Could Cristiano Ronaldo be on his way back to Manchester?

RUMOURS are growing in Spain that Cristiano Ronaldo is reaching the end of the road as far as Real are concerned. According to Spanish rag Sport, the 26-year-old Portuguese preener is increasingly disillusioned with life at the Bernabeu and was shocked when he was the target for the boo boys following last weekend's 2-1 defeat to Barcelona.

It's alleged Ronaldo spent Sunday considering his future and speculation is mounting that he will return to the Premier League as soon as possible. And that's where it gets really interesting with a desperate fight for his signature looming between Manchester United and noisy neighbours Manchester City.

Alex Ferguson is known to keep in contact with Ronaldo, but would the Red Devils be able to afford to re-sign the player they sold to Real for £80m two years ago? City on the other hand would have no problem finding the cash and they remain favourites to end Ronaldo's Spanish nightmare.

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has told Chelsea they will have to find in excess of £30m if they wish to sign Cheick Tiote. The Blues are believed to be planning a January swoop for the 25-year-old Ivory Coast playmaker but the Magpies have made it clear they won't let Tiote go without a fight. "He's a big target because he's a great player, and great players are going to be targets," Pardew is quoted as telling the Metro.

Asked if he might be persuaded to sell Tiote if the price was right, Pardew replied: "You never know with the window. It's such a minefield of possibilities... but the one thing I would say on that is that they are going to have to pay a lot of money." Tiote signed from Belgian outfit Twente in 2010 and has since became a firm favourite on Tyneside.

Great news for Arsenal fans is Denilson’s disclosure that he wants to remain with Sao Paulo. That will please Gooners who still quake at the memory of the Brazilian playmaker's antic during his less than glorious five-year stay in north London. Denilson was loaned to Sao Paulo last summer and in an interview with local broadcaster Radio Globo the 23-year-old indicated that he sees his future in South America: "I still have six more months [with Sao Paulo]. I hope to cool off a little, enjoy the holidays with my family, and return more professional and get things right next year."

In other news, the heat is on to snap up AZ Alkmaar's young striker Rasmus Elm. The Daily Mail reports that Spurs are the latest club to express an interest in the 23-year-old Swede who comes with a £6m price tag. Manchester United and Arsenal noticed his eye-catching performance for Sweden in last month’s friendly and any one of the three clubs could make an offer next month.

Finally, the Mirror claims that Manchester United have told Juventus they stand no chance of getting their hands on Antonio Valencia in January’s transfer window. Apparently the Turin club are desperate to sign the Ecuador winger with a £15m offer, but the Mirror says that United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has told Juventus a deal won't be possible because of the Red Devils' injury list. ·