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Sir Alex Ferguson has reportedly canceled a trip to Lisbon to attend to more pressing business in England, and the “business” seems to be that of signing Tottenham and Bulgaria striker Dimitar Berbatov.

Spurs had rejected Manchester United’s advances for Berba last season, when United had tabled an offer thought to be in the region of 20 million pounds. It is alleged that a similar offer did not interest the Londoners this year either. However, United might be able to swing a deal at around 25 million pounds, or maybe 30 million, which includes deferred payments based on the player and the club’s performances.

Two years ago, Fergie flew to Portugal to persuade Cristiano Ronaldo to stay at Old Trafford, in the aftermath of the Wayne Rooney red card in the quarterfinal of the 2006 World Cup. This time, though, the gaffer seems to have decided that he will not be lured into what is now becoming an annual ritual to convince Ronaldo to rebuff Real’s advances.

It is known that the Glazers have offered the Scot upto 50 million pounds for transfers this summer. Any offer for Berbatov would mean that, even if Ronaldo stays at United, the club will have enough cash to pursue at least one other big name player.

Tottenham are expected to go after Arsenal (and United) target Roque Santa Cruz from Blackburn Rovers with the money raised from Berbatov’s transfer to United.

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Cristiano Ronaldo might not feature in a competitive game until October, the Portuguese national team’s physiotherapist Antonio Gaspar has revealed. Gaspar has also said that he is in touch with the Manchester United back room staff as well as the surgeon who operated on Ronaldo.

This news is bound to dampen spirits at Real Madrid, as it decreases the possibility of a transfer. At the very least, it is bound to decrease Real’s offer for the Portuguese star man. Incidentally, Fabio Cannavaro, Real Madrid and Italy defender, has said that Ronaldo must respect his contract with United, another indictment of Sepp Blatter’s stupid remarks about slavery in modern football.

The news from Portugal does also mean that Manchester United have to do without their top goalscorer for the past couple of seasons for at least six weeks into the new season. Sir Alex Ferguson had earlier suggested that United are in the market for just one player. If he does not buy a cover for Ronaldo, then expect to see a plethora of players — Darren Fletcher, Nani, Owen Hargreaves, Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez — being tried on the wings.

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Image via WikipediaThe Peter Crouch transfer saga has finally come to close, with Portsmouth unveiling the player earlier today. Pompey had to cough up £11 million to persuade Liverpool to part company with the lanky England forward.

Some good news from the Emirates, as Arsenal have completed the signing of Olympique Marseille ace, Samir Nasri. The Frenchman is thought to have signed a four-year deal with the Gunners. The arrival of Nasri, who plays as a left midfielder is set to hasten Alexander Hleb’s departure.

Paul Ince has offered his former Liverpool teammate Robbie Fowler a shot at the big time at Blackburn Rovers. Fowler will leave Cardiff City to join Blackburn’s pre-season training.

Cristiano Ronaldo has done himself no favours with the Manchester United hierarchy by claiming that he supports FIFA President Sepp Blatter’s foolish remarks about how clubs are treating their players as slaves.

At Liverpool, Rafael Benitez is hot on the heels of Tottenham striker Robbie Keane. Spurs have reacted to the news by stepping up their pursuit of Espanyol striker Luis García.

Sporting Lisbon have claimed that they have received no offers for Manchester United and Arsenal target Miguel Veloso.

Of the clubs newly promoted to the Premier League, Hull City seem the most active, having now competed the signing of George Boateng from Middlesbrough.

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