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Gossip: Chelsea 'swoop for Ronaldo' (and Giroud), Man Utd 'target Vidal', Hart 'seeks quick West Ham exit'
Amid all the fuss about Alexis Sanchez’s shock move to Manchester United, the hopes and dreams of another man have been forgotten. Cristiano Ronaldo, we have been sporadically told for several years, yearns for a return to the Theatre of Dreams, the Trafford Centre, the Northern Quarter, Granada Studios, Bury Transport Museum, Mick Hucknall – back to Manchester, his spiritual home.
But it’s all gone to testicles. Having signed Alexis, it’s hard to see United splashing out on another ageing, eye-wateringly expensive attacking superstar anytime soon. CR7’s dream of an emotional homecoming is over. He may never take a moonlight stroll through West Didsbury again.
But as one fantasy ends, another can begin: Piccadilly Circus, Madame Tussauds, the District Line, Battersea Dog’s Home, the M25, Eric Bristow. London, baby!
Or, more specifically, Chelsea.
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The Sun has claimed, with trademark audacity, that the Blues are set to make a sensational swoop for the Portuguese legend and that Cristiano is “open to a move” to Stamford Bridge.
The catalyst for this news is Real Madrid’s pursuit of Chelsea playmaker Eden Hazard, with the Sun suggesting that Ronaldo could move in the opposite direction in an extravagant part-exchange arrangement this summer.
The tabloid quotes a “source” as saying, “It makes a lot of sense if you think about it. If United don’t want Ronaldo, Chelsea are the only club who could afford his wages.” Not a Chelsea source, or a Real Madrid source, or even a source with any defined football expertise. Just “a source”. Thanks.
Chelsea quoted £35m for Giroud
In the shorter term, the Blues could also end up with Olivier Giroud in their ranks, with Arsenal reportedly willing to allow the French striker to move to west London this month (Mail). There is a catch, though, which is that the Gunners are demanding Chelsea meet the 31-year-old’s £35m valuation in full. Pricey.
Man Utd have joined the race to sign Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal after learning that Bayern Munich are ready to sell the 30-year-old this summer, says the Mirror. Vidal’s international team-mate Alexis has no doubt already been waxing lyrical about the ridiculous wages on offer at Old Trafford.
Who would you sign for your club? Swipe left or right below.
Meanwhile, poor Joe Hart has been left in a pickle by West Ham’s untimely FA Cup exit at the hands of League One Wigan. The Cup was the only competition he was being picked in, meaning he faces the prospect of playing no more football between now and the World Cup (and, therefore, would not play any football at the World Cup either).
The Times reports that England’s number one is desperately trying to end his loan deal within the Hammers before the transfer window closes in order to find first-team football somewhere else. Anywhere else. The phrase “massive pay cut?” immediately springs to mind.
Elsewhere, Swansea are ready to pay the Hammers £18m to seal Ghanaian forward Andre Ayew’s return to the Liberty Stadium before deadline day (Sun), LA Galaxy are “inching closer” to signing Man Utd striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic (ESPN) and Stoke City will have to have pay Galatasaray £16m to sign the 27-year-old Senegalese midfielder Badou Ndiaye (Sun). New Potters boss Paul Lambert is buzzing so hard about being back in the Premier League that he might actually do it too.
