Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid;-Real Madrid president

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has revealed he will "work to bring Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo" to the Bernabeu.

Madrid are currently in negotiations to sign Kaka, while they have long been linked with a move for the Portugal international.

There continues to be speculation that they already have a deal in place for Ronaldo and although Perez insists he knows nothing about any such contract, he admits the 24-year-old is one of his main targets this summer.

"Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are the best players in the world," Perez told Atena 3. "I'm going to work to bring Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid.

"I've been here a few days and neither (former president, Vicente) Boluda nor anyone else has talked to me about this supposed agreement.

"What would be very good is to see these great players at Real Madrid this season. Cristiano would be one of these."

Perez is close to making his first signing since returning as president with Madrid on the verge of completing a world-record transfer deal for AC Milan playmaker Kaka.

It seemed yesterday as if Chelsea were about to hijack the bid but the Barclays Premier League club issued a statement denying reports they had made a £73.3 million offer to Milan, something which delights Perez,

"This statement is an advantage," he added. "If Chelsea are not competing with us it is good news.

"The problem wouldn't be the presentation of Kaka, the problem would be if we are capable of fixing it so he plays for Real Madrid.

"We have good relations with Milan. I'm a friend of (general manager, Adriano) Galliani which will make this agreement easier. Moreover, the player has shown his desire to play for us."

Steve Bruce become Sunderland manager

Sunderland have confirmed via their official website that Steve Bruce has signed a three year deal to become manager at the Stadium of Light. A mutually satisfactory deal for compensation has, according to Sky Sports News, been concluded between his former club Wigan Athletic and the Black Cats for compensation.

Bruce, originally from Corbridge in the Tyne Valley, grew up as a Newcastle United fan, which might have prejudiced his appointment in the eyes of many Mackems. However, Bob Stokoe, the man who won the FA Cup as manager for the club in 1973 was also a Geordie, and if Bruce can bring similar success then he will be hailed as a hero, whatever his roots.

It is unclear as to how much compensation has been agreed between the clubs, but the length of time the deal took to complete suggests negotiation between Black Cats chairman Niall Quinn and his Latics counterpart Dave Whelan, both recognised in English football as shrewd operators, was intense.

Quinn, the former Arsenal striker, was clearly very pleased to have snared his man, telling the club's website, "Steve will bring a professionalism and strength of character to this club that will really help to bring us forward to where we all want to be.

"He knows more than anyone what football means to people of this region and I'm confident that he will be able to instill into our players exactly what it means to play for this football club."

As reported yesterday earlier by Goal.com, Bruce will be taking Eric Black and Nigel Spink with him from Wigan as assistant manager and goalkeeping coach respectively. They will be joined by former Sunderland striker Bertschin, who will be reserve team coach - the role he fulfilled with Athletic from January 2008.

Kaka has agreed to join Real Madri

AC Milan star Kaka has agreed to join Real Madrid.News of his impending transfer to the La Liga giants has been gaining momentum since this afternoon when it was rumoured Milan vice president Adriano Galliani and Kaka's father/agent were in the capital to negotiate a deal.

The Spanish media later reported that a deal had been agreed for €65 million between the two clubs.

The former Ballon d'Or winner is currently on international duty with Brazil, but has allegedly given his stamp of approval to the deal. All that is missing is an official announcement from the two clubs, which is likely to arrive very shortly.

The 27-year-old made 31 appearances in Serie A this season for the Rossoneri, finding the back of the net 16 times in the process.

Gareth Barry. signed a five-year contract at Eastlands.

Manchester City have completed a surprise £12million transfer swoop for Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry.

The 28-year-old England midfielder has signed a five-year contract at Eastlands.

Barry, who was a target for Liverpool last summer, leaves Villa after 12 years and more than 400 matches.

City manager Mark Hughes is banking on the midfielder's experience in the domestic and international arena to take the club to the next level.

Hughes said: "Gareth is widely acknowledged as one of the top midfielders in the Premier League and that is a recommendation in itself.

"When players of his quality become available then you have to be in the market for them so we are absolutely delighted that we have been able to conclude this deal.

"The experience required to compete with the best in the Premier League is vital.

"With Gareth we get the experience of someone who has played week-in, week-out in the hardest league in the world.

"He plays at a level that has an impact on the game and we are thrilled that he is joining us."

Club captain Richard Dunne welcomed Barry on board.

"He is a really good player and a player the Aston Villa fans will really miss, " said the defender.

"It shows the pulling power of the club. It's the sort of signing the manager is looking for - players with Premier League experience who can push the squad on."

Barry has proved to be adaptable over the years and that is a trait that Hughes believes will serve City well.

"I like players that have the sort of flexibility that enables you to change your tactics if you need during a game, and Gareth has that," he told City's official website.

"He also has a range of passing that I am keen to introduce to the team, and he has got great delivery at set-plays as well. He will bring a lot to City.

"I have spoken to him briefly, and I will do at greater length soon. It is clear to everybody that being at City is going to be exciting in the future, and Gareth sees that."

Barry said: "I'm delighted to be joining City.

"It didn't take much persuasion from Mark Hughes, they are heading in the direction I want to go.

"There is great potential here, and I'm sure there will be a few more additions to the squad this summer."

GARETH BARRY FACTFILE

1981: Born, Hastings, February 23.

1997: Joins Aston Villa as a trainee from Brighton for £50,000.

1998: February 23 - Signs first professional contract at Villa.

May 2 - Makes debut as substitute in 3-1 Premier League win at Sheffield Wednesday.

May 10 - First start for Villa is in 1-0 home win over Arsenal.

November 17 - Makes England Under-21 debut in friendly against Czech Republic. Goes on to earn 27 caps.

1999: April 24 - Scores first Villa goal in 2-0 Premier League win over Nottingham Forest.

2000: May 31 - Makes senior England debut as substitute in 2-0 friendly win over Ukraine at Wembley.

June: Called up to England's Euro 2000 squad but does not feature during the tournament.

September 2 - Starts first senior England game in 1-1 draw with France in Paris.

2006: August 19 - Awarded Villa captaincy for opening Premier League game of the season at Arsenal and retains the job.

August 27 - Ends speculation about his future by signing a four-year contract at Villa.

2007: February 2 - Named in England squad for first time since 2003 for friendly against Spain.

October 28 - Becomes youngest player to make 300 Premier League appearances (aged 26 years 247 days), beating Frank Lampard's record.

2008: May 1 - Liverpool launch bid to buy Barry.

May 2 - Villa boss Martin O'Neill confirms Liverpool's bid but decries it as "a mish-mash of nameless player exchanges". O'Neill also criticises Liverpool for making their interest public.

June 1 - Scores first international goal in England's 3-0 friendly win in Trinidad and Tobago. Also captains England for the first time in second half of the game.

Describes Liverpool's interest as "flattering".

June 29 - Reveals he wants to join Liverpool and criticises O'Neill for not making enough effort to keep him at Villa Park.

July 2 - Barry is fined two weeks' wages and ordered not to return for pre-season training for his criticism of O'Neill. Villa reveal they have rejected another improved offer from Liverpool.

July 16 - Barry is permitted to return to training.

July 22 - Plays for Villa in a friendly at Walsall and is booed by the travelling supporters.

August 22 - Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger reveals his own interest in Barry.

August 27 - Barry's agent confirms the player will stay with Villa.

2009: May - Villa offer to make Barry their highest-paid player if he signs a new contract.

June 2 - Barry joins Manchester City for £12million.