Franck Ribery has hinted he could soon sign a new deal with Bayern Munich.

The France midfielder was one of the hottest properties of the summer with big-spending Real Madrid one of the clubs doing their utmost to snife him away from Bayern.

Ribery remained with the Bundesliga giants and has now revealed he could very well extend his contract which is set to expire in 2011.

"The club already knows what they want and I have on my side an idea of what could happen,'' he said. "In football things can sometimes happen really quickly. A simple meeting and everything could be decided. There have not yet been any meetings but that could happen really quickly.''

Ribery is still not 100% fit after a succession of leg injuries and is yet to make his first start of the season.

However, he came off the bench to score his side's third goal in their 5-1 drubbing of Borussia Dortmund on Saturday. And the 26-year-old insists he is loving life at the Allianz Arena.

He added: "I feel loved at Bayern. It makes me feel happy that important people at the heart of the club are showing their confidence in me. The reaction of the supporters at my return also made me happy. This gives me a lot of strength.''

Danke to ESPN Soccernet for the story!

According to Sky Sports:

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has lined up a move for Kranjcar as a replacement for injured Croatian compatriot Luka Modric.

Modric faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a broken leg against Birmingham on Saturday and Redknapp has moved quickly to fill the void by targeting Kranjcar.

Kranjcar's future has been the subject of constant speculation all summer with the player unhappy about the number of big-name departures at Fratton Park.

Redknapp knows all about Kranjcar having worked with him during his time in charge of Portsmouth and it appears he is set to be reunited with the classy midfielder.

Sky Sports sources also understand Tottenham have made an enquiry for Manchester City winger Martin Petrov.

Petrov's future at City looks in doubt following the arrival of a number of high-profile signings and a several clubs are thought to be monitoring his situation at Eastlands.

Redknapp has been a long-term admirer of Petrov and is thought he has sounded out a move for the Bulgarian as he weighs up his options before the close of the transfer window.

Thoughts?

With the summer transfer deadline fast approaching, Bayern are keen to bring in one further player for this season’s squad. Arjen Robben from Spanish league runners-up Real Madrid is the target for Germany’s most successful club. “That’s correct, We’re interested in signing Arjen Robben. He’s on his way to Munich," FCB general manager Uli Hoeneß confirmed on Thursday evening.

After his arrival in Munich, Robben will report to the club for a medical. The player, his representatives and the FCB board would then sit down and work through his personal terms, Hoeneß said. “We already have an agreement with Real Madrid,” reported the Bayern general manager, voicing hopes that the man capped 43 times by the Netherlands might have put his name to a four-year contract by Friday midday. “He’s one of the best attacking midfielders in Europe. He’s always been one of the players we wanted,” Hoeneß said.


In the right circumstances, Robben could even make his debut in Saturday’s crunch home meeting with champions VfL Wolfsburg, the general manager continued. “If it all goes perfectly, his name will go on the official transfer list tomorrow. That would make it theoretically possible for him to play on Saturday, although absolutely everything would have to go without a hitch,” Hoeneß warned.

Robben’s position within the team has already been discussed and agreed. “Our intention is to have Robben play on the right and Ribéry on the left,” explained Hoeneß, expressing delight at the potential for “an even more attractive team.”

Mark van Bommel, who played alongside Robben for PSV Eindhoven between 2002 and 2004, told FCB.tv that Robben was “an outstanding player in the same class as Franck Ribéry. If he decides to come, he’ll definitely make us stronger as a team.” Along with Van Bommel and Edson Braafheid, Robben would be the third Dutch star in the Bayern squad.

Hoeneß also commented on Bayern’s further plans before the transfer deadline next Monday. “At the moment we’re not planning any further activity. But three or four days ago, I’d never have thought Arjen Robben would be coming to Munich." The general manager did not rule out players leaving the club: “If a player came to us before Monday, because he reckoned his chances of playing had gone down, we’d be absolutely ready to talk.”

Thankies to the official FC Bayern website for the story

Oh! That looks so painful!! :(

It turns out yesterday’s Rafa has quit rumors were just that: rumors. Benitez re-affirmed his commitment to Liverpool as victory over Stoke left him in a jovial mood. The Spaniard joked that his side were the Premier League pacesetters when it came to getting stitches.

Fernando Torres received 10 stitches to a head wound after clashing heads with Potters’ defender and reported Rafa-target Ryan Shawcross.

Benitez said:

“We are at the top of the table now - for stitches, Carra had 20 on Sunday, Skrtel some more and now Torres, maybe 30 in total - so we are top!“

Responding to yesterday’s whispers that he had walked out on Liverpool, Benitez said the rumors had reached him but there was no truth in them.

He said:

“I was told about the rumors, that maybe something happened here at Anfield, but I will tell the fans I want to stay - my commitment is 100 per cent. If I can improve the squad I will be pleased, but if I can’t then I will stay to try and compete with the squad that we have.”

(Thanks to Rob at Off the Post)

Liverpool have confirmed a deal has been agreed to sign Greece international Sotirios Kyrgiakos, subject to the defender passing a medical.

It was revealed on Tuesday that Reds boss Rafa Benitez had lined up a move for the AEK Athens stopper to provide cover in his back-line.

Benitez revealed after his team's 4-0 win over Stoke City on Wednesday evening that the former Rangers centre-half is heading to Anfield.

Kyrgiakos is expected to arrive on Merseyside before the weekend to undergo a medical and he could be involved in next Monday's Premier League game against Aston Villa.

"We have nearly done the deal subject to a medical," Benitez told the club's official website. "He is a player with experience who can hopefully help us in defence. "He has experience in British football and Rangers. After that with Frankfurt and the national team. He's a good player in the air, strong and aggressive. We were looking for a player with experience. He will have the medical this week, it has to be before the weekend."

Benitez is currently without both Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel through injury, and started Spanish teenager Daniel Ayala alongside Jamie Carragher against Stoke.

Story spotted on Sky Sports

Liverpool are in the market for defensive reinforcements and it is believed they have lined up a move for AEK stopper Sotiris Kyrgiakos.

The Reds have been linked with the likes of Stoke's Ryan Shawcross and Hull's Michael Turner, but Kyrgiakos appears to be a cheaper option for Rafa Benitez.

With reports of Benitez having his transfer budget restricted Liverpool have switched their attentions to Kyrgiakos and they are believed to have agreed a €3million (£2.5million) fee with AEK for the 30-year-old.

Kyrgiakos is understood to have said his goodbyes to his AEK team-mates and is now thought to be travelling to England to hold talks with Liverpool officials and undergo a medical.

Manchester United have confirmed they have accepted a bid from Real Madrid for Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo's future at United has been the subject of constant speculation, with Real having trailed his signature for the last three summers.

Real president Florentino Perez has made no secret of the fact that he would like to lure Ronaldo to El Santiago Bernabeu.

The Spanish titans have now agreed an £80million offer for the Portuguese ace and United have given the World Player of the Year permission to talk to the capital club.

Ronaldo will head to the Spanish capital to hold discussions with Real and undergo a medical.

Real have already snapped up Brazilian superstar Kaka in a world-record deal, but a move for Ronaldo would significantly eclipse that figure.

"Manchester United have received a world-record, unconditional offer of £80million for Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid," read a club statement.

"At Cristiano's request - who has again expressed his desire to leave - and after discussion with the player's representatives, United have agreed to give Real Madrid permission to talk to the player.

"Matters are expected to be concluded by 30th June. The club will not comment until further notice."

Real confirmed the news in a brief statement on their website, adding that they hoped to finalise matters as soon as possible.

"Real Madrid confirm they have made an offer to Manchester United for the acquisition of the rights of the player Cristiano Ronaldo. The club hope to reach an agreement with the player in the next few days."

The news is bound to be greeted with some scepticism by United fans, who have repeatedly been told no deal had been agreed for the sale of FIFA's World Player of the Year in the face of regular statements from Spain the former Sporting Lisbon star was bound for the Bernabeu.

It was even suggested Ronaldo would be due a £20million compensation fee from Real if the deal did not go through by June 30, the date United now state themselves as when they expect matters to be concluded.

It now remains to be seen where the transfer fee could be reinvested in a squad that almost, but not quite, proved good enough to win back-to-back Champions League trophies, in addition to a hat-trick of Premier League titles.

The name of Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery is bound to crop up as a potential replacement, although the 27-year-old seems overpriced at the £40million figure being bandied about in some quarters, with Wigan's Antonio Valencia also in the frame.

Ferguson will certainly be making plans already to ensure his new faces are on board before United head to Asia for their pre-season tour.

Amid the frenzy over Ronaldo's impending departure, it is bound to be asked whether the current debt hanging over United of almost £700million has played any part in the decision to accept Real's huge bid.

*story spotted on www.skysports.com*

Goooooood Friday afternoon! Anyway, I came across this today and found this very interesting.

According to our lovely friends at Soccerway:

"English Premier League side Manchester City has offered Spanish champions Real Madrid 40 million euros (54 million dollars) for their striker Raul, Spanish sports daily Marca reported Friday. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the English side's billionaire backer, is willing to pay this amount plus any transfer fees to recruit the 31-year-old Spanish international, the newspaper added. Raul, a five-time La Liga winner and three-time Champions League victor, has been strongly recommended to Manchester City by Brazilian star Robinho, who the English side recruited from Real in a shock move in August 2008, it added. The player has reportedly sparked interest from other English top flight sides, including Newcastle and Liverpool. Raul is under contract with Real until 2011. Earlier this year he became the club's all time top scorer and he has scored 18 times in La Liga this season."

Insane claim? Maybe not... we will have to see.

Stuttgart preview to be up later today. ^^

I have been away from the news wires for one day and I find out this happens!??!?

According to our friends at the BBC,

"Liverpool centre-back Sami Hyypia has agreed to join Bayer Leverkusen on a two-year deal at the end of the season.

Hyypia underwent a medical with the German outfit on Monday and will link up with the club in the summer.

The 35-year-old Finn, who has been at Anfield for 10 years, made his debut for the Reds in August 1999 and has since made 317 league appearances.

He was a key player in the side which won the FA Cup, Worthington Cup and Uefa Cup in 2001.

A statement on Liverpool's website read: "Hyypia has earned legendary status at Anfield for the part he has played in the club's many successes over the past decade.

"He will leave Merseyside with the best wishes of every Liverpool supporter.""

All I have to say is that Bayer is getting one helluva player!!

More later, for me, I am off to bed. 'Night

Hello everyone! Happy Thursday! So, while writing this, I was going through a firedrill... So, I was thinking and thinking, while I was outside in the freezing cold waiting for the firetrucks to come, (The school always has to make our firedrills so....real) what should I write about today? There are so many things. For one, Guti isn't going to make it to El Clasico, Ribery saying that he wants to leave, and Mark Hughes saying that he is NOT after Eto'o. So, instead, here are some links for you to read on your own. (I am a little hurried, the class period ends in 15 minutes.)

Ribery open for possible departure from Bayern--SI.com

Barca stars blast Blues---Sky Sports

Hughes NOT after Eto'o---Sky Sports

Ronaldo questions ref...again

Toure hails Almunia---Sky Sports

Van ready to leave Everton

More later, but it is time for me to change classes. XD So, I will write back later during lunch.