Football Dispatch

Monday Football
27 August 2007
Chelsea are planning an audatious bid for Ronaldinho. The summer transfer window is set to close at midnight, Friday, and Blues owner Roman Abramovich is hoping to have the 2-time World Player of the Year at Stamford Bridge by the weekend. The Russian billionaire entertained the player's brother and agent, Roberto de Assis Moreira, on Saturday and Sunday. Abramovich flew Moreira to London on his private jet and put him up in the swank Lanesborough Hotel in Mayfair on Saturday night. The two are said to have discussed Ronaldinho's staggering 85M-pound buy-out clause. The 27-year-old is contracted to Barcelona until June, 2010. He was named FIFA's World Player of the Year in consecutive seasons before struggling in 2006-2007. Still, Barcelona director Txigi Berguristain denied that his club are keen to sell Ronaldinho. "We do not want to sell him," stated Berguristain, yesterday. "Ronaldinho is our player and I am totally convinced that he will remain at the club." Still, Abramovich may have chosen his timing well. Barcelona were held to a stagnant 0-0 draw by Racing Santander, yesterday. The triple-threat of Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto'o, and Lionel Messi rarely threatened of goal; and manager Frank Rijkaard, with whom Ronaldinho has never enjoyed a particularly warm relationship, may be more inclined to attach the club's fortunes to the young Messi. Should Ronaldinho come to Chelsea, it would inevitably spell the exit of Michael Ballack. Manager Jose Mourinho, however, has done his best to insist that the club has finished its off-season business. He claims to be happy with his squad at the moment and would likely welcome Ronaldinho to London with reluctance.

Antonio Puerta remains in critical condition after suffering multiple heart-attacks at Estadio Sanchez Pizjuan, yesterday. The Sevilla defender, just 22-years-old, was stretchered from the pitch after collapsing near his goal in the first-half of Sevilla's 4-1 over visiting Getafe. Puerto remains in intensive care.

Sevilla, meanwhile, will sort-out the status of Daniel Alves before Friday's transfer deadline. The 24-year-old Brazilian right-back looked destined to join Chelsea until last week when the Blues pulled out of negotiations citing Sevilla's inflated valuation of the player. The UEFA Cup holders had held-out for 27M-pounds -- 6M-pounds more than Chelsea's highest offer. Alves, who had been keen on the move to the English capital, is now in limbo and has refused to travel to Greece for tomorrow's Champions' League qualifier against AEK Athens. Sevilla president Jose Mario del Nido did not mince words in condemning his player's actions. In statements yesterday, he accused Alves of "complete lack of respect towards his colleagues and the organization." Real Madrid have already expressed interest in Alves; and given the situation, may have played their cards brilliantly. The player's value has surely deflated in a matter of days.

Manuel Fernandes stunned Everton, yesterday, when he completed a move to Valencia. The Benfica midfielder has played on loan at Portsmouth and Everton last season; and Everton manager David Moyes had hoped to finalize a permanent deal before Friday's transfer deadline. He had good reason to hope. Fernandes was on hand at Goodison Park for Saturday's 1-1 draw with Blackburn Rovers and his third-party ownership appeared all but sorted. Moyes was understandably shocked when Valencia announced their signing of Fernandes, yesterday. The 21-year-old had already passed a medical examination on Merseyside and had been front-and-centre in Moyes plans for the 2007-2008 Premier League season. Fernandes' situation was complicated, somewhat, by Media Sports International (MSI) which retains third-party ownership in his playing rights.

Everton are further reeling after learning that Nigerian striker Yakubu will not be coming to Goodison Park. Moyes had earmarked the 24-year-old for a striking partnership with Andy Johnson and had already agreed an 11.25M-pound deal with Middlesbrough. Yakubu's transfer was kiboshed by complicated immigration rules in the United Kingdom. As he has not featured in 75% of Nigeria's international matches over the past two years, he would have required a work permit to complete the move to Everton.

Los Angeles Galaxy are mulling a managerial change. Frank Yallop, the former Canadian national coach, has been at the helm in Hollywood since the begining of the season but is thought to have floundered in the glare of David Beckham's presence at the club. Galaxy insiders are reporting that Jurgan Klinsmann has already been lined-up to succeed Yallop. Sunday's 3-0 loss away to Colorado Rapids may have been the final straw. Klinsmann already lives in Los Angeles and would be comfortable in the inevitable limelight.

A host of Premier League clubs are keeping an eye on Celtic's Kenny Miller. The Scotland international has been one of the most consistent goal-scorers at the club during his time at Parkhead and, at 27, may be ready for a move southward. Each of Everton, Manchester City, Fulham, and Derby are tracking his status. Everton may consider him the ideal replacement for Yakubu; while Derby would table a bid in the event that they fail to land David Nugent in the next few days. Celtic manager Gordan Strachan will listen to offers in the vicinity of 3M-pounds.