The Stuart Attwell Gossip

NEW DEAL FOR RONALDO? Various rags this morning run with speculation that Manchester United are going to offer Cristiano Ronaldo a bumper new contract to ward off yet more interest from Real Madrid. Seems to have all started in The Sunday Telegraph yesterday, who claimed that Ferguson was scraping together enough pennies to chuck a £150,000-a-week deal at Ronaldo, hoping it would stick. No matter, it seems, that Ronaldo is a mere 18 months into a five-year deal worth a piffling £120,000-a-week. Tricky to live on that in these tough economic times, eh? However, The Times seems to p**s on the Telegraph's chips somewhat, carrying quotes from a 'United source' that read thusly: "There are no plans to offer Cristiano a new contract next summer." Seems pretty definite to us. UNITED & ARSENAL DUKE IT OUT FOR YOUNGSTER While some papers will have you believe they are pricking around trying to make Cristiano happy, The Daily Mirror claims they are busy scrapping with Arsenal for a youngster currently on Fulham's books. Dominic Vose is the name of this whipper-snapper, who the Mirror say has been labelled (presumably by The Daily Mirror) 'the new Paul Scholes'. Apparently Vose spent last week at Old Trafford, and in a footballing version of speed-dating will now have a look round Arsenal to see if that tickles his fancy more. In a 'no s**t' moment, the Mirror confirms to us that Fulham 'will demand a hefty compensation fee'. BECKS IN MORE LOAN TALKS More from The Daily Mirror, who reckon that David Beckham is already in talks over a second loan spell at AC Meeeeeelan. Apparently if his time in Italy turns out to be a success in 2009, he'll go back a year later in order to limber up for a spot in Fabio's 2010 World Cup squad. Assuming that England qualify of course. No chicken counting here. BOLTON WANT CORK And that's where the decent gossip ends. The only other thing of mild note to, err, note is that The Daily Mirror claims Bolton are sniffing around Chelsea whipper snapper Jack Cork. Thrilling stuff.