SOCCER SHORTS:A "SIZEABLE" ransom has been demanded by the kidnappers of John Obi Mikel's father, the Chelsea midfielder's representatives confirmed yesterday.
But the Sport Entertainment and Media Group denied reports €90,000 was being sought for the release of Michael Obi, who was abducted in his native Nigeria last week.
SEM also confirmed Mikel had made himself available for Chelsea's Premier League game with West Brom tomorrow, having also played in last weekend's season opener at Stoke after learning of his father's kidnapping.
Chelsea boss André Villas-Boas was yesterday reluctant to discuss the kidnapping of Mikel's father in too much detail. He said: "As you know, it's a very, very difficult situation, personal situation. I wouldn't like to extend myself because it's a very, very sensitive situation. Mikel, of course, made himself available for the game and we are counting on him."
Bullard facing the exit door
HULL have moved to terminate the contract of their club record signing Jimmy Bullard. Bullard (32) has not featured for the Tigers this season after being placed on suspension following an incident on a pre-season trip to Slovenia.
He is contracted to the club until the end of the 2012-13 season. Bullard attended a disciplinary hearing last week at the KC Stadium, where he was represented by the Professional Footballers’ Association.
Fernandes completes QPR takeover
MALAYSIAN entrepreneur Tony Fernandes has completed the takeover of Queens Park Rangers, the Premier League club said yesterday. Fernandes, the owner of the Team Lotus Formula One outfit and the low-cost airline AirAsia, took control of the promoted west London club by buying out majority shareholder Bernie Ecclestone, the F1 supremo.
The 47-year-old Fernandes, who makes no secret of the fact he is a West Ham United fan, said he used to live near QPR's Loftus Road ground and “has always had a soft spot for them”.
“I’ve always wanted to be involved in football and the appeal of a London club like QPR was too good an opportunity to turn down,” said Fernandes.
He has taken a 66 percent stake in the club and succeeded Ecclestone who had been the majority owner of QPR for the past five years.
Villas-Boas urges Chelsea board to move on Modric
ANDRE Villas-Boas has urged the Chelsea board to drive through the purchase of Luka Modric from Tottenham Hotspur as he hopes to bring a fresh dimension to his squad.
The Chelsea manager, who must contend with the loss of the goalkeeper Petr Cech for about a month after he injured his knee in training, has finalised the recruitment of Romelu Lukaku from Anderlecht – available for selection for tomorrow’s Premier League visit of West Bromwich Albion.
Chelsea are closing in on another teenager, the 19-year-old Genk and Belgium left-winger Kevin De Bruyne. He will cost €10 million but the London club have discussed loaning him back to Genk.
The signing of Modric, however, would, according to Villas-Boas, bring a different dynamic.
Villas-Boas did not want to speak expansively on the subject yesterday, but he did confirm that he had held discussions with the Chelsea chief executive, Ron Gourlay, and the technical director, Michael Emenalo, on how best to proceed.
Blackburn close to signing three
BLACKBURN boss Steve Kean has revealed the club are close to signing three players and could even have a new face available for Saturday’s trip to Aston Villa.
Rovers have endured a frustrating time in the transfer market, with only striker David Goodwillie and midfielder Radosav Petrovic arriving, from Dundee United and Partizan Belgrade, respectively.
This week they missed out on one of the biggest names in European football when former Real Madrid striker Raul decided to reject an offer and stay with Schalke in the Bundesliga.
Kean has received more positive news from three other players, though, and an unnamed midfielder and defender will have medicals with the Lancashire outfit over the next two days while a striker is also close to signing.
Kean said: “Last week we had active bids out there and that’s progressed. There are bids that have been accepted. We’re at a point of having medicals today and tomorrow so that’s positive.”
Odemwingie signs new deal
WEST Brom striker Peter Odemwingie has ended speculation over his future by signing a new and improved contract to keep him at The Hawthorns until June 2014.
Albion boss Roy Hodgson confirmed yesterday that the club had rejected a €4.5 million bid for the 30-year-old from Wigan last weekend.
Tottenham were also reportedly monitoring the situation, but the player yesterday penned a new three-year deal – much to the delight of Hodgson.
