Liverpool yesterday all but conceded defeat in their prolonged attempts to persuade Robbie Fowler that his future should lie at Anfield. Arsenal are now poised to resurrect their longstanding interest in one of English football's most prolific goal scorers.
More than three months of talks culminated in the England forward rejecting what may be the Merseyside club's final offer. It is believed that Liverpool offered to pay him £33,000 a week - or £1.7 million a season - making him the highest paid player in the club's history. But, perhaps surprisingly, the 23-year-old appears to have declined a £9 million package for a 51/2-year contract.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has declined to confirm his interest in Fowler, but he has kept in touch with the player's contract developments. Wenger knows he might be in a position to persuade his friend Houllier to accept an offer of £7 million - some £3 million less than Liverpool's valuation.
If Houllier can find a buyer for Fowler, he will try to replace him with Leicester City's England Under-21 striker Emile Heskey. Roy Evans, Houllier's predecessor at Anfield, made three unsuccessful attempts to sign Heskey, but any bid in excess of £8.5 million might persuade Leicester finally to allow his departure.
Houllier has opened the door for Evans to return to Anfield. The Frenchman took sole control of the manager's role in November after he and Evans had shared the job.
Houllier said in the Liverpool Evening Echo: "If he wants to return and have some work, be it in the scouting or recruiting of top players, then I would be very happy because I enjoyed working with Roy."
Referees and their assistants will be fitted with three-way headsets in the Premiership next season in an attempt to improve communication between officials. The Premiership referees' officer Philip Don said yesterday that FIFA had given permission for the scheme, which was inspired by a similar experiment in rugby union.
"There is no suggestion that the comments between the officials will be transmitted on television like in other sports," Don said. "FIFA does not allow this anyway." Don believes the microphone links will help linesmen warn referees of incidents that happen behind their backs without having to flag furiously.
Alex Ferguson has written to Arsene Wenger to apologise for his remarks about Arsenal's aggressive style. The Manchester United manager insisted his comments that the champions were "scrappers" were made off the record.
Chelsea striker Tore Andre Flo will be out of action for at least six weeks after injuring his right ankle in the FA Cup victory at Oldham. Flo had an operation in Oslo last night and his surgeon said: "He has a six-week rehabilitation programme ahead without soccer."
