Ronaldo all ears as Madrid move becomes a reality

The Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has confirmed the club's interest in signing the Internazionale striker Ronaldo.

Madrid's sporting director, Jorge Valdano, has already stated the club would make a move if Inter were willing to sell and, with the Brazilian said to be keen on the move, Perez has now clarified the situation. "Ronaldo is a great player but if we were to sign him it won't be at an exorbitant price," he said. "It's true we want to rejuvenate the squad and we still have all of August. What will happen will happen."

Ronaldo's World Cup team-mate Rivaldo has confirmed it was the return of Louis van Gaal to Barcelona that drove him out the Catalan club.

"Everybody knows I don't get on with Van Gaal and he doesn't get on with me but Barcelona preferred him to me," said the Brazilian World Cup winner, who joined Milan last week after being released from his contract a year early. "If I've ever said that I am a Barcelona fan that would be a lie. I never was."

The Scottish Premier League chairman Lex Gold has revealed details for a proposed North Atlantic League Cup to take place during the winter break.

"We are looking at the possibility together with the Dutch, the Belgians and the Danes," Gold said. "It is a cup competition along the lines we have talked about before. The top four clubs at the end of December will qualify to go into it. It would start with a league system and then go to knockout semi-final.

"It could start this season. We have sent details of this to all the clubs and we are looking for their comments to try and take this forward."

Preston's captain Sean Gregan has passed his medical with West Brom and is expected to complete his £2million switch to The Hawthorns tomorrow.

The former England captain Tony Adams has turned down the chance to extend his playing career in the United States, deciding instead to take some time out of football. Adams was offered a 12-month deal with the New York/New Jersey Metrostars.

Dennis Wise is likely to appeal against Leicester City's decision to sack him over an incident on the club's pre-season tour of Finland. Wise was dismissed by the club on Friday for gross misconduct after an incident which left his team-mate Callum Davidson with a fractured cheekbone.

The former Wimbledon striker Carl Leaburn has started a two-week trial with Torquay United.