United bid 16m for Valencia but old foes Real are lurking June 7, 2009 MANCHESTER United and Real Madrid look set to resume hostilities in the transfer market this week as the race to sign Luis Antonio Valencia heats up. Wigan wide man Valencia’s displays last season earned him plenty of admirers and it is understood that both United and Real have lodged bids in excess of £16m. The [...]
Capello to be without Ferdinand for Andorra June 7, 2009 ENGLAND could all but guarantee their place at next summer’s World Cup with victory over Andorra on Wednesday – but they will have to do so without defender Rio Ferdinand. Head coach Fabio Capello had hoped to have the Manchester United player available for their second group six match within four days, having rested him [...]
Ribery set to snub Blues over fears of grey skies June 7, 2009 CHELSEA target Franck Ribery has appeared to rule out a move to England – because he is put off by the prospect of bad weather. Bayern Munich winger Ribery looks set to leave Bayern Munich this summer, with the Blues rivalling Manchester United, Real Madrid and Barcelona for his signature. But the £45m-rated Frenchman, who [...]
Newcastle takeover bid attracts local attention June 7, 2009 Mike Ashley could be close to escape from his controversial spell as owner of Newcastle United after it was revealed there was “real and decent interest” in the football club from more than one Tyneside party. Sports Direct owner Ashley is desperate to sell the club, which was relegated from the Premier League last month, [...]
Sea The Stars set to shine brighter than O’Brien six June 4, 2009 DERBY DAY is always one of the highlights of the British sporting calendar and thousands will make the pilgrimage to Epsom Downs tomorrow to watch the biggest flat race of them all. Arthur Budgett, a legend in the world of racing, will be one of those 100,000 spectators as he is guest of honour at [...]
The INSIDER June 4, 2009 There has been plenty written this week about the Ballydoyle Six and the main focus has been on whether Johnny Murtagh has picked the right one in Rip Van Winkle. I’m of the opinion that Johnny is right. So what does that mean? It means that SEA THE STARS will win the Investec Derby on [...]
Sariska to prove she is Epsom’s First Lady June 4, 2009 THE OPENING day of the Investec Derby Festival at Epsom Downs racecourse is Ladies Day. The most fashionable and stylish lady on the course will win a new car if she wins the ‘Style on the Downs’ competition after lunch, while at around 4.09pm, an equine lady will be crowned winner of the 2009 Investec [...]
Captain Colly has success in his sights June 4, 2009 CAPTAIN Paul Collingwood believes his England side have what it takes to cause an upset and lift the World Twenty20 trophy on home soil. Colllingwood is looking to become the first England skipper to lift a major international trophy and says his men are in good spirits following their recent one-day success over the West [...]
Safina and Kuznetsova to meet in all-Russian final June 4, 2009 WORLD No1 Dinara Safina admits she is deperate to win her first Grand Slam after beating Dominika Cibulkova to set up an all-Russian French Open final. Safina got away with an error-strewn performance against the Slovakian 20th seed to win 6-3, 6-3, and take another step closer to her first major title. Last year’s runner-up [...]
Fancied Sariska has competition in the perfect starter at Epsom June 4, 2009 THE Oaks at Epsom today makes the perfect starter for the main course of the Derby tomorrow. Sariska is Paddy Power’s current market leader for the Oaks but other leading contenders include Rainbow View, who hated the firm ground in the Guineas, and Midday, who bids to give trainer Henry Cecil a ninth Oaks win. [...]