Gossip: Ronaldo, Redknapp, Embolo, Valero

Matt Stead

RONALDO OFF TO PSG
Cristiano bloody Ronaldo.

Remember that EXCLUSIVE that The Sun’s Neil Custis provided us with just over a fortnight ago, where he claimed Ronaldo was heading to Manchester United? Or Sunday’s similar claims from the Mirror’s Simon Mullock? Well, forget it all, because Antony Kastrinakis has just put his balls on the table.

The man in the know claims that Ronaldo will entertain joining Paris Saint-Germain, and ONLY Paris Saint-Germain, if he leaves Real Madrid in the future. In claims directly opposing that of his colleague Custis, Kastrinakis attributes sources close to the Portuguese star as confirming a return to United is not being entertained.

PSG’s style of play, the way of living in Paris and, in particular, manager Laurent Blanc are all given as reasons for Ronaldo’s decision, and Kastrinakis saves his best line until the end:

‘That, right on queue, the French champs began talks with Blanc over extending his contract says it all really.’

Great stuff.

 

‘ARRY’S BACK
We’d like to say we’ve missed Harry Redknapp, but football’s white noise has been louder than ever since his last managerial spell with QPR ended in February. Still, Harry the pundit is a different beast to ‘Arry the gaffer. We could be about to see the return of the latter.

That’s according to the Daily Mirror, who claim Redknapp ‘is in the frame’ to replace Steve McClaren if he is sacked by Newcastle. Brendan Rodgers remains the favourite for the post, but Darren Lewis reports that Redknapp ‘is also tipped to be the man to sort out the shambles’ at St James’ Park. Just like he sorted out the shambles at QPR.

For what it’s worth, pretty much every other national newspaper reports that McClaren is in no danger of losing his job at Newcastle, as things stand. That, coupled with Redknapp’s intermittently dodgy knees, Newcastle’s quota of foreigns and the amount of traveling involved means we can file this in the ‘unlikely’ folder.

 

UNITED, SAINTS AND BARCA HIGHLIGHT BREEL
Time to go a bit continental now, with Swiss newspaper Blick reporting that Manchester United, Southampton and Barcelona are interested in FC Basel striker Breel Embolo.

All three sides sent scouts to watch the 18-year-old in action for the Swiss side against Fiorentina in the Europa League in midweek, with Viola midfielder Borja Valero also a subject of interest. Embolo and Valero played the full 90 minutes on Thursday, with the two sides playing out a 2-2 draw.

Embolo is remarkably highly rated, having scored 24 goals in 67 games for Basel already, earning seven caps and one goal for Switzerland. He only turns 19 in February. Blick add that Embolo was valued at at least £16million in the summer, a price which may well have increased further since.

 

AND THE REST
Chelsea and West Ham are among the clubs interested in 18-year-old Genoa midfielder Riccardo Mandragora…Lazio are keen to sign Chelsea defender Papy Djilobodji on loan in January…Stoke City could be set to swoop for Werder Bremen striker Anthony Ujah, 25, who has four Nigeria caps…Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce faces stiff competition from Italy – and a £7million price tag – to sign Olympiacos left-back Arthur Masuaku…West Ham could be ready to revive their interest in Inter Milan full-back Danilo D’Ambrosio…Barcelona have made it clear they have no interest in taking back Aston Villa teenager Adama Traore…Serie A sides AC Milan, Inter, Juventus and Bologna are interested in Leicester City forward Andrej Kramaric.