Transfer News and Speculation: 14 July

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Robinho, who has been linked with a move to Chelsea, insists he wants to stay at Real Madrid next season and has also declared he will not not be used in any deal to bring Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo to the Bernabeu. Robinho has been the subject of media speculation suggesting he could be the fall guy in Madrid's pursuit of the Manchester United ace.

One option appears that Robinho will be sold to another club in order to help fund a big-money bid for Ronaldo, while it has also been mooted that the 24-year-old Brazilian could be included in a part-exchange deal for the Portugal international. However, Robinho is adamant that neither of those options are preferable to him, telling Spanish newspaper AS: "I hope to remain at Real Madrid. I am not prepared to enter into the operation to sign Cristiano."

Meanwhile, the Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has admitted the club took a "gamble" in employing him. "Chelsea gambled on my ability but I believe in myself," he said. "I had two meetings with the owner Roman Abramovich [before getting the job]. He said to me, 'I want Chelsea to play well, beautiful and win'. I am not afraid."

Shittu fails to agree terms at Gers

Rangers were reported yesterday to have failed in an attempt to sign the Watford defender Danny Shittu, who has also been interesting Celtic. Rangers fixed a fee of £1.5m with the Championship club for the Nigeria international but were unable to agree terms with Shittu and are believed to have ended their interest in the player. Shittu, who joined Watford from Queen's Park Rangers for £1.6m two years ago, has been linked with several English Premier League clubs, too. Meanwhile, new signing Kenny Miller made his second Rangers debut as the team beat the German fourth division side Preussen Munster 1-0 thanks to Charlie Adam's first-half penalty.

Bluebirds expect Bent to sign today

Marcus Bent is set to sign for Cardiff from Charlton today. Cardiff say they have agreed a fee for the 30-year-old striker which is believed to be around £1m. Bent spent last season on loan at Wigan, scoring seven goals in the Premier League, but a permanent move to the JJB Stadium fell through.

Tigers in hunt for defender Rocha

Hull City are interested in the Tottenham defender Ricardo Rocha, who has not made a first-team appearance since Juande Ramos took over at White Hart Lane in October. Rocha met Hull's manager, Phil Brown, at the Premier League newcomers' training ground on Friday.

Johnson looks for London return

Everton manager David Moyes have been linked with a move for the Tottenham striker Darren Bent as Fulham emerged as the latest club to be interested in signing Andy Johnson. Bent is surplus to requirements at White Hart Lane, though a stumbling block to any deal could be Spurs' insistence on recouping most of the £16.5m the forward cost from Charlton last summer. Meanwhile, it is reported that Johnson, who joined Everton from Crystal Palace two years ago, is keener on a return to London. That will disappoint both Sunderland and Wigan, who are both strongly interested in the England forward, with Fulham expected to make a bid this week.