Arsenal told to pay 12m for Chamakh August 3, 2009 BORDEAUX have told Arsenal to double their £6m offer for Marouane Chamakh or forget about signing the Morocco striker. Chamakh, 25, is furious at his club’s hard-line stance and is threatening to leave for nothing next summer when his contract expires. But the French champions’ president Jean-Louis Triaud is determined that their prize asset will [...]
Benitez lines up Aquilani to replace Real-bound Alonso August 3, 2009 LIVERPOOL boss Rafael Benitez has wasted no time in replacing Xabi Alonso by closing in on the signing of Roma’s Alberto Aquilani. Reports in Europe suggest Benitez has already had a £15.2m bid for the midfielder accepted by the Italian club, while his representatives were thrashing out a deal with big-spending Real over the future [...]
RFU ban Bath trio but cut bans to nine months August 3, 2009 FORMER Bath trio Michael Lipman, Alex Crockett and Andrew Higgins were last night banned for nine months after being found guilty of failing to submit to drug tests. But the Rugby Football Union reduced their sentences from 15 months on the basis of good character and concerns over legal advice they were given. And the [...]
Woods savours 69th Tour win August 3, 2009 GOLF: Tiger Woods admitted his Buick Open victory in Michigan was extra special after recovering from a nightmare start. The world No1 shot a disappointing opening 71 before hitting back with rounds of 63, 65 and 69 to finish on 20-under-par and win by three shots. “This one feels good,” Woods said after a 69th [...]
Chelsea rubbish Cole rumours August 3, 2009 FOOTBALL: Chelsea have ruled out the sale of Joe Cole, following reports that Tottenham were planning a £10m bid for the England midfielder. “Chelsea is not, and will not be, considering any offers for Joe Cole,” said a club statement. “Our sole focus, as is Joe’s, is to complete his rehab and get him fit [...]
Victory is still in our hands, says Flintoff August 2, 2009 ALL-ROUNDER Andrew Flintoff believes England are still in the box seat ahead of a potentially thrilling final day of the third Ashes Test with Australia at Edgbaston today. Flintoff top scored with a fine 74 – his highest innings on home soil since the 2005 series – to hand the hosts a healthy 113-run first [...]
Strauss will have dreamt August 2, 2009 ANDREW STRAUSS will have sat in his hotel room last night with a notepad in one hand and a calculator in the other, working out just how to force a positive result against the Australians at Edgbaston today. Unfortunately, the deluge in Birmingham these past few days has ruined, potentially, a fantastic Test match, but [...]
Boss Wenger mulling over Vieira return August 2, 2009 ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger admits he is still pondering over whether to go against his morals and bring back former captain Patrick Vieira.Wenger has always been a staunch believer in never going back, but says he is sorely tempted by the prospect of making the French midfielder an exception to the rule. Vieira left for [...]
Lescott absence is blamed on injury as Redknapp denies making Bassong bid August 2, 2009 EVERTON boss David Moyes last night played down speculation over Joleon Lescott’s future at the club after the England defender was absent from yesterday’s friendly at Coventry. Lescott is at the centre of an intense public pursuit by Manchester City, who are reportedly ready to table an offer of around £22m for the 26-year-old this [...]
Sir Bobby Robson’s family ‘overwhelmed’ by tributes August 2, 2009 THE family of Sir Bobby Robson have said they are “humbled and overwhelmed” by the public response to his death on Friday. The County Durham-born former England manager lost his long battle against cancer at the age of 76. Around 15,000 supporters have visited Newcastle’s St James’ Park over the weekend to lay flowers, banners, [...]