Real Madrid’s history is peppered with superstar purchases, a tradition in the Spanish capital whenever things don’t go their way. So, after a trophy-less season it is only natural that they are being linked with a big money move for a star name and there is none bigger than Gareth Bale at the moment.

And, like another Spanish tradition, Madrid have been using their players, ex-players, directors to constantly drop sound bites about the Tottenham winger. After Sergio Ramos, Zinedine Zidane has now joined the chorus by heaping praise on the Welsh wizard.

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Arsenal to break the bank for Rooney, but Gill insists star will stay at Old Trafford

Arsenal are prepared to free themselves from the tethers of financial prudence and spend big bucks on landing Wayne Rooney according to the Daily Mail, who report that the Gunners are willing to offer £200k-a-week to the 27 year old to lure him from Old Trafford. But Man United’s ex-Chief Executive David Gill insists that Rooney will remain a Red Devil as he is quoted saying: “I think that he’s a great, great player at a great, great club and the club doesn’t want to lose its star player. I’m sure every bit of work is being taken with Wayne and his advisers to ensure that happens. I am not a betting man but I’m confident I’ll sit at Old Trafford next season and see Wayne Rooney running out.”

Moyes ponders making Fellaini bid

David Moyes is reportedly keen on brining Marouane Fellaini with him to Old Trafford according to the Guardian, with the Belgian midfielder also looking to feature in the Champions League. The Everton cult hero will be available at a price of £24m and should fill a huge gap in Man United’s central midfield. Chelsea have been long-time admirers of Fellaini too, which should ensure a bidding war.

Aston Villa finished this year’s Premier League season in 15th place and were able to get ahead of teams like Newcastle, Sunderland and Wigan Athletic towards the business end of the season to stave off relegation. After thrashings like 5-0, 4-0 and 8-0, which is incidentally the worst result for a Premier League team this term, at the hands of Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea respectively, it is nothing short of a miracle that the men in Claret and Blue have managed to stay afloat. Step into Villa Park and any fan will tell you how this miracle came about, Christian Benteke.

The big burly Belgian striker has weighed in with 19 goals and 4 assists in his debut season and comes behind only Robin van Persie, Luis Suarez and Gareth Bale in te scoring charts, putting him in incredibly accomplished company. Though it is unfair to say that Benteke single-handedly helped the Villans fight off relegation, it’s hard to find any other major contributors on the field. Paul Lambert has himself stated that the player is ‘world-class’ and is only behind Ronaldo and Messi in his goal scoring exploits since the turn of the year.

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Ferdinand pens new one year contract

Rio Ferdinand has finally put pen to paper on a new one year deal at Manchester United that will now see the defender head into his 12^th season with the Red Devils. The 34 year old had been linked with moves to the MLS and Asia earlier in the season but his form since December has been exemplary and he has been duly rewarded with a new contract. “I am delighted to have signed a new contract. Who wouldn’t want to play in this fantastic team in front of 76,000 fans each week?” said an excited Ferdinand to Manutd.com. New boss David Moyes also effused about the centre-back who recently retired from International duty.

Vermaelen now on Napoli’s radar

Poor Thomas Vermaelen has not only lost his place in the Arsenal starting line-up, he has also lost his standing in the rumour mill. A day after being linked with Man United and Barcelona, the Belgian is now said to be a target for Napoli according to TalkSport. The Italians feel that they can secure the 27 year olds services for cheap in the summer and a year after being handed the captain’s armband, Vermaelen would only be following standard procedure by leaving the Emirates.

Money talks, in the world of football, and that is exactly what the clubs of today are striving hard to prove. First there were the mighty Blues, whose big cash exploits in the transfer market (for players and managers, both) were attributed to their billionaire owner Roman Abramovich. Then came the Sheikh Mansour owned Manchester City, followed by the QIA backed Paris Saint-Germain. And now it is the turn of newly promoted AS Monaco.

The Ligue 1 side have been reported to be on the lookout for quality players in the transfer market for a long time, to offer stiff competition for the French League title next season, and it finally seems that owner Dmitry Rybolovlev’s transfer schemes have paid off. The Daily Express reports that Monaco are planning a double coup to raid Portuguese side Porto and rob Manchester United and Chelsea of their transfer targets for this summer – James Rodriguez and Joao Moutinho – respectively.

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PSG to welcome Rooney with £100m carpet of money

Wayne Rooney’s continued insistence that he hasn’t put in a transfer request at Man United seems to have no effect on his suitors as the Mirror report that PSG are ready to pay £40m for the 27 year old on top of a £15m-a-year (after tax) wage packet. there are even suggestions that the French club have made contact with the Englishman and now only time will tell if we have seen the last of the striker in the Premier League.

Vermaelen wants out, Barca and Man United in the hunt

Thomas Vermaelen could be headed down the exit at the Emirates after losing his place in the starting line-up to Laurent Koscielny and the Mirror report that Man United are surprise suitors for the Belgian, who also has Barcelona monitoring him. Barca tried to sign the centre-back last year and ailed but with their defensive problems exacerbating over the season, they are unlikely to miss out on their target this time around.

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Rooney fears his Old Trafford career is nearing its end

Wayne Rooney has vehemently denied putting in a transfer request according to the Mirror, who claim that Manchester United are forcing the striker out of the club. Sir Alex Ferguson has even publicly spoken about Rooney’s alleged transfer request and it is now David Moyes’ decision whether to keep the one time talisman at the club. The suggestions are that Moyes will not stop Rooney from quitting the Red Devils, with some outlandish claims that Sir Alex even tried to swap the 27 year old for Joe Hart.

West Ham agree £15m for Liverpool-reject Carroll

The English press is aflutter with news that Liverpool and West Ham have come into an agreement over Andy Carroll, the most expensive British player of all time. Liverpool have supposedly accepted to let the Hammers sign Carroll permanently for around £15m, which less than half of what the Reds paid Newcastle two years ago. The deal now hangs on the 24 year olds decision, with some sources claiming that he has doubts over extending his loan spell to a permanent move at Upton Park.