
| Posted: Monday August 7, 2006 10:58AM; Updated: Monday August 7, 2006 10:58AM According to reports in France, Franck Ribery will be playing in the white of Real Madrid this season. Lyon, Arsenal and Manchester United have all been linked with the player, but fresh reports claim that Ribery's move to Real is a done deal. Chelsea striker Hernan Crespo is expected to join Inter on loan early this week. Crespo, who joined Chelsea from Inter in 2003, was loaned to AC Milan for the 2004/05 season. The BBC reports that the Argentine is willing to cut his wages to join the Italian club. With Ashley Cole set to join Chelsea this week, Arsene Wenger will need to find a suitable replacement -- and fast. The obvious choice would be to draft in Mathieu Flamini, the French central midfielder. Manchester United is being strongly linked with a move for Bayern Munich midfielder Owen Hargreaves. The Daily Star claims that United boss Alex Ferguson is keen to add the England international to his ranks before the transfer window closes. Travel issues along with other details have cancelled Carlos Villagra's transfer to the Turkish Superleague. He will stay for the remainder of the tournament with Pasto, although his future after that is uncertain. Portsmouth is stepping up its bids to recruit three major signings with manager Harry Redknapp closing in on England internationals Sol Campbell and David James as well as Peruvian left back Juan Vargas. Bolton striker Jared Borgetti is close to leaving the Reebok Stadium to join Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad after the two clubs reached agreement this weekend. Aston Villa skipper Olof Mellberg is set to commit himself to the club following the departure of David O'Leary and new boss Martin O'Neill's arrival. Coventry's attempt to bolster their strikeforce has been scuppered after Ipswich rejected an approach from the Sky Blues. As well as fighting off interest in star striker Gary McSheffrey, Micky Adams wants to add another striker to his squad and Parkin is the latest option. Bristol City is hoping to sign Hearts midfielder Lee Johnson. The 25-year-old is the son of City boss Gary Johnson. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||