Sir Alex Ferguson is set to accept a £30million bid from Real Madrid for Ruud van Nistelrooy - so he can land Wayne Rooney, according to The Sun.

The Manchester United board will not go to £30million for Rooney unless Ferguson sells.

There has reportedly been frantic activity Real, van Nisterooy’s agent and United during Euro 2004.

Ideally Ferguson would not want to let van Nistelrooy leave, but the old Trafford boss is said to be desperate to get Rooney.

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Michael Owen is ready to pledge his future to Liverpool even if Steven Gerrard joins Chelsea in a British record transfer. (Daily Express)

Anfield officials remain confident the striker will sign a short-term deal with talks set to resume following Owen’s return from Euro 2004.

The England star, who has a year to run on his current contract, is said to be dismayed at the prospect of seeing Gerrard leave Liverpool in a £35million move.

But he is tipped to extend his stay and work with new boss Rafael Benitez.

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Veteran French defender Bixente Lizarazu looks set to snub Tottenham in the first major setback for new manager Jacques Santini, report the Daily Express.

The full-back was expected to follow Santini to Spurs, but now he seems likely to sign for Marseilles instead.

Lizarazu, who is out of contract with Bayern Munich, has had talks with Marseille and could even join later this week.

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Leeds are ready to accept defeat in their battle to keep teenager James Milner and agree his £4million transfer to Newcastle. (Mirror, Express)

Cash-strapped Leeds will be unable to resist Sir Bobby Robson’s £4million offer.

Manchester United are unwilling to go that high while Aston Villa do not have the cash.

Leeds skipper Dominic Matteo also looks set to quit the club for Blackburn this week in a £1.5million deal.

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Chelsea are ready to sell striker Adrian Mutu, according to the Daily Mirror.

Juventus are reportedly in talks about taking Mutu back to Serie A, either on loan or for a reasonable fee.

New Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho apparently wants a quick decision as he also has interest in Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Eidur Gudjohnsen from other clubs and has to weigh up who to let go and who to keep.