August 27th
Ronaldinho: Expected to remain at Barcelona
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Wales were comprehensively beaten 34-7 by France at the Millennium Stadium today. |  |
Monday, 27, Aug 2007 12:05
Chelsea may have been unaccustomedly quiet in the transfer market this summer, but that could all be about to change with the arrival of Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho.
The club's Russian billionaire owner Roman Abramovich has courted the Barcelona forward since his takeover of the club four seasons ago, and is prepared to meet his £85 million minimum fee release clause.
But Barca, runners-up in La Liga last year, are adamant their star player will remain at the Nou Camp for the remaining three years of his contract.
Elsewhere strikers dominate most of the transfer rumours, with Sunderland emerging as frontrunners to sign Southampton's Kenwyne Jones.
The Trinidadian had warned the Saints he was prepared to go on strike if they rebuffed a big money bid from Premiership newcomers Derby.
If the Rams miss out on Jones, Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp is willing to offload David Nugent just months into his Fratton Park career.
Redknapp wants to use the money to fund the acquisitions of Bolton's wantaway forward Nicolas Anelka and Fulham midfielder Papa Bouba Diop, who has been told he is surplus to requirements at Craven Cottage by new manager Lawrie Sanchez.
Blackburn Rovers' Benni McCarthy, a bargain purchase from Porto at the beginning of last season, is wanted at ever-hungry West Ham, while Celtic hitman Kenny Miller has been linked with a move to a hatful of Premier League clubs, including Everton, Fulham and Manchester City.
And finally, following the arrival of Brazilian right-back Juliano Belletti at Stamford Bridge, Aston Villa have emerged as favourites to sign Chelsea's Glen Johnson.