ENGLISH side Derby County have made a multi-million dollar bid for Roberto Baggio, Italy's Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper reported yesterday.

The newspaper reported that Derby were prepared to spend Pounds 16 million to sign Baggio, once the world's most expensive player, from AC Milan.

Derby, who signed Italian international midfielder Stefano Eranio from Milan in May, made an offer for Baggio after talks between the two clubs last Thursday, the paper said.

Paul Merson has revealed that he is extremely disappointed that Arsenal are about to sell him to Middlesbrough, who require a replacement for Brazilian Juninho.

The England winger, who is about to be sold for Pounds 4.5 million on a five-year contract, has been at the London club since he was a 14-year-old schoolboy. But coach Arsene Wenger has said he cannot refuse the money for a 29-year-old and will be allowing Merson to leave.