Premiership News and Transfers

Cristiano Ronaldo has passed his final Real Madrid medical and waspresented at the Bernabeu on Monday evening.
The 24-year-old has already agreed a six-year deal as he nears the conclusion of his £80m move from Manchester Unitedto Madrid. Carlos Diez, Real Madrid's medical chief, told www.realmadrid.com: "(Ronaldo) is in perfect condition and very eager to start the season as soon as possible.""He has an extraordinary cardiac and lung capacity. We have complemented everything that we already did in Portugal and done all the specific tests."Now we will be able to start working using an individual plan in order to improve his performance."For him (Ronaldo), it's a dream, and this dream starts to convert into reality from today.

Ben Foster has put pen-to-paper on his new four-year contract at Old Trafford, with the keeper committing to the club until June 2013.As revealed at the end of last month that the United shot-stopper had agreed to extend his stay and he has now finally confirmed the new Old Trafford deal. The 25-year-old has been been badly hampered by injury problems in recent seasons, but is still seen by Sir Alex Ferguson as the successor to Edwin van der Sar.Foster, who is targeting a place in the England squad for next year's World Cup in South Africa, proved his quality during his loan spell at Watford and in patches with United and is happy to commit to the champions.

Michael Owen believes his move to Manchester United will help him force his way back into the England squad.
The former Liverpool and Real Madrid hotshot has fallen down the pecking order since Fabio Capellotook charge of the national side but Owen feels his move to United will improve his chances of an England recall ahead of the World Cup in 2010. "Obviously if I am fit and playing well then I have got a better chance of getting back into the England squad and I am sure my team-mates, with their quality, will help me to do that," Owen told Sky Sports News."If I play well then I'd like to think I can force my way back in. There are internationals coming up and I'd be a fool to say I wouldn't want to be a part of it."I think I have 89 caps for England and it would be great to add to that. There is a burning desire to do well for whatever team I play for."Owen has a record of 40 goals in 89 appearances for England but the striker has hardly played since Capello took charge and was left out of the last round of World Cup qualifiers.

Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel is set to pledge his future to the club by penning a new five-year deal.
The Nigerian ace still has a year to run on his current deal but there have been rumours suggesting that Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho is lining up a swoop for the player. However, his agent John Shittu says the midfielder is on the verge of committing his future and the deal should be signed sooner rather than later."He will sign the deal early this week," he told Kick Off Nigeria. "Some of the club officials were away, but they were expected back last weekend. As soon as everybody is in, we will sign the new contract."It is a very good deal for him and would put him at par with some of the top earners in the club."


Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce has ruled out a swoop for Ruud van Nistelrooy as the striker struggles with injury.
Allardyce is desperate to land a new striker and had spoken of his desire to land the Real Madrid ace, after the Dutchman fell down the pecking order at the Bernabeu. However, the striker is out injured until September and Allardyce says that is no good to him as he needs someone who is fit and raring to go now.The Rovers boss also believes the player's wages would be a problem and any chance of a move looks to be dead in the water."I think probably Ruud, from a salary point of view, is out of our reach," he said. "And I think he is not going to be fit until September, so that is not going to be what we are looking for at the moment."We need someone right now who can join up with the squad as soon as we can."

Chris Coleman remains hopeful that Coventry will be able to get Sunderland winger Jordan Henderson back at the Ricoh Arena on loan.

The 19-year-old impressed during his spell with the Sky Blues last season, playing 13 games for Coventry, with Coleman looking to sign him on a temporary basis again. With Sunderland having plenty of money to spend on new signings following their takeover in May, the Coventry boss hopes the Black Cats will feel they can afford the teenager to gain some first-team experience elsewhere.Coleman revealed to the Coventry Telegraph: "I put a call into Sunderland last week but Steve Bruce is still away."We have had contact with them and nothing has been decided, but we are still hopeful."

Birmingham have completed the club record signing of Ecuador striker Christian Benitez, for a fee that could rise to £8million.
The 23-year-old has been a summer-long target for Blues but a knee problem led to claims that the deal would have to be renegotiated with his club Santos Laguna. But both parties have now reached an agreement and Benitez, who is currently recovering after shoulder surgery, has signed a three-year deal at St Andrews.Speaking about the move, Benitez said: "I am really happy to have signed for Birmingham City and am looking forward to playing for the Blues."I think it is the right time for Christian Benitez to take on the challenge of the Premier League and I will be giving everything to score as many goals as possible and share in good times with this club."A work permit should not be an issue for the club, as Benitez has played in 86 per cent of Ecuador's competitive matches - well above the required amount


Sunderland are being linked with a move for Tottenham striker Robbie Keane, while Darren Bent also remains a target.
Black Cats boss Steve Bruce has made finding a new striker one of his top priorities this summer and Bent is known to be high on his list of potential signings. Reports now claim that fellow Spurs striker Keane has been added to that list should a move for Bent fail to materialise.Keane only rejoined Tottenham in January after leaving for Liverpool last summer, but it has been suggested another sharp exit could be on the cards as Harry Redknapp looks to generate his own transfer funds.Aston Villa have also been linked with a move for the player.

Fiorentina have admitted they would be willing to swap Brazilian midfielder Felipe Melo for Arsenal full-back Emmanuel Eboue
.The Gunners hopes of landing the player looked to have been dashed last week when he signed a new one-year deal with the Serie A club, while midfielder only yesterday insisted he wants to stay in Florence. However, Fiorentina sporting director Pantaleo Corvino has now claimed that Arsene Wenger is trying to get in touch over a swap deal and has hinted they could be ready to do business."Arsenal manager (Arsene) Wenger wants to talk to me," Corvino told Gazzetta dello Sport. "I have no objection also because Eboue seems a valid swap."Eboue would no doubt jump at the chance of a move after becoming frustrated with his lack of first-team opportunities at the Emirates Stadium.