The 2012-13 English Player of the Year is set to sign a new contract with Tottenham, which should keep him at White Hart Lane for at least one more season, the London Evening Standard reports.

“Standard Sport understands the Wales international, who scored his 31st goal of the season in the 1-0 win over Sunderland yesterday, has committed his future to the club with a £130,000-a-week deal and will remain at White Hart Lane next season,” the report says.

“An announcement is expected to be made by the club shortly, which will provide Tottenham fans with a huge lift after losing their bid to beat Arsenal to a place in the top four.”

Bale, 23, signed a new contract after the 2011-12 season, but this latest one rewards him for yet another fine campaign. He led Spurs to a fifth-place finish in the league and the quarterfinal of the UEFA League. His fine form, especially in the second half of the season, saw him sweep the player of the year awards and add polish to an already glistening reputation.

Tottenham operates under tight salary constraints, but it is prepared to break it in order to give Bale a raise. A host of top clubs are reportedly interested in signing him, with the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester United, Manchester City and PSG in hot pursuit. Tottenham has no interest in selling the 23-year-old, as it hopes to build a team around him that is capable of challenging for domestic and European titles.

Tottenham has sold many of its star players in recent years, but it seems to be holding firm on Bale. Exactly how long it can keep him in North London remains to be seen. The report adds that Bale’s contract contains a clause which would allow him to leave in the summer of 2014 if an interested team offers over  £50 million ($76.1 million) for him.

Next summer is a long way off, and Bale will be a transfer target this summer. His new contract protects his value and strengthens his ties with Tottenham. It also makes it more difficult for another team to tempt him to force a transfer for the sake of more money. He already got it from a place he loves and is loved in return.

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The veteran midfielder is set to extend his Chelsea career into its 13th year. The Blues will offer him a new contract this week which he will happily sign, according to the Mail.

“And it also appears that — almost by weight of public demand — the west London club will award one of football’s nice guys with a further 12-month contract extension,” the report says.

Lampard’s good news comes just days after he broke the club’s all-time goal-scoring record. He scored twice on Saturday — his 202nd and 203rd goals in Chelsea colors — to pass Bobby Tambling‘s longstanding mark.

For much of the season, it looked like Chelsea would decline the chance to keep Lampard and let him leave as a free agent this summer. His existing contract expires in June and the L.A. Galaxy were leading the chase for Lampard, having offered him a lucrative contact to come to Major League Soccer.

Lampard considered the offer, but he always preferred to keep his family in England and finish his career at Stamford Bridge.

“I’d love to carry on as long as I feel I can do and I feel I’m fit,” Lampard told Sky Sports on Saturday. “I’d love to do that, for another three or four years. I’d love to emulate those boys.

“Ryan Giggs [has] got an aura around him. All the players at the club look up to him. He’s the mark.”

At the beginning of 2013, Chelsea was determined to move on from the era of the “Old Guard” (a group of influential veterans including Lampard, captain John Terry and Ashley Cole), but public pressure and the expected return of Jose Mourinho have made the Blues slow their revolution, according to the Star.

“Manager-in-waiting Jose Mourinho has persuaded owner Roman Abramovich to reward the club’s record scorer with a new contract, similar to the one fellow England star Ashley Cole signed earlier in the season.

“Chelsea had hoped to announce his deal prior to Wednesday’s [UEFA] Europa Cup Final against Benfica.

“But it is understood Lampard’s agent, Steve Kutner, was yesterday [Sunday] still trying to net the best possible terms.”

Lampard became a Chelsea and Premier League legend by marrying his talent with a fierce determination and commitment to professionalism. Those qualities helped him score double figures in the Premier League for ten straight seasons. His coaches, teammates and fans never lost sight of that legacy and they have seemingly made sure that Chelsea directors don’t either.

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Photo via Facebook/Chelsea Football Club

The English soccer star is determined to leave Manchester United this summer, having told outgoing manager Sir Alex Ferguson in late April that he is looking for a fresh start, according to the Telegraph.

Ferguson’s response to Rooney was that United would not sell him, and on Wednesday, a United spokesperson said “Wayne Rooney is not for sale.”

Rooney reportedly did not submit a formal transfer request, but he could do so in the coming weeks or months if he chooses to.

Bayern Munich, AS Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain are closely monitoring Rooney’s situation with an eye on launching a transfer bid for him, but they face competition from one of United’s domestic rivals.

“It is understood that Rooney, 27, has no desire to move away from the Premier League and that Chelsea is his most likely destination,” the Telegraph reports.

Interested clubs are expected to bid around £25 million ($38.9 million) to £30 million ($46.7) for the United forward. Chelsea has already made contact with Rooney’s agent and Blues’ owner Roman Abramovich has personally sanctioned a £30 million transfer, according to the Mirror.

Rooney’s future has been the subject of intense speculation in recent months, as his status on the team has diminished this season. Ferguson has made Robin van Persie the focal point of the United attack, and he now uses Rooney as a support striker or attacking midfielder instead of playing him closer to the opponents’ goal as in prior campaigns.

Rooney’s role was made clear in early March when Ferguson left him out of the starting lineup in a crucial UEFA Champions League game against Real Madrid. Reports claiming Ferguson had become frustrated with Rooney’s ongoing fitness issues and was ready to sell him dominated the headlines in the days following United’s Champions League exit.

Rooney’s contract expires in 2015, but it is common for players to either sign extensions or face transfers as they approach the final year of their existing deals. He is United’s highest-paid player, reportedly earning £250,000 a week. United officials are thought to be hesitant to continue making such a financial commitment to a player whose best days might be in the past.

Rooney and Ferguson clashed in October 2010 when the star forward requested a transfer, saying United lacked ambition. Ferguson convinced Rooney to sign a new contract five days later. The two were again at odds in December 2011 when Rooney broke curfew and Ferguson benched him in United’s next game.

But Ferguson will retire at the end of May. David Moyes will succeed the legendary United manager, and one of his first tasks as manager will be to address Rooney’s situation. It’s an interesting bit of symmetry, as it was Everton manager Moyes who sold Rooney to United in  2004 for £27 ($40.7 million).

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The Manchester United manager is considering retiring after this season, and he could make an announcement as early as this week, the Telegraph reports.

Ferguson, 71, has been United’s manager since 1986. The Red Devils clinched the 2012-13 Premier League title last month — their 13th under the legendary United boss.

It was thought that Ferguson would remain in charge for at least another season (perhaps grooming David Moyes to become his successor), but rumors saying he would step down immediately have gathered steam this week.

United’s press office has not commented on the reports. The club is partially listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and rules require it to promptly disclose information about changes to its management.

“With United now forced to adhere to the strict rules and regulations of the New York Stock Exchange in terms of the release of significant information relating to the running of the club following last August’s partial flotation, any change of management would fall within those requirements,” the Telegraph reports.

“As of Tuesday night, no statement over Ferguson’s future had been issued by United.

“However, with sources close to the players confirming that the squad’s golf day had been overshadowed by suggestions that the Scot would be making an announcement ahead of Sunday’s clash with Swansea at Old Trafford, any ongoing uncertainty is unlikely to be allowed to continue to the point where it would affect the confidence of investors and, in turn, United’s New York share price.”

Ferguson has been bullish about United’s future prospects in recent weeks. In his program notes ahead of last Sunday’s game against Chelsea, Ferguson said he looked forward to leading United into a new era of dominance.

“We will get better and if we apply ourselves in our normal fashion, I see our 20th league title as nothing but the start of another decade of success,” Ferguson wrote.

“Whether I will be here to oversee another decade of success remains to be seen, but I certainly don’t have any plans at the moment to walk away from what I believe will be something special and worth being around to see.”

The has often said his health would be a deciding factor in deciding when to retire. He will reportedly have an operation on his hip during the offseason, and some expect the procedure to keep him off the sidelines until September (next season starts in mid-August).

Few would have foreseen Ferguson walking away after winning the title in such emphatic fashion, but that appears to be a possibility.

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In recent days, British oddskmakers have drastically lowered the odds of Moyes becoming United’s next manager, the Mail reports.

Moyes has served as Everton’s manager with great distinction over the last 11 years, but his contract expires this summer and he has yet sign a new deal. He says he will decide his future after the current campaign, but it is thought that he is considering leaving the club in search of greener pastures.

United would offer Moyes the chance to manage a leading club but not right away. The Mail report says Moyes would join United this summer and serve as Ferguson’s assistant for one season while he learns the ins and outs of the club. Moyes would then replace Ferguson on the Old Trafford bench, when the legendary United manager retires after the 2013-14 season.

The Mirror reports Moyes’ rumored move to United have prompted British oddsmakers to slash the odds of him taking over for Ferguson. He started the season as the favorite with 6-1 odds, but those have been lowered to 1-2. The Mirror concludes with the most important piece of information regarding the Moyes to United rumor.

“Punters be warned though: If they really knew you wouldn’t be able to bet on it.”

That about says it all.

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Wenger is reportedly a leading contender to replace Carlo Ancelotti as PSG’s manager. He could leave the Arsenal bench for PSG’s as early as this summer, according to the Telegraph.

“PSG’s most senior figures have been telling members of their circle that Wenger has been persuaded to leave north London after 17 years in charge of Arsenal.

“Their least optimistic scenario is that he will move to Paris in the summer of 2014 when his current deal at Arsenal expires. But PSG’s owners have sounded adamant in recent days that they can tempt him to cross the channel 12 months early.

“[French newspaper] Le Parisien has reported that Wenger will meet PSG owners next week,” the report says.

Wenger and Arsenal are synonymous with one another, with the Frenchman having lead the club since 1996. The Gunners have won three Premier League titles and four FA Cups under his guidance, making him one of world’s soccer’s most respected and influential managers. But Arsenal has not won a trophy in eight seasons, and some fans are calling for a new manager to end the barren run.

But Wenger and Arsenal are coming to a crossroads. His contract expires after next season, and there have been conflicting reports as to whether or not Arsenal has already offered him a new deal. If the club wants him to continue past 2014, he certainly has yet to agree to do so.

Managers are often loathe to lead a team into a new season with only one year remaining on their contract, as a “lame duck” status can undermine them in the dressing room in difficult moments. This summer is shaping up to be a “moment of truth” for Wenger and Arsenal, but Wenger says he will remain at Arsenal for at least another season regardless of his contract situation.

“First of all I don’t know too much about what’s been said about me,” he said. “Then I’m concentrating on the next game and the next season. At the end of my contract I’ll see what I can do. I’ve always respected my contracts. I can’t see at my age why that should change.”

PSG has become a leading destination for Europe’s top players, coaches and executives since the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) took over the club in May 2011 and began pouring money into it. PSG has spent over £170 million ($264 million) on new players, transforming itself from a club which targets domestic honors to one that aims for European and global titles.

Ancelotti has led the charge in the French capital since December 2011, when he replaced Antoine Kombouare. The Italian steered PSG to a second-place finish in Ligue 1 in his first six months at the club. PSG’s on-field fortunes improved this season, as it is reached the quarterfinal of the UEFA Champions League and is closing in on its first Ligue 1 title since 1994.

Domestic glory may not be enough to keep Ancelotti and PSG from parting ways after this season,” the Telegraph reports.

“Ancelotti is understood to have told PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi last week that he would not be staying in Paris.”

PSG is reportedly eyeing Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho, but the Portuguese tactician is believed to be nearing a return to Chelsea FC. Meanwhile, Ancelotti has been tipped to replace Mourinho at Real Madrid.

PSG has a long-term goal of instilling more of a French identity (or public face) into the club, and Wenger is arguably the most respected French coach in the world. If the Arsenal manager decides it is time to leave North London for PSG, he would find himself at the center of one of the most exciting and ambitious projects world soccer has to offer.

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Less than two years later, a combination of personal and professional circumstances could see him leave his hometown for North London once again.

Barcelona would be willing to sell Fabregas for the right price this summer to raise funds for a rebuilding project, and Arsenal is the most likely destination, according to the Star.

“He does not want to quit his boyhood club — but has fired the exit rumours by trying to buy a £5.4 million ($8.4 million ) flat in London,” the report says.

“Fabregas’ girlfriend Daniella Semaan gave birth to the couple’s daughter Lia earlier this month and the pair are looking into bringing her up in England.

“He is under contract until June 2016 but has his World Cup place with the Spain team to worry about and could be tempted by the prospect of regular football in the Premier League.”

Fabregas was schooled in the Barcelona system before controversially signing with Arsenal as a 16-year-old in 2003. He spent eight seasons with the Gunners, rising from teenage prospect to club captain. His longstanding desire to return to Spain — particularly to play with Barcelona’s stars and for its former head coach Pep Guardiola – was the driving force behind his £30 million ($46.5 million) switch from Arsenal to Barca in August 2011.

But Fabregas, 25, hasn’t had the same impact at Barcelona that he had at Arsenal. He is not an automatic starter, as the presences of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi push him to the substitute’s bench or into unfamiliar positions — particularly in the biggest games. Tito Vilanova replaced Guardiola before the 2012-13 campaign, and Fabregas struggled to adapt to the new head coach’s tactical demands at the start of the season. He gradually worked his way into form, but his first two seasons at Barcelona have made him the subject of criticism from fans and the media.

Fabregas said he wants to stay at Barcelona for the rest of his career in February. Barcelona could have other ideas. The soon-to-be La Liga champion reportedly wants to sign either Mats Hummels or Vincent Kompany, as it looks to strengthen its creaky defense this summer. Both would command over £25 million ($38.7 million) in the transfer market, while Brazilian star Neymar could also join the club this summer for a fee that could exceed £50 million ($75.6 million). Selling a squad player (even one as talented and committed as Fabregas) to facilitate a key signing seems like a reasonable option.

Fabregas remains a devoted Arsenal fan. He reportedly watches his former team play every week. In January, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said he could see Fabregas returning in four or five years. The star report accelerates that timetable, but Arsenal will likely look to add a world-class player to its ranks this summer and it should have the funds to do so. Arsenal reportedly has first rights of refusal in the event Barcelona puts Fabregas on the transfer market, which could suit both clubs and the player himself.

The final and most important consideration is Fabregas’ relationship with Semaan and the birth of their infant daughter. If the parents want to raise Lia (and do it together) in England, it only makes sense that Fabregas would consider returning to the Premier League in the near future.

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For years, they have come here for preseason training, which includes playing exhibition games in packed stadiums. They will do so again this summer, but there will be a competitive aspect to those games.

Real Madrid, Juventus and Inter Milan will be among the eight top clubs that will compete in a new preseason tournament. The competition, called the International Champions Cup, will also include the L.A. Galaxy, Reuters reports.

The ICC’s first game will take place in Europe on July 27. The knockout competition will then migrate to the U.S. for seven days of games at venues across the country. The final games — for seventh place, fifth place, third place and the championship — will take place at Sun Life Stadium in Miami on August 6-7, according to the Miami Herald.

RSE Ventures is organizing the tournament. The Miami-based company will offer “significant” prize money and a trophy to the winner.

“What is different is that this is a real tournament,” Relevant Sports (the soccer arm of RSE Ventures) CEO Charlie Stillitano told Reuters. “Obviously in the past we have had friendly matches and some have been very successful.

“We are trying to bring a bit of that [UEFA] Champions League magic to preseason. We know it is not the Champions League but managers have told us they can’t go through preseason playing games that mean nothing.”

FOX Soccer Channel will reportedly broadcast the ICC, and fans in 150 countries will be able to watch it.

But the privilege of watching the world’s top players play meaningful games in person belongs to fans in one country – the United States.

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Michel Moulin served as an advisor to PSG in 2008, and he now owns and operates French media outlet Le Sport 10. On Sunday, he told a French television station that Manchester United will definitely sell Rooney to PSG this summer, the Mirror reports.

“I announce to you from trusted sources: Rooney to PSG is done,” Moulin said on Sunday. “He will be at PSG next season.”

Rooney’s future has been the subject of widespread speculation in recent weeks, after he was dropped from the starting lineup ahead of United’s UEFA Champions League game against Real Madrid in March.

Those reports suggest that United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has ongoing concerns about Rooney’s fitness. He and other club officials could be of the opinion that the 27-year-old’s best years are behind him and now is the time to move him out of the club.

Rooney’s contract reportedly pays him around £250,000-a-week. It expires in 2015, and this summer should see him either agree to an extension (in which he will reportedly face a pay cut) or move to another club.

Rumors of PSG’s interest in Rooney date back to last May, when the French club reportedly budgeted around £120 million ($184.7 million) to fund a potential move for the English star. AS Monaco is also reportedly ready to present Rooney a lucrative, tax-free option should he leave United this summer. If Moulin’s claims are correct, Rooney will be plying his trade in France’s capital city rather than in the principality in the south.

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Manchester City has reportedly already spoken to Gotze’s agents about a possible summer transfer, and it is willing pay Borussia Dortmund his £34 million ($52.4 million) buyout fee in order to sign him ahead of next season, according to the Mirror.

Meanwhile, Arsenal has a longstanding interest in the German playmaker. The Gunners could be ready to meet that fee as part of an expected summer spending spree.

“Goetze’s performances against City in the group stages of the [UEFA] Champions League have attracted the attention of sporting director Txiki Begiristain who is understood to have met with the player’s representatives,” the report says.

“[Arsenal manager] Arsene Wenger has been a long-term admirer of player in his search to replace Cesc Fabregas as the creative force in his team.”

Goetze, 20, has cemented his reputation in Germany as a top player who is only going to improve. The attacking midfielder has won two Bundesliga titles and one German Cup since breaking into Dortmund’s first team in 2010. He has also played 21 times for Germany’s national team, scoring four goals.

Dortmund hopes to keep him for the duration of his career, but that might not be possible. City, Arsenal and even Manchester United lead the contingent of English clubs that are thought to be interested in signing him. Leading clubs in Spain and Italy and France are likely monitoring his situation as well. Gotze even told FIFA.com that he wants to test himself in another country at some point in the future.

“I’m keeping my options open,” he said. “Clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester United are attractive, and playing in another top league would shape me and help me develop as a player. But I’m not thinking that far ahead at the moment. I’m happy in Germany and am delighted with the way things are going. Anything else is still a long way off. “

Gotze’s contract runs until 2016, so there’s little chance any interested club can buy him at a discount before 2014 at the earliest. Gotze himself would have to push for a transfer in order to convince Dortmund to sell him for anything less than his full buyout fee, and he has previously pledged to stay until at least 2014.

An expert sales pitch from Begiristain or Wenger could accelerate that timetable, but it’s more likely that Dortmund’s progress will do more to determine Gotze’s near-term future than anything. This season saw Bayern Munich reign supreme domestically, but Dortmund could win the Champions League. A Champions League winner’s medal just might convince Gotze that now is the time to leave his boyhood club.

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Photo via Facebook/Mario Gotze 

United is reportedly close to signing Radamel Falcao from Atletico Madrid. The Colombian striker is ready to leave the Spanish club this summer, and United has already made a down payment on his transfer to Old Trafford, according to Marca.

“Manchester United has every chance of being the team that Radamel Falcao joins for next season,” the report says. “Despite speculation in recent months linking him with Chelsea and even with Real Madrid, the fact is that the Old Trafford club is the best place to sign the Colombian forward. Sources close to both parties suggest that a down payment may have already been made as a guarantee for a future transfer.”

Falcao has established himself as one of the world’s premier strikers in recent years, showing lethal finishing ability and a knack for rising to the biggest of occasions. His scoring prowess helped Atletico Madrid win the UEFA Europa League and Super Cup in 2012. His 22 La Liga (Spain’s first division) goals this season have put the club in position to achieve its highest finish since 1996.

The 27-year-old has been the subject of widespread transfer speculation in recent months. Chelsea and Manchester City are two of the clubs which are reportedly prepared to pay his buyout clause of £51 million ($78 million) to land him this summer. Rumors of a secret agreement sending Falcao to Real Madrid arose in late 2012, but Atletico Madrid denied its existence. Marca reports that United will not pay the full value Falcao’s buyout clause, but any transfer fee for the marksman will be significant.

If Falcao moves to the Premier League club, he would join a corps of strikers which currently includes Robin van Persie, Danny Welbeck, Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez and Wayne Rooney. United is also expected to bid for Borussia Dortmund’s Polish star Robert Lewandowski during the summer transfer window, while Rooney and Hernandez have been linked with moves away from the club. It could be a summer of change for United and its stash of world-class forwards — especially if Falcao arrives.

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The standout goalkeeper for Real Madrid and the all-conquering Spanish national team has emerged as one of Arsenal’s transfer targets. The Premier League club is considering launching a £17 million ($26 million) transfer bid for Casillas this summer, the Star reports.

“The Spanish No. 1 has been a fixture at the Bernabeu for years but his future is in doubt after spending much of this season injured or dropped,” the report says.

“And he hinted at a possible move in an interview earlier this week, saying: ‘I want the fans to remember me as a player who wore the Real shirt with pride.’”

The idea of Casillas leaving Real Madrid was unthinkable until recently, as the 31-year-old has been Real Madrid’s starting goalkeeper for the better part of the last 13 years. He also serves as captain at his boyhood club — an honor which he has worn with great distinction over the years.

But Casillas has endured a difficult 2012-13 season.  He struggled with form and reportedly clashed with manager Jose Mourinho in the early months of the campaign. Mourinho even benched Casillas in December, marking the first time in over 10 years that the Real Madrid icon was healthy but did not start in goal. After recovering his starting spot, he suffered another setback. A broken hand he suffered in late January kept him out of action for two months and prompted Real Madrid to buy Diego Lopez near the close of that month’s transfer window. Club doctors have cleared Casillas to play again, but he remains on backup duty.

This season will most likely be Mourinho’s last at Real Madrid, and a new manager could conceivably restore Casillas to the status of undisputed starter. But Casillas’ problems at the Bernabeu could also extend beyond clashes with Mourinho. If those troubles are significant enough to make Casillas consider leaving the club, many clubs would jump at the chance to sign the star goalkeeper. His contract expires in 2015, so his transfer value will begin to fall after this summer, as he approaches the final year of his current deal.

Arsenal is thought to be in the market for a new goalkeeper, after starter Wojciech Szczesny struggled for much of the season. The Gunners reportedly want an experienced goalkeeper to challenge and mentor the 22-year-old. Casillas could provide that service, but it’s more likely that his arrival would end of Szczesny’s hopes of manning the Arsenal goal for the next decade.

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Photo via Facebook/Iker Casillas

Kompany defied City manager Roberto Mancini when he appeared for Belgium on March 26 after two months out with a calf injury. It caused a conflict between the two, and a trio of leading European clubs are monitoring the situation in case the rift widens, according to the Telegraph.

“Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are all on alert following the public club-versus-country row between Mancini and his captain,” the report says. “The trio … are long-term admirers of the Belgian, rated among the best central defenders in the world, and they are prepared to explore whether Kompany’s recent fallout with Mancini has any long-term consequences.”

Kompany joins a growing list of City players who have run afoul of Mancini, but his case comes at an especially awkward time. City struggled through the winter months and has all but conceded this year’s Premier League title race to Manchester United. It is starting to plan for next season, and the fit-again Kompany is expected to remain a cornerstone of its on-field efforts.

Few expect the rift between Mancini and Kompany to result in either leaving the club, as both signed long-term contract extensions in July. But if neither one takes steps to end the conflict, Bayern, Barcelona and Real Madrid would be more than willing to offer the towering defender a new beginning.

Barcelona reportedly wants Kompany as a long-term replacement for the aging Carles Puyol. The Mail reports that the Spanish champion-elect has already informed City of its interest in Kompany and is ready to bid £20 million ($30.4 million) for the 26-year-old. During normal times, City would not be in the business of selling its key players, but it could be tempted to do so if Kompany or Mancini force the issue.

Kompany joined City in 2008 from German club Hamburg SV. His arrival and development coincided with City’s rise to the top of the English game. Kompany’s defensive abilities and leadership have helped the club to FA Cup and Premier League glory in recent seasons. While the club expects to build on that success and become a regular contender for European and international honors., selling its captain and most influential defender to a continental rival would only slow that process.

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Photo via Twitter/@RAB_Sport

Should he take the Chelsea manager’s job at the end of the season, Mourinho will attempt to bring Cristiano Ronaldo to West London, according to the Express.

“[Chelsea owner Roman] Abramovich believes Mourinho has unfinished business at Chelsea and is prepared to welcome him back — with the cheque book open,” the report says.

“Once back in London he [Mourinho] will do his best to lure former Manchester United star Ronaldo away from Spain.

“Mourinho knows that the 28-year-old isn’t content at Real and will test the water with a £60 million ($91 million) offer.”

Mourinho is reportedly closing in on a sensational return to Stamford Bridge, nearly six years after he was fired from the same position. While most Chelsea fans would be delighted to welcome their former leader back to the club, the prospect of Ronaldo accompanying him would surely send them into a state of delirium.

Ronaldo is enjoying another stellar season, despite his reported desire to leave Real Madrid. Manchester United is thought to be preparing a blockbuster transfer offer with hopes of bringing the superstar forward back to Old Trafford, but Mourinho’s personal touch (and Abramovich’s wealth) could convince him to choose Chelsea instead. Mourinho and Ronaldo share the same agent, Jorge Mendes, which could also tip the scale in Chelsea’s favor.

Chelsea is transitioning from the era of the “Old Guard,” which rose to prominence during Mourinho’s first (and to this date, only) stint as manager. If the Portuguese tactician returns with Ronaldo in tow, the next era at Stamford Bridge could be even more “Special” than the one that is coming to a close.

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AS Monaco has offered has made Mancini a lucrative offer to replace Claudio Ranieri as its manager this summer. The three-year contract would pay Mancini around £7.3 million ($11 million) per season — tax-free. Monaco is also willing to give him £170 million ($258) to spend in the transfer market, according to the Mirror.

“Russian billionaire owner Dmitry Rybolovlev tried to lure the Manchester City boss to the Cote d’Azur last year,” the report says. “Now, the man ranked the 97th richest in the world by Forbes has returned with a stunning new offer of that vast kitty for signings, plus a three-year deal worth £22 million in wages.

“Rybololev is determined to take the Monte Carlo club back into the Champions League and challenge the Qatari-backed Paris Saint-Germain’s position as the kings of French football.”

Mancini and Monaco reportedly struck a secret deal in April 2012. At the time, it looked like City had no hope of winning the Premier League title race, and Mancini would likely be fired. But the Italian tactician led City to a stunning turnaround, and City captured the league title with a last-gasp goal on the season’s final day. City rewarded Mancini with a long-term contract extension, which made him the Premier League’s highest-paid manager.

Current Ligue 2 (French second division) leader Monaco wants to make a splash in its return to the French top flight. It is reportedly preparing transfer bids for City’s Carlos Tevez and Samir Nasri, as well as one for United star Wayne Rooney. Even if those rumored moves came to fruition, Mancini would still have around £100 million ($152 million) at his disposal.

On Thursday, Mancini conceded this year’s title to United, as City trails its crosstown rival by 15 points with nine games to play. The 48-year-old City boss is adamant that he retains the backing of City owner Sheihk Mansour, but he might be hedging his bets by listening to Monaco — like he reportedly did last year. Mancini’s public proclamations suggest he will be at City for the long haul, but things can change very quickly in this game.

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Nemanja Vidic is only starting to recover his form, but the Manchester United captain could be playing in Italy by the time he returns to his best level.

AC Milan has made Vidic its top summer transfer target, and United could be ready to part ways with its longtime defensive stalwart. The Italian club will bid £10 Million ($15.1 million) plus add-ons to land the Serbian defender, Goal.com reports.

“With a quality center-back the priority for the Rossoneri, their eyes have turned towards the Serbian, whose contract is set to expire in 2014,” the report says.

“He has featured in only 18 of a possible 44 club games so far this season, the first leg of his side’s crucial Champions League clash with Real Madrid among his higher-profile absences.

“Added to his contractual situation and age of 31, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson would be willing to entertain offers of £10 million or above for his skipper, despite any sale likely to prove unpopular with fans.”

Vidic is in his seventh season at United. The center-back is closing in on his fifth Premier League title with the Red Devils, adding to the three League Cups, one UEFA Champions League and one FIFA Club World Cup winners’ medals he has already earned at Old Trafford.

Calf and knee problems injuries have sidelined Vidic for much of the past 18 months, and the club is cautiously managing him back to peak fitness. His injury nightmare, combined with the emergence of a new generation of defenders at the club might have convinced Ferguson that the defender’s best years are behind him and his future lies elsewhere.

Despite his injury troubles, Vidic has continually attracted interest from around Europe. Real Madrid reportedly prepared a transfer bid before his first calf injury in August 2011. Juventus, Barcelona and Russia’s Anzhi Makhachkala have reportedly maintained their interests in him throughout the current season.

Milan is living in an age of financial restraint, so it is centering its rebuilding project around young players with high-potential. But Milan fans are not known for their patience. They will expect the club to shore up its defense as it hopes to contend for next season’s Serie A title.

Milan officials could see Vidic as a quick fix, while their United counterparts could be ready to usher another fading force out of the exit door.

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Photo via Faceboook/Nemanja Vidić

The self-proclaimed “Special One” has tentatively agreed to become Chelsea’s manager starting next season. A formal deal hinges on where Chelsea finishes in the Premier League and the makeup of the senior management team, according to the Star.

“The 50-year-old has not agreed to go back to Stamford Bridge yet, because he does not want to be disrespectful to Real Madrid,” the report says.

“He also is not keen on taking charge at Stamford Bridge if the Blues do not qualify for the Champions League.

“Mourinho is also believed to have a list of demands that include getting rid of chief executive Ron Gourlay and technical director Michael Emenalo.

“He has a list of transfer targets, which he will want assurances over.”

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has reached the conclusion that Mourinho is the best person to unite the club and lead it into the future. Abramovich reportedly offered Mourinho a three-year contract, which the Portuguese tactician agreed to but did not sign. If the report is correct, it would signal a dramatic change of course (and perhaps an admission of failure) on the part of the hands-on Russian billionaire.

Mourinho managed the Blues from 2004-07, winning four major trophies and a world of admiration. But his tenure at Stamford Bridge came to a stunning end in September 2007 when he was fired after losing a power-struggle with Abramovich. Mourinho has successfully managed Inter Milan (2008-10) and Real Madrid (2010-present) since then. Mourinho and Abramovich have reportedly mended their rift, and the two communicate on a regular basis.

Many expect Mourinho to leave Real Madrid at the end of this season. Paris Saint-Germain reportedly wants to bring him to France, but Chelsea could have the inside track. Mourinho recently bought a house in West London, and his 16-year-old daughter has enrolled in a school nearby.

Should Mourinho return to Chelsea, he would replace Rafa Benitez. The current Chelsea manager is unpopular with the fans and is expected to leave the club when his interim contract expires in the summer. Abramovich apparently believes Mourinho is the man to correct the mistakes of the past and bring that special sizzle back to Chelsea.

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The Blues are determined to beat their Premier League rivals to Fellaini’s signature. They hope a £25 million ($38 million) transfer offer and a long-term contract will lure the Belgian midfielder from Everton to West London, according to the Star.

“The Londoners had hoped to sign him during the last transfer window but a deal couldn’t be thrashed out by all the parties involved,” the report claims.

“Fellaini’s form has dipped since he was subjected to the transfer speculation and Everton might just now feel the time is right to sell.

“Chelsea are believed to be ready to offer a five-year deal with wages of £4.5 ($6.9 million).”

Fellaini has been a driving force behind Everton’s success in recent seasons. His physical presence and all-action displays have made him one of the Premier League’s leading midfielders.

Those same qualities have also turned the 25-year-old into one of the league’s most sought-after players. His contract reportedly contains a buyout clause of around £22 million ($33.5 million), which puts him within reach of the league’s richest clubs. Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City are expected to bid for the Everton star’s services. Leading clubs from continental Europe could join the race in the coming weeks.

Everton bought Fellaini from Belgium’s Standard Liege in 2008. He more than justified the club-record £15 million ($22.8 million) transfer fee over the course of the last five seasons. But last fall, he said he revealed his desire to play for one of Europe’s top clubs and compete for the game’s most prestigious trophies. Those comments, combined with reports of the buyout clause, launched widespread speculation about his future, which has continued throughout the current season.

Barring a late surge, Everton will finish outside of the top four and fail to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League. It’s likely that Fellaini will listen to offers from clubs playing in Europe’s elite competition and call time on his Everton career. It’s tough to tell where he prefers to play. He recently moved from Liverpool to Manchester, but that was only because the Merseyside women wouldn’t leave him alone. Chelsea hopes he hasn’t settled into his new digs and will consider moving again — this time to posh West London.

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The Spanish giant wants to sign the City star this summer, and it will make a transfer bid of at least £45 million ($68.2 million) to pry him from City’s grasp. Aguero would then be willing to leave Manchester for Madrid in order to be closer to his family, according to the Star.

“Aguero is becoming disillusioned with life in Manchester following the break-up of his marriage to Diego Maradona‘s daughter Giannina,” the report claims.

“Giannina now spends most of her time in Madrid with the couple’s son Ben and Aguero has told close friends he is finding it ‘impossible’ to be apart from him.”

Aguero is one of world soccer’s premier strikers, scoring prolifically for both City and Argentina. The 24-year-old joined City from Atletico Madrid in summer 2011 for a club-record £38 million ($57.6 million) and led it to the Premier League title in his first season in England. The 2012-13 campaign has been tougher on Aguero, as his form has suffered due to family issues and injuries.

He could make a seamless return to La Liga (Spanish first division), having already played five seasons there. Real Madrid fans would likely welcome him, despite his previous service to crosstown rival Atletico Madrid.

Real Madrid should be active in the summer transfer window. Manager Jose Mourinho, star forward Cristiano Ronaldo  and a few others are expected to leave the club, which will spark a massive squad reconstruction project. Aguero is reportedly Madrid’s top transfer target, and his arrival would not only ease the blow of Ronaldo’s departure, but also help the re-election prospects of club president Florentino Perez.

City will not relish the thought of losing its top striker, but the reported fee will help it buy Aguero’s replacement. Radamel Falcao and Edinson Cavani are among the top strikers City is expected to pursue this summer.

Last year, Maradona said that Aguero had made a “mistake” in joining City. This summer the player known as “Kun” just might take his former father-in-law’s advice and correct that error. Real Madrid, City and Aguero could all benefit from the move, but the real winner would be young Ben, who would once again have his father close by.

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Toure’s agent has given City until Saturday to offer his client a contract extension. If the Premier League club fails to do so, the Ivorian midfielder will leave the club after the 2012-13 season, the Mirror reports.

“If he signs a contract in the next three or four days, okay,” Dimitri Seluk said. “If not, we will not wait any longer and will start negotiations with different clubs.

“Today is Tuesday, so it means by Saturday. We will say, ‘Thank you. Okay. Yaya will leave in May.’

“I do not feel he will stay at City. This is not about money. He wants to leave for many reasons. He is one of the best players at the club but does not feel the respect of the staff. Only [manager] Roberto Mancini respects Yaya.

“It’s strange. It’s not normal to have negotiations for six months without a contract. They have been talking about small details all this time.”

The 29-year-old is arguably City’s most influential player, and one of the Premier League’s leading lights. His ability to control and alter games from the midfield is one of the chief reasons behind City’s rise to elite status in recent seasons.

Toure could invoke Article 17 of FIFA’s transfer regulations — the so-called “Webster Ruling” – under which he could buy out the remaining two years of his current contract and leave City as a free agent. Real Madrid, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, PSG and Barcelona are thought to be potential destinations for the player who joined City in summer 2010 for £24 million ($36.3 million).

Toure’s contract saga began just days after City won the 2011-12 Premier League title when Seluk told a Spanish radio station that Toure was looking for a new challenge. Many considered it a negotiating ploy on Seluk’s part. Discussions over a new contract have taken place at various times this season, but the parties have not been able to reach an agreement. In December, Toure said he wanted to finish his career at City, according to the BBC.

“I would love to end my career here,” Toure told City’s website. “Nobody knows what the next step is in football and I believe that if you stop dreaming, you should stop playing football, but this is where I want to be. There is no other place I would rather finish with and I want to continue winning titles and trophies with City.

“I believe we are just at the beginning of our journey,” he added. “We want to make history and that was part of my plan when I first signed. We’ve made a start but there is so many more chapters to be written.”

Last month, the Star reported that Toure’s camp has been expecting a five-year,  £55 million ($83.2 million) offer from City, but Seluk’s recent outburst suggests that it has yet to materialize. He could be trying to push City to make the offer quickly, and he is using Article 17 as leverage.

Should Toure actually leave the club this summer, it will strike a blow to City’s hopes of reclaiming the Premier League crown and becoming a European force in 2013-14.

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