Football news

Cristiano Ronaldo is set to open talks over a new deal at Manchester United, his agents have announced.

Real Madrid's efforts to sign Ronaldo was one of the transfer sagas of last summer, but now the Portuguese, who is favourite for the World and European Footballer of the Year awards, appears keen on pledging his future to United.

Gestiftute, run by Jorge Mendes, claim a new deal is a distinct possibility. "It is normal, that a footballer wants a deal to go with his status and one that matches his performances," Gestifute said.

"But nobody has prepared anything concrete. We want to avoid all these rumours in the press and will have contact with United."

Credit crunch warning for Liverpool

Liverpool have been warned they could face financial problems in January and may be obliged to sell up.

Keith Harris, who has brokered takeover deals for five Premier League clubs, believes Liverpool and Merseyside rivals Everton are set to feel the pinch of the credit crunch.

Reds owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have two months to pay back a reported £350 million worth of debt.

"The one that worries me is Liverpool," Harris said.

"Liverpool's debt is due in January, with maybe a six-month extension. The two banks which are the principal lenders - the Royal Bank of Scotland and Wachovia - are two of those that have suffered. Whether they want to lend it again or not, they may not be able to."

Moore undergoes surgery for cancer

Australia defender Craig Moore has undergone surgery for testicular cancer, his management said yesterday.

The 32-year-old former Rangers and Newcastle player was diagnosed with cancer last week and underwent the procedure on Tuesday. He will miss the World Cup qualifier in Bahrain on November 19.

Moore, who now plays for Queensland Roar in the Australian A-League, has been told by his urologist the outlook was good.

Del Piero reveals Ballon d'Or dream

Alessandro Del Piero has revealed his desire to win the Ballon d'Or before retirement but insisted he's not giving it too much thought.

The 34-year-old is in excellent form and earned a standing ovation at the Bernabeu after his brace over Real Madrid in a Champions League match last week.

"It was a very special evening in Madrid, one to put in the top spots of my career for the atmosphere and the two goals, which were real gems," said the Juventus captain.

Del Piero has won several honours in his career, including the World Cup with Italy in 2006, but he has never received the European Footballer of the Year award.

"It would make me very happy to win it, but I certainly won't lose sleep over it," the Juve stalwart said.

Juventus linked with Rossi

Juventus are pondering a fresh bid for young Italian striker Giuseppe Rossi, according to media reports.

The Turin outfit have long been admirers of the former Manchester United hitman but their advances to sign Rossi last summer were rebuffed by the Primera Liga side.

However, according to Tuttosport, Juventus are now prepared to increase their offer considerably to sign Rossi. Juve will need to meet Villarreal's massive rescission clause, which is reported to be around £24 million.

Rossi, who is under contract until 2013, scored11 goals in his first season in La Liga.

Hargreaves career in surgeon's hands

Owen Hargreaves's football career is in the hands of leading knee specialist Dr Richard Steadman.

The Colorado-based surgeon has already operated on Hargreaves's right knee and declared it a success. In a few weeks, he will do the same procedure on Hargreaves's left knee.

The 27-year-old may have managed 37 appearances for Manchester United since his £18 million arrival from Bayern Munich last year but at no point has he been free of pain.

"Hopefully this has got to the bottom of it and we will get him back fit for next season," said United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Canadian-born midfielder has been restricted to just three outings this term, one of them an effective performance against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Pompey coaching role for Metgod

Former Nottingham Forest and Tottenham midfielder John Metgod has been appointed first-team coach at Portsmouth.

The 50-year-old has quit his scouting role at Dutch side Feyenoord and signed a three-year deal to join new Pompey boss Tony Adams at Fratton Park.

The role had been vacant since Joe Jordan joined former Ports-mouth manager Harry Redknapp at Spurs on Saturday.

Adams had previously appr-oached former Arsenal team-mate Martin Keown about joining Portsmouth's backroom staff, but the 42-year-old rejected the offer to concentrate on his media duties.