A snippet of gossip from our friends at Popbitch

This Premier League star has had a cruel run with injuries. But don’t feel too sorry for him, feel sorry for the club that’s paid his wages. The previous season was also injury-hit but the star needed his contract renewed. He knew his injury wouldn’t hold up to much scrutiny from the medical team so he developed an illness which meant he had to stay away from training just about every other day. He trained, got a bit hurt, but then spent the next day at home with his leg in an ice bath, keeping the swelling down. He just about got through the medical, was awarded a new contract and then rather promptly broke down injured again.

We know who it is, but do you? Take a guess below…

Florentino Perez puts Dr Evil-style ransom on new star

Yesterday, Madrid-based paper AS told us about the “anti-sheik” clause in Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract - potential suitors would have to fork out for a buy-out clause of €200m before the Portuguese man-o’-sex could leave Los Blancos.

Today, however, the folks at the other Madrid paper, Marca, have insisted that this buy-out clause is actually five times larger than AS claimed.

That’s right, if anyone wishes to lure C-Ron away from the Bernabeu during the next six seasons, it will cost them a minimum of one billion Euros.

To put it into perspective, that kind of money could buy Real Madrid’s last 66 signings. It’s also enough to pay Joey Barton’s legal expenses for one year, and is thought to be the same amount that Harry Redknapp keeps in his mattress.

Astronomically high buy-out clauses are nothing new in Spain: Lionel Messi has a €150m clause on his deal, while Carles Puyol, Raul and Ruud van Nistelrooy can only be unshackled for €180m.

Oxygen thief midfielder is still raking it in

The frequency with which Newcastle Utd give the rest of the country a new reason to point and laugh at them is increasing at an alarming rate. The Sunday Telegraph provide the latest ammunition against the Toon club, with the revelation that since June 2007, they have been paying £675,000 a year for the image rights of Joey Barton. Yes, that’s the image rights of a vile criminal who uses other players’ faces as ashtrays:

Barton’s image rights payments - which work out at roughly £13,000 a week - are believed to be at least £200,000 higher than those of his best paid team-mates. While most high profile players receive just over 10 per cent of their basic salary, Barton, whose contract runs until 2012, is paid just over 20 per cent.

When a player signs for a club he has two options. Either he seeks to profit from selling his own image rights, or he lets the club use his image in exch­ange for an annual payment. This payment goes into the player’s ‘image company’, many of which are based offshore. Almost all players opt for the latter.

In news that is even more depressing than the fact that Guy Ritchie is still allowed to make films after Revolver, it has emerged that Barton earned £143,000 in image rights while serving a six month stint in prison for an abhorrent attack on a teenager outside McDonalds. Happy Monday morning everyone!

[Sunday Telegraph via Dirty Tackle]

Russian advises compatriots to double check their contracts

As if Arsene Wenger didn’t have enough to worry about. Now the season is over Andrei Arshavin has finally got round to the business of opening his bank statements, which were possibly lost amongst the plates and Heineken bottles on his kitchen table, and he’s not happy with what he sees:

“I have a problem with my contract. Certain nuances emerged linked to taxation and some other things. As a result, I’m getting less money than I expected.“

Andrei’s main problem seems to be he’s just realised the rate of taxation in Blighty isn’t as comfortable as the 13% he’s used to in Russia.

Argentinean could challenge third party ownership under EU law

It takes Wengeresque brain power to fully understand the intricacies of the Carlos Tevez transfer situation, but here are the bare facts: the Argentinian’s registration is owned by a third party named Media Sports Investments (MSI), the founder and president of which is his advisor Kia Joorabchian. His contract with MSI means he is not allowed to agree to anything without their consent. Manchester Utd have paid between £6m and £10m during his two year ‘loan deal’ at Old Trafford, and in order to secure his services next year, they will have to make up the rest of his £32m valuation.

The Sun’s Ian McGarry, however, suggests that Utd should not have to shell out a hefty transfer fee to keep their wet dog-alike: citing EU law, the journalist purports that Tevez can sign for the club any time he wants, provided his own personal terms are met.

Under the Bosman ruling,

Madrid club legend linked with big money move to Eastlands

When Florentino Perez takes the Real Madrid hotseat once again this summer, there are expected to be plenty of personnel changes. This morning, Spanish paper Marca have revealed that one player who may leave is club captain Raul, who has been presented with an offer from Manchester City that would earn him €40m over four years.

Raul - who has been with Los Merengues for seventeen years - is said to have been recommended to City bosses by former colleague Robinho, who praised his capacity as a team leader. Marca claim contact has already been made with Raul’s agent Gines Carvajal.

The Spoiler truth-o-meter: We really can’t see this one happening. Raul is Real Madrid, and he is expected to retire at the club. However, if the unthinkable did happen, and City deemed it appropriate to spend a fortune on a 31-year-old, the Madrid number seven shirt would be available for a certain Portuguese winger…

Also appearing on a computer near you…

If Chelsea fans feel hard done by, spare a thought for Hamburg, who were denied a UEFA Cup final place by a piece of paper
[Off The Post]

Adriano - who felt the need to tattoo his name on his forearm - is back in the game
[Dirty Tackle]

Theo Walcott earns a brand new £60k-a-week contract
[Daily Mail]

Contrary to popular opinion, John Terry is a true gent
[Pies]

The bookies bring bad news for Newcastle
[The Guardian]

Rugby WAG Kelly Brook poses for Nuts
[On205th]

Also appearing on a computer near you…

This young lad is already diving at a top flight level
[Dirty Tackle]

Forget what we said earlier, Stewart Downing has handed in a transfer request
[BBC]

Inter Milan may be lining up a swap deal for Adriano and Jo
[Daily Mail]

Arsenal could lose Theo Walcott and his rubbish shoulders for just £400k
[The Mirror]

Aaron Lennon to Liverpool?
[Caught Offside]

The players with expiring contracts in 2009
[Soccerlens]

Jermain Defoe is receiving death threats from angry Pompey fans
[SportsbyBrooks]