Transfer News and Speculation, 24 June

Cristiano Ronaldo's future at Manchester United remains up in the air after the Portuguese winger went on holiday yesterday.

Ronaldo said last week he needed an operation on a foot injury but he will now wait until his return from his break before a decision on surgery is taken. Talks on his possible record-breaking move to Real Madrid would have had to wait until next week anyway as United's chief executive, David Gill, is on holiday until then.

United continue to state Ronaldo is not for sale, but the Real coach, Bernd Schuster, insisted over the weekend they will get their man even if it costs a reported £80m transfer fee.

O'Neill steps up Sidwell chase

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill is set to step up his attempts to sign the Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell now that the player is back from holiday. O'Neill is hoping to agree a fee with Chelsea – probably in the region of £5m – and then hold talks with the former Reading player. The 25-year-old is one of O'Neill's main summer targets but Villa insisted reports last week that a deal had already been done were premature. Sidwell is also understood to be attracting interest from Middlesbrough and Everton but Villa sources are confident they can land the player.

Ameobi closes on Albion move

Shola Ameobi looks poised to move to West Bromwich after sources close to the player indicated the Newcastle striker was keen to play under Tony Mowbray. Mowbray is believed to be close to agreeing a deal in the region of £2.5-3m for the former England Under-21 player. Ameobi has scored 28 goals in 168 appearances at St James' Park.

Pole keen for Scottish deal

Poland midfielder Mariusz Lewandowski says he would love to play for Celtic. The 29-year-old Shakhtar Donetsk player, who is reportedly a target of the Scottish champions, started each of Poland's three matches at Euro 2008 and could join his international team-mate Artur Boruc at Celtic – against whom he played in the Champions League last season.

Milan reiterate Adebayor desire only target for Milan

The Milan vice president, Adriano Galliani, has reiterated his stance that Emmanuel Adebayor is their only transfer target this summer, but warned that a deal for the 24-year-old would be difficult. "At the moment there is only one deal in motion, and that's for Adebayor," he said. "Milan remain true to their word: either Adebayor comes or we keep things as they are."

YESTERDAY'S COMPLETED MOVES

Samir Nasri (Marseilles) to Arsenal......... £15.8m

Martin Paterson (Scunthorpe United) to Burnley ......... £1m

Sean Hessey (Chester City) to Macclesfield Town......... Free

Adam Newton (Peterborough United) to Brentford......... Free

Osei Sankofa (unattached) to Southend United ......... Free

Richard Walker (unattached) to Macclesfield Town......... Free