Van Nistelrooy: Bayern Munich president Franz Beckenbauer said yesterday the Bundesliga champions had a good chance of signing Netherlands striker Ruud van Nistelrooy. "There is still a gap of some five million euros ($6.31 million) between us and Manchester United," Beckenbauer said. "Yet, (the) chances are pretty good." Nine-times European Champions Real Madrid are also targeting Van Nistelrooy.
Gerrard: Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard said he was keen to take over from David Beckham as England captain. "It is the kind of thing every player dreams about. But I am not the kind of player to talk about it and try and get it that way," Gerrard said. "The decision is down to (England manager) Steve McClaren and if it comes my way then great - if not, whoever gets the job will have my full support."
Duff: Ireland winger Damien Duff has passed a medical and joined Newcastle for five million pounds from champions Chelsea, the Premier League club said yesterday. The 27-year-old has signed a five-year-contract. Duff joined Chelsea from Blackburn Rovers in 2003.
Del Horno: Asier del Horno said he had no regrets about his year spent at Chelsea after completing his move to Valencia yesterday. "Looking back I view it positively and for me it was important to have won a league title in my first season in England," he said. The 25-year-old left back has signed a six-year contract with Valencia.
Suspicious shirt: An England shirt gave away a Senegalese man attempting to enter Cyprus on a forged French passport. Suspicions were aroused when the man appeared at a checkpoint supervising crossings from the Turkish Cypriot north to the Greek Cypriot south of the divided island, wearing the England shirt and presenting a French passport. "Being a football fan, the officer found it highly unlikely that a Frenchman would want to wear an England jersey," police said.
Corinthians: Brazilian champions Corinthians slumped to the bottom of the table at the weekend despite drawing 2-2 at home to Fortaleza and ending a run of six straight defeats. Argentina forward Carlos Tevez salvaged a point for Corinthians with a second-half equaliser and celebrated by running to his team's fans and putting his finger over his lips, implying they should be quiet. Tevez later said he had become fed up with the fans jeering the team.
Olympiakos: Greek champions Olympiakos have signed Brazilian defender Julio Cesar from Mexican side Tigres. The much-travelled Cesar, who has played for Real Madrid, Real Valladolid and Real Sociedad, as well as Milan, Benfica and Bolton has signed a three-year contract.