30 JUNE 2001

Veron Keen On Man United Move

"I definitely want to sign for the club. It would fill me with pride to wear the
shirt of Manchester United." - Juan Sebastian Veron

Fiorentina Not Bankrupt

"There is no problem with Fiorentina Football Club. Our figures are completely
normal." - Fiorentina President Vittorio Cecchi Gori


29 JUNE 2001

Moratti - Campbell Is Ours

"We will get Campbell. He is well liked by Cuper and he is ours." - Inter
President Massimo Moratti

Wilko Quits England

Howard Wilkinson has stepped down as coach of the England U21 team.
David Platt is favourite to take over.

Southampton Name New Coach

After continual speculation linking Harry Redknapp and George Graham with a
move, Southampton have appointed Stuart Gray as coach. Gray was
appointed caretaker coach last season after Glenn Hoddle left for Tottenham.


28 JUNE 2001

Milan Sign Rui Costa?

According to Italian state broadcaster RAI Rui Costa has signed a contract with
Milan. Fiorentina are on the verge of bankruptcy and must sell off their star
players or face relegation from Serie A.

Veron Closer To Man United Move

"An Italian club has just called me but the talks with Manchester United are
already at a good stage." - Juan Sebastian Veron

Brazil New Venue For Copa America

"It will not be in Colombia. There are positive signs that it will take place in
Brazil." - Conmebol Vice President Eugenio Figueredo

Copa America Suspended

This years Copa America tournament, scheduled to take place in Colombia
between 12-29 July 2001, has been suspended following Monday's kidnapping
of the Vice President of the Colombian FA, Hernan Mejia Campuzano.

"It has been suspended, not cancelled until the kidnap victim is returned."
Peruvian Spokesman Wilmer del Aguila

CNNSI World Sport XI

Here are the top XI players in the World based on the results of votes on the
CNN websites.

GK. Oliver Kahn (Bayern Munich)
DF. Sami Hyypia (Liverpool)
DF. Bixente Lizarazu (Bayern Munich)
DF. Alessandro Nesta (Lazio)
DF. Lilian Thuram (Parma)
MF. Luis Figo (Real Madrid)
MF. Mehmet Scholl (Bayern Munich) 
MF. Patrick Vieira (Arsenal)
MF. Zinedine Zidane (Juventus)
FW. Romario (Vasco Da Gama)
FW. Andriy Shevchenko (Milan)

If you don't agree with these selections vote in our Player of the Year Poll on
the homepage.

Coaching Appointments

Bernd Krauus - Mallorca
Juande Romos - Vallecano
Gheorghe Hagi - Romania


27 JUNE 2001

Serie A Passport Scandal - Veron Cleared, Recoba Banned

The FIGC (Italian FA) have cleared Lazio playmaker Juan Sebastian Veron
of his role in the fake passport scandal. Veron is now expected to join
Manchester United as Lazio prepare a £28 million bid for Rivaldo.

The other players involved have not escaped punishment. Alvaro Recoba
(Inter), Dida (Milan) and Jeda (Vicenza) were given one year bans as were
four Udinese players - Warley, Alberto, Jorginho & Da Silva.

Toldo's Move To Barca Falls Through

Italy goalkeeper  Francesco Toldo's move to Barcelona has fallen through amid
problems at the Italian Cup champions. It is rumoured that Fiorentina may be
sold to fashion house Benetton and all the teams star players are up for grabs
as the club aim to clear huge debts. Toldo has now been linked with a move
to Juventus, Rui Costa to Milan and Lazio and Enrico Chiesa to Inter.

PSG Banned From Europe
 
UEFA have confirmed that PSG will not be allowed to play in next season's
UEFA Cup because they are owned by Canal+ who already have another of
their clubs in this seasons UEFA Cup - Servette of Switzerland.


25 JUNE 2001

Viera Slams Arsenal

"I want to win more trophies and I just cannot see that happening at Arsenal.
Certainly not over the next few years. Comparing Arsenal to the big clubs in
Europe this season is going to be quite ridiculous. I do not honestly see Arsenal
finishing in the top five in the League and you can forget the Champions
League."

Inter Confident of Viduka Signing

"We are confident that we can sign Viduka. We have received positive news
from his agent. We will be contacting Leeds over the next two weeks."
Inter president Massimo Moratti

Juve Name Their Price For Zidane - £78 Million!

"I don't think that Real will buy Zidane. Apparently they are ready to give us
£39 million but he's worth double that amount. Only when we are
offered that kind of money can we start negotiating the deal." Luciano Moggi,
Juventus General Director

Real Madrid Up The Stakes

Real Madrid will offer Juventus £39 million and midfielder Claude Makelele in
exchange for Zinedine Zidane.

Viera - Verbal Agreement

"I told them I was not going to renew my contract for a third time, that I
wanted to leave and that it was nothing to do with money because that
was not an issue to me. I expect Arsenal to stand by a verbal agreement
they have with me and I expect this to be sorted out before I return from
my holiday." - Arsenal midfielder Patrick Viera


23 JUNE 2001

Inter Prepared To Sell Ronaldo!

In an stunning piece of news Valencia's president Pedro Cortes has claimed
that Inter have offered the club Ronaldo in exchange for several Valencia
players including Kily Gonzalez and Jose Canizares :

"We have been approached by Inter about taking Ronaldo from them but what
happens if we sign him and then he gets injured again?"

Viera Wants To Leave

Patrick Viera's agent has confirmed press reports that the French international
wants to leave Arsenal :
 
"I as there when Patrick (Viera) told Arsene Wenger and David Dein he wants
to leave. They are fully aware of his intentions to move."

Juventus have been chasing Viera for the past two seasons.

Zidane Not For Sale

"I don't even have to say that Zidane will stay with us despite what is said
in Spain. Talk which does not affect us in the slightest. They are probably
agents, radio stations and other press who are putting together this charade
to bring Zidane to Spain but he's not going and will stay in Italy."
Luciano Moggi, Juventus Director General

Guardiola Admits Juve Interest

"I've received a number of offers from England and one from Juventus. My
agent has met with Juve officials but for the time being nothing has been
decided yet."

Ingesson Retires

Lecce midfielder Klas Ingesson has announced his retirement from football at
32. The former Swedish international also had spells at PSV, Sheffield
Wednesday and Bologna amongst others.

Roy Hodgson Returns To Italy?

Udinese have appointed Roy Hodgson as coach but former club FC Copenhagen
are threatening legal action as he is still under contract. Hodgson coached
Inter and Blackburn before resurrecting his career in Denmark.


22 JUNE 2001

Cuper's First Bad Decision

New Inter coach Hector Cuper has amazingly said he will allow any players
to leave if they are not happy :

"The teams comes before any personal qualities and therefore If a player
wants to leave I will not force him to stay." - Inter 

Striker Christian Vieri has hinted in the press that he is not happy with the club
and have been linked with a move back to former club  Juventus.

Coaching News

Javier Aguirre is the new coach of the Mexican national side. Previous coach
Enrique Meza quit following the defeat against Honduras.

Former Bari coach Eugenio has taken over newly promoted Vicenza.


21 JUNE 2001

Arsenal Move For Wright After Dudek Deal Falls Apart

Arsenal are expected to complete the signing of Ipswich 'keeper Richard
Wright. Wright recently signed a new contract on condition that he could
leave for Arsenal if they made an 'acceptable' bid.

Radzinski Bid Rejected

Anderlecht have rejected Everton's £3.5 million bid for Tomasz Radzinski.
The Belgian champions value the striker at £8 million.

Jardel Returns to Porto

Mario Jardel has made his long expected return to former club Porto. No idea
of the fee at the moment but it appears as if Alenitchev (MF), Capucho (MF)
and Nelson (DF) have joined Galatasaray as part of the deal.


20 JUNE 2001

Barca - Saviola Deal Collapses, Toldo Completes Transfer, Campbell is Next

At a press conference earlier River Plate president David Pintado made this
statement following a meeting with the clubs directors :

"The decision not to transfer Saviola was based on the amount of money being
offered and the current circumstances at the club. We feel that the player is
very important to River and that his departure would deprive the club of the
necessary potency to stay in the upper echelons of Argentine football."

Barcelona however have successfully completed the signing of another target,
Fiorentina and Italy goalkeeper Francesco Toldo for £16.5 million. Toldo has
signed a four year contract and will earn £2.5 million a season (£48,000 per
week).

Barcelona coach Carles Rexach said he is hopeful Tottenham defender
Sol Campbell will choose the Catalan giants ahead of Arsenal.

"We have had very positive discussions with Sol Campbell and his
representative and my feeling is that he is close to joining us."

Barcelona have reportedly offered Campbell £150,000 wages per week.

Heynckes Returns To La Liga

Former Real Madrid coach Jupp Heynckes, who was sacked after
winning the European Cup in 1998, has been appointed coach of
Athletic Bilbao. Heynckes previously coached Bilbao from 1992-1994.

Players Save Former Club

Alen Boksic, Igor Stimac, Aljosa Asanovic and Slaven Bilic will
invest £700,00 into their former club Hadjuk Split in exchange
for seats on the board. Hadjuk Split are heavily in debt.

Serie A Transfers by VOVA BELMASOV

Udinese

Udinese have signed three Spanish players from second division club Murcia.
Goalkeeper Toni Bernal, defender Esteban and striker Isaac all now have
four year contracts with the Italian club. 

Bernal is 23 years old while 20 year old Isaac was the top scorer in the second
division last season with 27 goals. Esteban is also 20 years old and all three
players have new deals running from July 1st and could be registered by the
Udine club for Inter Toto Cup matches in July. 

Inter

Internazionale are to sign Juventus midfielder Alessio Tacchinardi. 

Several players are expected to leave Juve now that coach Marcello Lippi has
returned to the club - director Roberto Bettega denied yesterday that
Zinedine Zidane was in talks to move to Real Madrid -  and Inter have  agreed
a £6 million fee for the Italian international. 

Tacchinardi has spent the last seven years at the Turin club and the defensive
player is now to go into talks with Inter to agree personal terms.

VOVA BELMASOV, GEORGIA

Confusion Over Saviola Deal

River Plate vice-president Alfredo Davicce has said the transfer of star forward
Javier Saviola to Barcelona is not a done deal :

"If both clubs do not ratify the deal or if Saviola and Barcelona do not agree
contractual terms by June 30, or if the player does not pass his medical then
both parties will be free from obligation and the agreement will be rendered
null and void."

Serie A Rumour Round-Up

Newly crowned champions Roma have made Atalanta's sensational 20 year
old 'keeper Ivan Pelizzoli their first target. Roma are offering a paltry £3.5
million, defender Alessandro Rinaldi and midfielder Eusebio Di Francesco.
Reggina's Massimo Taibi is expected to join Atalanta if the Roma deal goes
through.

Runner-ups Juventus have three highly unrealistic targets - Pavel Nedved,
Christian Vieri and Patrick Viera.

Milan, despite signing Javi Moreno from Alaves, are still rumoured to be
chasing another striker with Filippo Inzaghi and Vicenzo Montella their top
targets. New coach Fatih Terim's is hoping to make Paraguayan defender
Carlos Gamarra his first signing. Flamengo want £4 million for the former
South American player of the year.

New Inter coach Hector Cuper wants to bring goalkeeper Jose Canizares
and winger Kily Gonzalez from former club Valencia. Any coach who prefers
Canizares to Sebastian Frey wants shooting. If Canizares joins Inter expect
Frey to move to Lazio.

Lazio, having already spent £37 million on six players for the new season,
are now linked with a move for River Plate defender Mario Yepes.

Everton - Ball Out, Radzinski In?

Everton defender Michael Ball, who has been holding talks contract talks with
the club has been given a final offer of £20,000 per week. If the highly
talented wing back rejects the new contract Manchester United and Liverpool
will move for his signature.

Meanwhile Everton have made a bid of £8 million for Anderlecht striker
Tomasz Radzinski. Radzinski, who was outstanding for the Belgian champions
in last season's Champions League, is also a target for the three North East
giants - Sunderland, Newcastle and Middlesbrough.

Intertoto Cup Place For Newcastle

Newcastle United have been given an Intertoto Cup place following the
withdrawal of a Spanish club.

Positive Drugs Test Spreads To Greece

AIK Athens defender Rodrigo Ramos is the latest player to fail a drugs test.
Ramos had high levels of testosterone in a sample he gave on the 7th of May.
Testosterone is naturally produced in the body in relatively high levels, unlike
nandrolone, and can also be produced after exercise and by over the counter
protein supplements. In this case the player could actually be totally innocent.


19 JUNE 2001

Terim Plans Big Changes

New Milan coach Fatih Terim has caused a stir at the club in his first day in
charge. Vice President Adriano Galliani had claimed Milan's dealings in the
transfer market were over but Terim hinted at big changes :

"Some players who do not meet the qualities expected by Milan will be
replaced. Of course some players will go and some will come. We will continue
our journey with those who are up to standard". He added "I want a great
team on the field, a team that can win at home and on the road. I want us
to play good attacking football and to create plenty of chances"

Kachloul Screws Ipswich

Moroccan midfielder Hassan Kachloul, who accepted a contract to join
Ipswich last week on a free transfer from Southampton, has changed his
mind and joined Aston Villa.


16 JUNE 2001

Liverpool Steal Riise?

After confirming that John Arne Riise would join Fulham next week his agent
and mother now claim the player will sign for Liverpool on Monday.

Milan Cool Inzaghi Interest

"If they (Juventus) are willing to negotiate the price (£25 million) then we
will resume discussions otherwise we will not continue our pursuit of the
player." - Milan Vice President Adriano Galliani