Soccer News round-up: Claudio Ranieri wants to quit England for a return to Valencia in a move that Chelsea hope will save them millions.

Peter Kenyon, their chief executive, yesterday warned the Italian, who was sacked as Chelsea's manager on Monday, not to expect his hoped-for £6 million pay-off if he returns immediately to work. Kenyon will cite stipulations in the contract Ranieri agreed originally with the then chairman Ken Bates.

Kenyon said: "Part of the contract is about him mitigating the costs, which is a normal type of clause. In layman's terms, if he doesn't get another job in the next three years, his contract term, then we will continue to pay him. That's in writing in the contract and that's what we will honour."

When asked if it would be possible Ranieri could receive nothing from Chelsea if he accepts a new post immediately, Kenyon replied: "Yes, by the terms of the contract."

Ranieri's advisers insist the contract is "open to interpretation." Jon Smith, of First Artist, said: "If Chelsea refuse to honour what we feel is the correct interpretation of the contract then Claudio will spend the next three years in his villa in Tuscany, not working."

If an amicable settlement can be reached then Ranieri would be keen to return to the Spanish champions Valencia as successor to Rafael Benitez.

"Valencia are my former team and if it's possible I will come back to Spain," said Ranieri.

"There is an opportunity with Valencia, but I want to wait and look at what happens with Chelsea - to honour my contract. My man is speaking with them and I am waiting to see what happens. Now in my mind it is only important to resolve my contract."

Ranieri has also met the Tottenham chairman, Daniel Levy. However, a Spurs source said: "There was not a chance in hell that we'd be taking him on. Numbers were floated, but only to see what he's worth. We wanted to price someone as a guide for what to pay our new man."

Holland manager Dick Advocaat has refused to rule out a move to the Premiership next season despite distancing himself from a move to Tottenham.

The former Rangers boss, who is currently preparing the Holland squad ahead of Euro 2004, has been linked with a move to White Hart Lane after the appointment of ex-PSV Eindhoven man Frank Arnesen as sports director at the north London club.

But Advocaat shrugged off any potential move to Spurs.

He said: "There's nothing in it at all. I haven't heard anything and people are just saying that because I used to work with Arnesen for four years at PSV.

"I don't want to discuss my future at the moment because I'm preparing myself and my team for the European championships.

"It's difficult for me to say what will happen after the tournament, but everybody, players and managers, wants to work in the Premiership so anything is possible in the future."

Teenage winger Cristiano Ronaldo has been voted Manchester United's player of the year by the club's supporters.

The 19-year-old Portuguese international enjoyed a fantastic start to his Old Trafford career following his switch from Sporting Lisbon last summer and, despite a mid-season dip in form, he was inspirational in Manchester United's FA Cup triumph over Millwall.

Ronaldo, who landed 24 per cent of the votes, has been called into Portugal's squad for Euro 2004.

American goalkeeper Tim Howard, another of manager Alex Ferguson's recruits last year, was second with Ryan Giggs third.

Blackburn have confirmed they hope to seal the signing of Scotland striker Paul Dickov from Leicester next week. Foxes manager Micky Adams revealed the 31-year-old has turned down the offer of an improved contract.

A Blackburn spokesperson said: "The club and the player have reached an agreement in principle and both parties hope to complete a deal next week."

Leicester have already lost utility player Riccardo Scimeca to West Brom following their relegation from the Premiership, and now Dickov has activated a similar escape clause in his contract.

Adams said: "We've done everything possible to persuade Paul to stay with us.

"I spoke with him last week before he went away on holiday and offered him a significantly increased new contract.

"Paul said he would go away and think about it and he telephoned me last night to say that he would be moving to Blackburn.

"Everyone at the club is very disappointed, but Paul has done a marvellous job for us here and we wish him all the best for the future."