A round-up of the biggest football transfer stories from across Europe
Cristiano Ronaldo
The reason Cristiano Ronaldo joined Manchester United instead of Arsenal was because the plans to build Emirates Stadium meant they couldn’t meet the asking price.
That is according to a new biography based on Ronaldo’s super-agent Jorge Mendes.
It had been previously claimed that United beat Arsenal to Ronaldo thanks largely to Alex Ferguson’s then assistant manager Carlos Queiroz, who had strong links to Ronaldo’s club Sporting Lisbon.
However, extracts from the new book claim Arsenal were on the verge of completing the deal until they failed to meet the asking price.
“There was a moment in which I really thought he was going to Arsenal,” Mendes is quoted as saying. “David Dein is a spectacular person but, with the construction of their stadium, they were left with very little money and it wasn’t possible.”
On the trip to Arsenal, Ronaldo revealed: “We were travelling by car and Jorge was calling us constantly telling me to hide so no one would see me. We went to a service station and I had to hide my face.”
One year later, following a mesmeric display against United in a pre-season friendly, Ronaldo joined the Old Trafford club. While many believe the deal was struck following the game, Mendes insists the move had been sealed the previous evening.
“The only person key to everything was Alex Ferguson,” Mendes said. “He told me that Cristiano was going to play at least 50 per cent of the games for Manchester United and that’s what I wanted to hear. That’s why Cristiano went to Manchester United.”
Chelsea
Roma have agreed terms with Chelsea for the transfer of midfielder Mohamed Salah to the Serie A club, according to reports in Italy on Saturday.
The 22-year-old Salah, known as the “Egyptian Messi”, will sign a six-month loan deal worth €500,000 (Dh2 million) to Chelsea, various local media suggest.
Roma are also said to have the option of tying the rarely-used Chelsea forward at the end of the current campaign to a four-year deal that would see the Premier League giants recoup up to €18 million.
Roma, who sit second in Serie A five points behind leaders and champions Juventus ahead of Sunday’s trip to Fiorentina, have yet to issue any statement regarding the reports.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said last week Salah would be replaced in the event of his departure from Stamford Bridge, reopening the possibility that he could relaunch his pursuit of Fiorentina forward Juan Cuadrado.
Chelsea and Fiorentina reportedly held talks over the transfer of the Colombian international last week although Chelsea’s reported offer of €27m was well short of matching Cuadrado’s buyout clause of €35m.
On Thursday, La Viola coach Vincenzo Montella reiterated his desire to hold on to the influential Colombian by declaring Cuadrado “will not be leaving the club”.
Real Madrid
Joining Real Madrid is a dream that has come true for Brazilian Lucas Silva, his former coach Marcelo Oliveira has said, while describing the midfielder as a “diamond”.
The talented Silva, who played for Cruzeiro, has agreed a contract until June 2020 for a reported fee of €14 million and will be presented at the Bernabeu on Monday.
Real won the chase to bring in the creative Silva, 21, who is able to dictate play from the middle of the pitch and will be a useful understudy to Toni Kroos this season as he gains first team experience.
“I have been talking with Lucas and he is very happy as one of his dreams has come true. [Real Madrid coach Carlo] Ancelotti has got a real diamond,” Oliveira, who manages Cruzeiro, told Spanish newspaper As.
“He is a technical player with good vision, he can make precise 30-40 metre passes and has a strong shot.
“I have been behind him when he has shot from outside the area and believe me he has a lot of potential that can be further exploited. He will push those who are already in his position.
“He will need to adapt now to a new formation but I am sure he will develop a lot alongside the quality at Real Madrid.”
Real were weakened in midfield with the departure of Xabi Alonso to Bayern Munich ahead of this season and there has been a lot of pressure on Kroos as Ancelotti has used alternatives Sami Khedira and Asier Illarramendi sparingly.
Khedira is in a contractual dispute with Real and is expected to leave at the end of this season while Illarramendi has failed to progress as predicted following a big money move from Real Sociedad.
Ancelotti has said publicly that Illarramendi remains an important member of his squad but he has struggled to impose himself in the midfield when he has had chances.
Silva’s arrival could prompt his departure with Athletic Bilbao favourites to sign him.
Fabian Delph
Aston Villa will reluctantly listen to offers for midfielder Fabian Delph this month to avoid losing him on a free transfer at the end of the season, according to reports.
The 25-year-old England international has made it clear he will not be signing new terms at Villa Park and will be seeking a new club either this month or in the summer.
According to the Daily Mirror, Villa have placed a £4 million (DH 22m) valuation on Delph which must be met if he is to leave during the current transfer window.
Liverpool and Tottenham have both been linked with the central midfielder, although Spurs are thought to be unwilling to match his reported £60,000 (DH 330,000) a week wage demands.
Liverpool have targeted Delph as the potential successor to captain Steven Gerrard, who will leave at the end of the season to join MLS club LA Galaxy.
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