Sunday's paper gossip round-up
Monday, October 1, 2012 at 12:05 AM | by Ben McAleer 
Ronaldo set for Real exit, City and Liverpool battle it out for Arsenal ace and Juventus prepare move for United star.
Cristiano Ronaldo's desire to become the highest paid player in the world has caused a rift with Real Madrid and alerted Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City. Bidding for the 27-year-old forward would begin at the £80m mark, the price Manchester United sold him for in 2009.
Manchester City and Liverpool have promised to play Theo Walcott as a striker, rather than keep him in the winger role he occupies for Arsenal. The 23-year-old's current contract expires at the end of the season.
The agent of Getafe midfielder Abdel Barrada has said that Manchester City are watching the 23-year-old.
Manchester United winger Nani is a £12m transfer target for Serie A champions Juventus.
And United boss Sir Alex Ferguson could replace the Portuguese winger with Blackpool's Thomas Ince - son of former United man Paul - with the sides close to agreeing a £6m fee.
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy will demand a large compensation package from Blackburn if the Championship side want technical co-ordinator Tim Sherwood to replace Steve Kean as manager at Ewood Park.
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has urged Rio Ferdinand to end his England career. Ferguson said: "Rio could do the job for England, no doubt about that — but I don't see why he should. He should concentrate on his career here, that's what I'd prefer."
QPR chairman Tony Fernandes says manager Mark Hughes "is the best thing to happen to QPR." The London club are bottom of the Premier League but Fernandes has urged fans to "keep the faith."
Full Story: Tony Fernandes on Twitter
Chelsea captain John Terry was again snubbed during the pre-match handshakes at Arsenal on Saturday - by Gunners mascot Gunnersaurus.
Liverpool plan to offer 18-year-old playmaker Suso an improved contract. The Spaniard was handed his first Premier League start in his club's 5-2 victory at Norwich on Saturday.
Manager Sam Allardyce's hopes of a new West Ham deal depend on whether he guides the side to Premier League safety. The 57-year-old's current contract expires at the end of the season.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich's declaration that no player over the age of 30 will be given more than a one-year contract extension could lead to the exits of 31-year-old left-back Ashley Cole, 31-year-old captain John Terry and 34-year-old midfielder Frank Lampard.
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard admits it will be "a miracle" if he wins the Premier League title at Anfield before he retires. The 32-year-old says: "There's not just Manchester United and Arsenal now but Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham and Newcastle coming as well."
Full Story: The Sunday Times (Full subscription required)
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane is set for a surprise return to management with Turkish side Kasimpasa, who are based in Istanbul.
Rangers chief executive Charles Green told an audience of the club's fans in Northern Ireland that, as a mark of protest, they will never again play in the Scottish Premier League as long as he is in charge at Ibrox.
Full Story: Scotland on Sunday
Former St Johnstone, Hearts and Motherwell midfielder Kevin Twaddle says he lost more than £1m because of a gambling addiction that drove him to the brink of suicide.
London mayor Boris Johnson scored an own goal in a radio general knowledge quiz when he incorrectly named Bobby Moore as the scorer of England's 1966 World Cup final hat-trick instead of Geoff Hurst.
