World Football Gossip Roundup: Cristiano Ronaldo, Steven Gerrard, Theo Walcott

Why the long face, Ronnie? Your payday might be just around the corner.

Or, that is, just around the next transfer window.

Cristiano Ronaldo might be sad these days, but he won't be if he gets the money the rumor mill says he wants. That's the top story in this Sunday edition of the B/R World Football Gossip Roundup, but there's plenty more inside.

Read on for all the details.

Cristiano Ronaldo Wants to Be World's Highest-Paid Player

Cristiano Ronaldo wants to be the world's highest-paid footballer, and that desire has created tension between him and Real Madrid (via Daily Mail).

According to the report, Ronaldo wants a 50-percent pay raise to a net sum of £11.8 million per year. His earnings are affected by personal image rights and Spain's tax laws.

Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Manchester City are thought to be interested in signing Ronaldo from Real Madrid. Any potential bidding would begin with the same £80 million fee Real paid Manchester United for Ronaldo in 2009.

Sir Alex Ferguson Wants Stoppage Time out of Referees' Hands

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has called for the responsibility of keeping up with stoppage time to be taken away from referees (BBC Sport).

Ferguson's United lost to Tottenham 3-2 on Saturday, and afterward the Scot complained that the match did not feature enough stoppage time in the second half.

"They gave us four minutes [injury time], that's an insult to the game," said Ferguson. "It denies you a proper chance to win a football match."

He continued:

"

There were six substitutions, the trainer came on, so that's four minutes right away and the goalkeeper must have wasted about two or three minutes and they took their time at every goal kick. That's obvious to everyone today and it's a flaw in the game that the referee is responsible for time keeping. It's ridiculous that it's 2012 and the referee still has control of that.

"

United play at Newcastle next Sunday.

Manchester City, Liverpool Want Theo Walcott as a Striker?

Manchester City and Liverpool will try to entice Theo Walcott to leave Arsenal with the promise to let him play as a striker (via Daily Mail).

Walcott, 23, joined Arsenal in 2006 as a teenager but this season has fallen from first choice as a winger.

The England international reportedly wants to play as a striker, and with his contract set to expire following the current season, Walcott could be tempted by a move to either City or Liverpool.

Steven Gerrard: Title Would Be Miracle

Liverpool captain and midfielder Steven Gerrard has said it would be a "miracle" for Liverpool to win the title during his career (via Sky Sports).

Gerrard, 32, has played his entire career with Liverpool, becoming a professional in 1998. Liverpool have won two FA Cups and one Champions League title during his career, but never the league title.

He said that isn't likely to change:

"

There's not just (Manchester) United and Arsenal now but City, Chelsea and Tottenham. Newcastle coming as well. The Premier League has become a lot more difficult to win for everyone.

We were eighth last year. If this season goes well, we get a bit of luck, improve, we have an outside, no, a 50-50 chance of being in the top four. That's being realistic. It's achievable.

But even if we do sneak into the top four I'll be 33 at the end of the season, so that's why it'll be a miracle if we win the title before I finish. But I'll keep fighting. I'll keep trying and see what happens.

"

Liverpool finished second in 2001-02, seven points behind champions Arsenal.

Juventus Want Nani?

Italian champions Juventus are interested in signing Portuguese winger Nani from Manchester United (via Daily Mirror).

Nani, 25, joined United from Sporting Lisbon in 2007. United reportedly tried to sell him over the summer, but Nani's wage demands ended Zenit St. Petersburg's interest.

Juventus would pay about £12 million, well below United's £25 million valuation.

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