Everton Aaron Ramsey transfer threat

Jun 6 2008 by Chris Beesley, Liverpool Daily Post

EVERTON’S chances of landing Cardiff City midfielder Aaron Ramsey could be handed a major blow after it was reported that Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo has publicly declared his desire to play for Real Madrid.

Manager David Moyes has broken off his holidays to return to Merseyside and meet with the 17-year-old Welsh under-21s international who has already been in negotiations with Manchester United.

The newly-crowned European champions initially looked like clear favourites to sign the highly-rated youngster, who has played just 22 senior matches for the Bluebirds, but has already caught the attention of several top Premier League clubs, especially after reports suggested they might loan him back to Cardiff next season to continue his development.

However, with Everton matching the Red Devils’ £5million offer, the Goodison Park outfit were hopeful that the lure of more regular first team football would help persuade Ramsey to join them instead.

Ramsey is expected to discuss the option of a transfer to Goodison with Moyes within the next 24 hours but Ronaldo’s supposed admission that he would be willing to accept a move to Real Madrid which would make him both the world’s highest paid and most expensive footballer could scupper Everton’s plans.

The Spanish champions, who last week claimed that they were willing to accept United’s decision that the Portuguese international was not for sale, now claim they are willing to pay 100million euros (approximately £80m) for him and give him a £15m annual salary.

Ronaldo, who insisted he will not be drawn on the subject again until after the European Championship finals, which start for his country against Turkey tomorrow night, said: “I want to play for Real Madrid, but only if it is true they are eager to pay me and Manchester United what they have been saying they will.”

If Ronaldo does head for the Spanish capital then the void in the United squad could convince Ramsey that there may also be considerable first team chances at Old Trafford under a manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, who also blooded a fellow precotious talent from Wales in Ryan Giggs at a similar age with the Cardiff-born winger having now become both the club’s record appearance holder and most-decorated player.

In Everton’s favour, Moyes can point to his impressive record of developing young players with little or no top flight experience into Premier League stars.

The most recent of his gems, Phil Jagielka has spoken at having his first England cap confirmed. The former Sheffield United man played 45 minutes of England’s 3-0 victory over Trinidad & Tobago in Port of Spain on Sunday.

Reports on Thursday suggested there was a danger the match could be struck from the record books by FIFA as England made seven substitutions in the contest and under standard FIFA rules only six substitutes are permitted in friendly matches.

However, England successfully argued they had received special dispensation to make an additional substitution in the match and FIFA have subsequently confirmed the game will be allowed to remain a full international.

It means Jagielka, along with Manchester City’s Joe Hart, West Ham’s Dean Ashton and Blackburn’s former Liverpool full-back Stephen Warnock will not be denied their first England caps.

Jagielka said: “It has been a bit of a rollercoaster in the last couple of weeks. I was buzzing about getting my first cap and playing half the game but it was strange this morning when I woke up and heard on the radio that FIFA weren’t happy.

“I would have been gutted if the game had been wiped out of the record books and I had been denied my first international cap.”

Jagielka added: “It was great to be involved and I want more of it. I would love to go on and get a full international cap.

“I haven’t actually received my cap yet – but I have one from last year when I played in the ‘B’ international and a couple of Under-21 caps as well, so I am really excited about adding a senior cap to the collection.

“The trip was a great experience and although it was a long time away at the end of a long season it was well worth it.”