Marcel Mad About Franck

Chelsea and France legend Marcel Desailly says Manchester United should break the bank to sign Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery as a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo.

The 26-year-old French international has been linked with a move to both United and Spanish giants Barcelona, while Bayern have hinted they may be willing to sell the player if the price is right.

Former defender Desailly, who won 116 caps for France, said of his countryman, “I would put Ribery among the top two wingers in the world. For me it is Cristiano Ronaldo and then straight after it is Ribery.

“He has the same style as Ronaldo because he can dribble past you in any position. He will be less of a show-off than Ronaldo but when you put him into a collective, then for sure he will make a difference.

“If they (United) buy him he will deliver a huge performance and will help the team. Playing at Bayern gives him potential but not like playing in one of the top three leagues in the world.

“Let’s give him the opportunity to show he is capable of delivering performances in the Premier League.

“United need him. Scholes is getting older, Giggs is getting older. They need another player to replace Ronaldo with special skill – the skill to be able to make the difference at any given moment.”

However, Desailly, who made 220 appearances for Chelsea, doesn’t believe Ribery’s next port of call will be at Stamford Bridge.

He added, “I don’t see him there. Florent Malouda, who at one stage they wanted to throw in the bin, is suddenly adapting brilliantly to the team so I’d be surprised if Ribery was on Chelsea’s radar.”

Costa Worth The cost?

Douglas Costa’s agent says Manchester United have held ‘informal talks’ with Gremio about buying the Brazlian.

United’s interest in the Brazil Under-20 international is believed to stretch back up to two years but is likely to intensify in tandem with the inevitable departure of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Real Madrid and Barcelona have both been touted as potential suitors for Douglas, who has previously been dubbed ‘the new Ronaldinho’ by observers in his homeland.

The player’s agent, Cesar Bottega, admits that dialogue is ongoing regarding the £20 million-rated 18-year-old but has hinted that a number of hurdles will first have to be overcome before any deal is completed.

“There have been informal conversations and I believe United would match those values,” Bottega told the Brazilian press.

“At the end of the Brasileirão, Douglas will be worth at least twice that.”

Douglas is thought to have recently signed a new four-year deal with Gremio to tie him to the Brazilian club until 2013.

Gibson puts United first

Darron Gibson is prepared to put his World Cup dream on hold to make it at Manchester United.

The 21-year-old would almost certainly be part of Giovanni Trapattoni’s squad if the Republic of Ireland made it to South Africa next year, providing he could secure regular top flight action.

Everton are among the clubs interested in acquiring Gibson, who made 14 appearances for the Red Devils last season.

However, even though he realises his chances at Old Trafford are likely to be limited, Gibson wants to sign another contract with Alex Ferguson’s men.

“My contract is coming to an end so, hopefully, at the end of the month I’ll be signing a new one,” said Gibson.

“My current deal ends at the end of next season but, normally, a player would enter into new contract talks at the end of this month.

“I’ve been told that a few clubs had expressed an interest in signing me, but I want to give it a good push and have a proper go at it next season before I decide to go anywhere else.”

Gibson has turned in a series of eye-catching displays for United and fired home an excellent matchwinner at Hull on the final day of last season.

Yet it is difficult to see him forcing his way into a midfield that includes Michael Carrick, Anderson and Darren Fletcher, even if Paul Scholes is expected to retire in 12 months’ time.

Ron keeping quiet – Advisors

Cristiano Ronaldo’s management company have issued a statement insisting he has given no interviews since Manchester United accepted an £80million offer for his services from Real Madrid on June 11.

Stories appeared over the weekend in the English press with quotes attributed to the 24-year-old Portugal winger regarding his potential move to the Spanish capital.

However, Gestifute issued a statement reiterating the player has not spoken to the press.

It read: “Given the strident way that statements allegedly attributed to Cristiano Ronaldo have been printed, particularly in the English media, Gestifute reiterates what it recently stated: Cristiano Ronaldo has been silent since he went on holiday and all statements (in which he is supposedly quoted) are totally false and abusive.

“The best player in the world – who is spending the off-season with his family – has not, to date, given any interviews, nor will he in the next few days.

“As a result, it can be restated here that any statements that are still being attributed to him are devoid of truth and authenticity and must not be taken seriously.”

Ronaldo Wanted To Leave United 2008/09

Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted he made up his mind to leave Manchester United last summer.

The Portugal winger looks set to seal an £80m move to Real Madrid after United accepted a world record bid from the Spanish club.

Madrid conducted a long and public pursuit of Ronaldo last year but it proved ultimately unsuccessful as the 24-year- remained at Old Trafford.

But despite staying in the Barclays Premier League, and helping United complete a hat-trick of title triumphs, Ronaldo claims he made up his mind to leave after the Champions League triumph over Chelsea a year ago.

“After we won the European Cup, I thought ‘there is no more I can achieve here’,” the Portuguese told a Sunday newspaper. “And when you have done all you can, you know it is time for a new challenge. I stayed one more season and it was nice to make it three titles in a row but it was my dream to play for Madrid.”

The fact Madrid have not won the Champions League since 2002 – and are currently comfortably only the second-best team in Spain behind Barcelona – has led some critics to claim Ronaldo is more interested in money than medals.

But Ronaldo insisted: “Of course, I have not gone for the money.

“To go down as the greatest. It will take lots of work but that is my target. If you go down as the greatest at Madrid it means you are one of the greatest of all time.”

The winger also apologised for his infamous wink which followed Wayne Rooney’s sending-off in the 2006 World Cup quarter-final between Portugal and England.

“Sometimes you do things because emotions are running high but Wayne is my good friend,” Ronaldo said.

“I can’t regret it because I think the whole experience made me stronger.

“But looking back it was not the right thing to do and not something I would do any more.”

Karim Benezema: Another Dreamer?

Karim Benzema’s agent admits the striker doesn’t want to quit Lyon this year – increasing his chances of a dream move to Real Madrid.

The French forward is believed to be at the top of Manchester United’s wanted list following the losses of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez, but the 21-year-old is not thought to be keen on a switch to Old Trafford.

Benzema’s agent Karim Djaziri confirmed that Benzema, who Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas said last week would prefer a move to the Bernabeu, was not ready to leave France this summer.

“Karim is on holiday at the moment and he is not thinking of moving,” he said.

“He wants to stay in France for another year so that he can prepare for the World Cup and I think that Sir Alex [Ferguson] knows this.

“Perhaps he wants to make an offer to Lyon. If that happens, then Karim will think about it, but as things stand, Karim wants to stay with Lyon for another year.”

Benzema’s situation could change if Lyon accept an offer that is too good to turn down, but if he stays another season at the Stade Gerland there appears to be a greater likelihood of Real Madrid coming in for him next season.

City A done Deal For Tevez?

Argentine striker Carlos Tevez agreed to join Manchester City from bitter rivals Manchester United two weeks ago – and he will complete a £25.5m move in the next few days. However, Chelsea could scupper the deal if the Stamford Bridge outfit match the £130,000-a-week salary that City are offering Tevez.

Race On For Campbell

Manchester United striker Frazier Campbell could be on his way to the Stadium of Light in a £6m deal.

Hull City have already had a bid accepted for the England Under-21 international, who was prominent in the Tigers` promotion campaign to the Premiership, scoring 15 goals and setting up the winner in the Playoff Final.

Reports in today`s Daily Mail suggest that Steve Bruce will match Hull`s offer. Bruce has a long-standing interest in Campbell, as he attempted to sign the striker on loan last season for Wigan before Campbell moved to Tottenham.

Campbell is set to make a decision over his future after the European Under-21 Championships conclude.