NOTW:
Chelsea have made a sensational swoop for Manchester United striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy.
The Premiership champions targeted the Dutch hitman after United moved for Blues forward Eidur Gudjohnsen.
The News of the World can reveal Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon secretly met Van Nistelrooy's representative Rodger Linse in Paris on Wednesday and agreed personal terms on a switch.
Unbelievably, Chelsea's moneybags owner Roman Abramovich is still close to splashing £47million on AC Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko. He will make a decision about his future on Wednesday. And the Blues remain in talks with Real Madrid's full-back Roberto Carlos, who confirmed he has been offered a two-year deal to sign for Jose Mourinho.
A Chelsea insider said: "Jose would alter the structure of his entire side if he could bring in Van Nistelrooy and Shevchenko. They would not only terrorise the Premier League but the whole of Europe as well."
Red Issue's Redeye Sanctuary post 10/05/06:
CQ vs Keane & Ruud for past two years - now both players are gone.
Ruud, for all his faults and obvious slyness, did at least seem to develop SOME feeling for the club, though of course he has looked after his back too and will now play hardball. wait til you hear what Linse is cooking up with Chelsea today!