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So, Ferguson has decided that he doesn't mind selling Real Madrid 'a virus' after all. Ronny's dream to play for the 6th best team of last season has finally come true, and now it's United's turn to be linked with just about everyone with 80 million pounds (possibly plus another 20 million annual transfer budget) to spend.

Some of the talk has been utterly ridiculous: The Daily Express claims Ferguson's has his eyes on Fernando Torres from Liverpool, despite having vetoed Gabriel Heinze's move to Anfield not so long ago on the basis that no trade can occur between the sworn enemies. Some has been going on for years now: Karim Benzema has been named by all tabloids, but Lyon don't want to let go of him, and it could take upwards from 40 million pounds. Some will require 'crazy' money: that's the term Baryen Munich used to describe what it would take to prise away Franck Ribery from the Bavarians. One, however, looks only a matter of time from being finalised: Luis Antonio Valencia from Wigan for around 17 million, with the Wigan Chairman resigned to losing the Ecuadorian winger. Samuel Eto'o, David Silva and Roma striker Mirko Vucinic have also been mentioned.

BREAKING NEWS: Many newspapers reported that United are interested in signing Valencia forward David Villa after talks between Real Madrid and Valencia broke down. United are ready to offer upto £45 million for the Spanish striker.

But the talk has not just been about who all will come to the Theater of Dreams but also who all will go. The Daily Mail boast on their site "EXCLUSIVE: Fergie - Ronaldo was always going to quit... and I'm losing Tevez to City". Although Fergie never mentions Tevez at all, it's a feeling common to all newspapers that Tevez will be with the Eastlands side next season. In fact, go to The Daily Mirror's website and you'll find Tevez photoshoped into the canary blue jersey. Nemanja Vidic meanwhile is suspected to be of interest to both Real Madrid and Barcelona in the region of 25 million pounds after reports of his wife not being happy with the English climate. News of the World however claim that the Serbian has pledged his future to the Red Devils.

But there is another player having problems with the missus: Javier Mascherano. Again turning to the News of the World, we are told that the Argentinian's wife has failed to settle in at the Merseyside and Masch is considering, moving to Barcelona believing his wife would be more comfortable in a Spanish speaking region. Benitez has said that his midfield enforcer is not for sale at any price, but he may be forced to sell if a big offer comes in and the Argentinian expresses a desire to move.

Another Liverpool midfielder who could be moving to Iberia is Xabi Alonso. As mentioned in Rumuor-o Uno I, Real Madrid president Florentino Pereza is a self-proclaimed fan of the Spaniard and wants him to anchor the new look Galactico midfield. The Sun gives us the scoop that Real could offer Arjen Robben for a straight swap, and Benitez likes wide players but it looks highly unlikely that Liverpool would want to lose a prized asset like Alonso, especially since Albert Riera, Benayoun and Dirk Kuyt did decent jobs last season.

Real's business is by no means over, despite having already made two World Records transfers. The Times London report that next on the list is Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but they have been stunned by a 80 millino price tag on the Swedish striker who was, until Kaka's move, the highest paid player in the world. Marca said the David Villa deal was done a few days ago, but Villa's club Valencia rubbished the news. The Times London however expect the deal to go through in the next few days with a fee of around 35-40 million pounds.They are also leading the chase for Franck Ribery, along with Barcelona, which is expected to cost about 65 million.

Chelsea could soon be signing Paolo Maldini - as a coach, that is. The veteran defender who just hung up his boots is said to be so hurt by the banners that the Milan Ultras put up during his last match at the San Siro that he's considering moving elsewhere to continue his career in football, and old pal Carlo Ancelloti has reportedly asked him to join him at the Bridge. As for players, despite not lacking funds the Blues are finding it really difficult to get their targets. Kaka chose to go to Milan, and David Villa is also expected to give them the snub. Chelsea are also in the running for Franck Ribery but again the Frenchman is said to prefer a move to Spain. Not much talk has come of Pato in the last few days. One man that they look like favourites to sign is Russian Yuri Zhirkov from CSKA Moscow, with the Daily Mail claiming that owner Roman Abramovich has spoken to the midfielder to convince him to come to London instead of his childhood dream club Barcelona.

The Arsenal camp has been rather quiet the last couple of days. Defender Thomas Vermaelen's move from Ajax to the Emirates was supposed to be just a matter of days away some time ago, but there's been no update recently. The Daily Mail links Paris Saint Germain defensive starlet Mamadou Sakho to the Gunners, with the 19-year old's agent claiming Arsenal have made an enquiry but their valuation has been too low. The agent also claimed that Bayern Munich and Barcelona are also in the running, and that Sakho will be moving this summer.

BREAKING NEWS: News reports have emerged from South Africa that Arsenal's Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas, while saying that he would like to stay at Emirates, also said that if Barcelona Manager Pep Guardiola were to ask him to join the Catalan club, he would agree.

 

For all the completed transfers from the English Premier League, visit our Transfer Round-up section.

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Photograph Copyright:  Julian