News

1. Manchester United assistant manager Carlos Queiroz has stepped into the row with Real Madrid over Cristiano Ronaldo by accusing the Spanish club of trying to "naturalise" the forward. Alex Ferguson's number two used historical references to explorer Christopher Columbus to put across his point to the Spanish champions, who have upset United in their dogged pursuit of the Portuguese winger. Earlier in the week, Real coach Bernd Schuster angered Ferguson with his claim that a deal to take Ronaldo to the Bernabeu this summer was as good as done.


2. Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has called for the club to abandon its strictly imposed salary cap for fear of losing their best players. The Dutch marksman has expressed his concern that the Gunners' wage policy is limiting the club's ability to compete with the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United. Already this summer, Mathieu Flamini has quit the Emirates to sign a far more lucrative deal with Milan and fellow midfielder Alexander Hleb is reportedly on the verge of penning a deal with Barcelona.


3. The Portuguese FA has confirmed Chelsea's interest in appointing Luis Felipe Scolari as their new manager. Chelsea are in the hunt for a new boss after parting company with Avram Grant last Saturday and a host of bosses from across Europe are believed to be contenders for the Stamford Bridge hot-seat. The likes of unsettled Inter chief Roberto Mancini, ex-Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard, Blackburn manager Mark Hughes and Russia coach Guus Hiddink are all understood to be targets. And, according to the Portuguese Football Federation's vice-president Amandio De Carvalho, Portugal manager Scolari - who is out of contract after Euro 2008 - is also on Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich's short-list.


4. Ipswich boss Jim Magilton is poised to make a move for Manchester City striker Emile Mpenza, according to the player's agent. The 29-year-old's contract is set to expire at Eastlands this summer and he is believed to be on the lookout for a new club. Ipswich first enquired about the availability of the Belgian international in March when a loan move was touted but an offer was subsequently rejected by the striker who said he was not fully fit.


5. Formula One world champion Kimi Raikkonen paid £160,000 for a 1974 Chevrolet Corvette owned by Hollywood actress Sharon Stone at a Monaco Grand Prix charity auction. The car, stored in Los Angeles and said to have just four miles on the clock, was one of the top lots at a glittering Amber Fashion show in aid of the Elton John Aids Foundation on Friday night.


all news from eurosport.com