a fee of EU1.4 million (Dh5.6m). The agreement includes an option to make the deal permanent, for a fee of EU13 million, before the beginning of the 2016/17 season.”
El Shaarawy will be expected to slot straight into Luciano Spalletti’s starting line-up after the club sold Ivorian striker Gervinho to Chinese side Hebei Fortune earlier Tuesday.
El Shaarawy told Roma TV: “I’ve joined Roma to show what I can do – to myself, the coach and the Italian game as a whole.
“I hope to repay the faith the club is showing in me and therefore I want to give 100 per cent when I play to try and achieve great things here.”
Roma sit fifth in Serie A, at 12 points behind leaders Napoli ahead of Saturday's home game against regional rivals Frosinone.
El Shaarawy has made 17 appearances for Italy, making his senior international debut on 15 August 2012 away to England. His first goal for Italy came on 14 November 2012 against France.
Crystal Palace
Emmanuel Adebayor has joined Premier League side Crystal Palace until the end of the season, the club announced Tuesday.
“Crystal Palace are delighted to announce the signing of striker Emmanuel Adebayor until the end of the season,” said a statement on the club’s website.
Togo striker Adebayor, 31, was released from his contract at Tottenham Hotspur in September but will now move from the North London side to South London top-flight rivals Palace.
Adebayor first came to the Premier League when he joined Arsenal from Monaco.
He joined Manchester City in a £25 million (Dh131.6m) deal during 2009 before loan spells at Real Madrid and Spurs ahead of his permanent move to White Hart Lane in August 2012.
Palace are currently 11th in the Premier League table.
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