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Florentino Perez is looking to regain control of Real Madrid by dangling an especially tantalising carrot in front of the club's membership: one Steven Gerrard.

Perez, you may remember, was the flamboyant former president of Los Merengues who brought superstars Luis Figo, Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham and Thomas Gravesen to the club.

The so-called 'galactico' era could be about to return after Ramon Calderon became the latest to fall on the sword of big promises to the gente, while temporary man in charge Vicente Boluda has shown himself unfit to lead the club longer-term after wild predictions of a 3-0 victory over Liverpool. Even Boluda's name translates to something unprintable.

He has admitted as much by calling early elections, perhaps as early as the final day of the season, and Perez is hot favourite to take back over.

However, despite reports that - unlike his successors - he would be capable of luring Cristiano Ronaldo or Kaka to the Bernabeu, according to As he has trained his sights on Anfield, with Gerrard and Xabi Alonso the men he desires.

Gerrard is admired in Spain for his never-say-die, all-action attitude, which can still be seen within the Spanish champions' ranks in legendary striker Raul - and more recently in the tough tackling of 'Lass' Diarra.

But, with Barcelona back to their best in midweek and Real dropping points last weekend, perhaps the days when they could lure the likes of Tommy Grav are long gone.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez, meanwhile, is expected to sign a new five-year deal by the end of next week.

Whether all bets are off this time is unclear, but if not GS advises you keep your readies in your pocket - the Benitez saga has endured more twists than flagship teen slasher Scream, and without the hot chicks getting butchered.

Manchester United's players are set to bag around £9 million in bonuses if they complete the quintuple, with top players taking home an extra £400,000 each. It's no wonder they're always getting robbed.

And United fans will be pleased to see that Ronaldo has got his priorities right: "Will I ever play in Italy? Never say never: I went there last summer and they have the sexiest girls in the world."

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has refuted reports that the club have renewed their interest in crisis club Valencia's star striker David Villa while the player's agent has sais he will not leave Spain.

"There was interest shown just before Christmas," he told Sky. "We were told the prices of certain players and we walked away.

"Obviously, a question has been asked to people at Valencia, 'Has there been contact with Manchester City?' Yes, there was, but it was some months ago and it hasn't been revisited since then."

Jose Luis Tamargo meanwhile told El Mundo Deportivo: "He will not move from Spain, he's very clear on that. It's not a question of money."

After news that Afonso Alves is keen to try out Portugal's special line in fast food outlets - it's McDonald's again, let's not kid ourselves - Mohamed Shawky is the latest player looking to end his Middlesbrough hell.

Shawky, who joined from Al Ahly two years ago and is contracted until 2010, is set for a return to Egypt.

Newcastle's star has fallen so low that even Rangers players no longer want to go there. Algeria defender Madjid Bougherra said he would gladly snub a double-your-money move to play in the Premier League with the Magpies.

West Ham have agreed a £10m compensation deal with Sheffield United over the Carlos Tevez affair; the Hammers will be allowed to spread the payments over five years to safeguard the future of the club.

Amr Zaki, whose loan move at Wigan ends in June, is wanted by French clubs Lens and Marseille, while Hull are planning several big-money European signings in the summer if Phil Brown can keep them up and Aston Villa reject Marlon Harewood is a £2m target for Wolves.

And as a final thought: Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov, not satisfied in meddling with team selection, has turned his lust for power to an entire country.

Romanov has launched a bid to become president of Lithuania, although doubts have been raised over whether will be able to stand as he was born in Russia.

Jonathan Symcox / Eurosport