Chelsea: Chelsea said their attempts to sign Ashley Cole from Arsenal had reached deadlock on Wednesday night with the clubs unable to agree a fee for the England left-back. Media reports say Arsenal value Cole at about £25 million but the English champions released a statement making it clear they were not prepared to raise their latest offer imminently. On Wednesday, Chelsea and Celtic drew 1-1 in a friendly match at Stamford Bridge.

Vieri: Italian striker Christian Vieri has quit Sampdoria just one month after signing for the Serie A club, the team said. The 33-year-old former Italian international switched to Sampdoria in July from French league side Monaco. The Genoa club said in a statement on its website the decision to part ways with Vieri came after a "serene" meeting between the player and Sampdoria's Chief Executive Giuseppe Marotta who agreed "the conditions no longer existed" to continue their relationship.

Everton: Everton will fine Dutch midfielder Andy van der Meyde after his much-publicised night out in Liverpool on Sunday, the club said. The player was taken to hospital in the early hours of Monday suffering breathing difficulties following a night out in Liverpool which led to police investigating the possibility he had his drink spiked.

Maccabi Haifa: Maccabi Haifa coach Rony Levi said their chances of beating Liverpool in the Champions League have been reduced because the second leg of their qualifying tie has to be played at a neutral venue. The Israeli team lost 2-1 in the opening leg of the third round match at Anfield on Wednesday. "If we were able to play the match in Tel Aviv we would have a better chance of winning," Levi told reporters. "I don't know where the game will be played yet. Maybe Cyprus but I would prefer Tel Aviv."