Summer Transfer Gossip: Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Suarez, Diego Costa

For the first time in what seems like an age, Gareth Bale is not dominating the majority of the back pages of the British newspapers.

The Tottenham man does command a chunk of column inches, but there's a lot of chatter surrounding Manchester United right now—concerning players coming in and going out.

Cross your fingers, United fans. There's talk that Cristiano Ronaldo could return. There are also reports about Wayne Rooney moving on.

It's a busy, busy day, but we've got all the angles covered in the Friday edition of the B/R Summer Transfer Gossip roundup.

United in the Hunt for Cristiano Ronaldo

There has been much talk on how Real Madrid will fit Gareth Bale in alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, but the Daily Star is claiming that might not happen in a "world exclusive" on Ronaldo possibly heading back to Manchester United.

Real are increasingly confident that they will prise Bale away from Tottenham, but the Duncan Wright of the Daily Star claims Ronaldo could head out of the Real door just as Bale arrives.

In his piece, Wright says:

"

United and Real Madrid have spent the past 12 days negotiating an £80m package – and the Premier League champions are increasingly confident of getting their man.

David Moyes made his move two weeks ago when the club heard through the grapevine Madrid had stepped up their interest in signing Gareth Bale.

And for the first time they found their Spanish rivals prepared to negotiate after the player told them he would be interested in returning to England.

"

Wright claims Real president Florentino Perez elected to speak to United when being informed that Ronaldo was far from certain to sign a new deal at the club.

Will It Be Boo Hoo for Wayne Rooney?

"Play nicely, Manchester United fans."

That would appear to be the message to take from Martin Blackburn's report in The Sun (subscription) with regard to Wayne Rooney's future.

Blackburn's back-page splash reads "Boo Roo and he'll be Blue"—suggesting the reception Rooney receives from the fans in Rio Ferdinand's testimonial will be key as to whether the forward presses on with a move to Chelsea.

A Ferdinand XI will face Sevilla on August 9. Blackburn's report states: "If he is greeted by a chorus of boos, Rooney will know there is little chance of him rebuilding bridges at the club."

The Sevilla game will be Rooney's first appearance at Old Trafford since Sir Alex Ferguson revealed the striker had asked to leave.  

Chelsea have been trailing Rooney for most of the summer, with Blues boss Jose Mourinho keen to sign the striker.  

Luis Suarez's Contract Clause 'Fury'

The summer has ticked over into August and the Luis Suarez saga shows no signs of reaching a conclusion any time soon.

Arsenal continue to be linked with the forward, but Arsene Wenger appears to be biding his time after seeing bids rejected by Liverpool, as he has claimed he is happy with his squad.

The Reds are adamant that the clause Suarez claims to have in his contract that would allow him to leave if a bid of over £40 million is tabled does not exist. However, there is a fresh twist, according to the Mirror's John Cross.

Cross claims the Suarez camp feel they had an agreement with Liverpool that would allow him to move on if a bid of £35 million-plus was made by a club in the Champions League.

Suarez's agent, Pere Guardiola, has told Liverpool of Suarez's fury, according to Cross. However, the report states the club are confident in their position.

Spurs' Supermarket Sweep

Gareth Bale is not yet out of the Tottenham door, but the Mirror's Darren Lewis claims the club are already planning a spending spree.

Confusion still surrounds the future of Bale, with Real Madrid pushing to sign the Wales international, but Lewis reports that Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas and chairman Daniel Levy have drawn up a list of targets.

A deal is already in place to sign striker Roberto Soldado from Valencia, reports the club's website, but that deal may be just the tip of the iceberg.

Lewis says Ajax's Christian Eriksen, QPR's Loic Remy, Wigan's Callum McManaman and Miralem Pjanic of Roma could all feature in a "supermarket sweep."

Reds Ready to Spend Big on Diego Costa

Liverpool have made a move for Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa, according to a number of UK newspapers.

The Daily Mail’s Dominic King reports that the Reds have tabled a €25 million bid to trigger a release clause in the striker’s contract.

According to King, the deal would make Costa the fourth most expensive signing in the club’s history behind Andy Carroll (£35m), Fernando Torres (£26m) and Luis Suarez (£22.8m).

A powerful forward at 6'2", Costa is not being signed as a replacement for Suarez, according to King. Rather, manager Brendan Rodgers wants added competition for places up front. 

Bits and Pieces: Darren Bent, Papiss Cisse, Peter Odemwingie

Cardiff City have resurrected their interest in unsettled West Brom striker Peter Odemwingie, according to Simon Jones in the Daily Mail.

Jones has been busy overnight as he also makes the claim that Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse, who recently settled his differences with the club over their Wonga sponsorship, has emerged as a target for Turkish side Trabzonspor.

The Daily Star’s Gary Jones says Everton have tabled a £7.8 million bid for Verona midfielder Jorginho.

Darren Bent seems likely to head out of Aston Villa this summer and the Guardian's David Hytner says Fulham are confident of landing the striker in a £5 million deal.