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Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo commit themselves to clubs
With both players apparently off the transfer market for the summer, the big story of the close season is yet to make itself clear
AC Milan's Brazilian playmaker Kaka has pooh-poohed reports that he will be leaving the San Siro club in the close season, telling a French newspaper: ""I repeat, I am under contract until 2013 and I want to fulfil it except if Milan makes another decision." The 27-year-old had been rumoured to be on his way to Manchester United for a world record fee, and Real Madrid were also keen on securing his signature. Kaka also revealed the machinations behind his putative move to Manchester City in January: "It is true, I thought about that proposition. With my family we took stock about what could motivate me to leave or stay. It tipped the scales in favour of Milan. Indeed there was money, but that is not enough, because it is not the most important thing to me"...
As predicted on The First Post yesterday, Cristiano Ronaldo's histrionics at the weekend when substituted for Manchester United in the Mancunian derby have led to a severe case of transferrumouritis, but it seems that for now the Portuguese winger is content to stay at Old Trafford. The 24-year-old has told clubmates that he is staying with the champions-elect regardless of what Real Madrid put on the table over the summer, forcing the Spanish giants to target - improbably enough - Wigan's Antonio Valencia in his stead...
Liverpool's combative Argentinean midfielder Javier Mascherano is yet another player to yesterday pledge his future to his club, stating that under Rafa Benitez this season the Merseysiders have become a credible title challenger to Manchester United. Earlier this year the £18m Mascherano incurred his boss's wrath by claiming that the Anfield club was not up to the task and implied that he would be leaving, but harmony has now been restored between player and manager...
With Middlesbrough all-but-relegated, the sharks are gathering around the few players of talent at the Riverside, and Benitez has been the first to strike, preparing a £12m bid for England international Stewart Downing. "‘Someone called him Mr Duracell, and that is a good description for him, because he is like the bunny in the advert. He is always on the go, always running," said the Spaniard. Boro will have no chance of keeping their winged wonder, and will be hoping to stoke up a transfer frenzy around their few assets, including Downing and Tuncay... ·
