Heinze brings in lawyersManchester United defender Gabriel Heinze is taking legal advice to try tp secure his release from Old Trafford. The Argentina international's representatives have employed a firm of lawyers to see if they can help resolve the ongoing dispute.
Liverpool are keen to sign the full-back but United insist he will not be sold to their Premier League rivals. United manager Alex Ferguson, however, is confident United will win any legal fight.
"We are aware Gaby is taking legal advice," confirmed Ferguson. "That is good. I hope it is good advice because we are confident of our position. He is due back in training on August 6th, which gives him three clear weeks' rest after the Copa America. And we expect him back in training a week on Monday."
United cruised to a 3-0 victory over Guangzhou Pharmaceuticals in the final match of their Asian tour, with goals from Wayne Rooney, Nani and Lee Martin.
Smith in demand
Middlesbrough will step up their efforts to sign Manchester United striker Alan Smith over the next few days. Both United and Smith's agent have denied Boro had been given permission to speak to Smith, the United chief executive, David Gill, claiming on Thursday "no firm offers" had been made for the former Leeds player.
Gill's Middlesbrough counterpart Keith Lamb is, however, hopeful of pushing through a deal when Smith returns from the tour of Asia and claims a fee was agreed earlier this month. But they face competition from Everton and Aston Villa among possible others.
Dyer's options narrow
Kieron Dyer's only hope of quitting Newcastle United appears to lie with West Ham United after Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur denied any interest in the player yesterday. Dyer appears set to leave St James's Park after Sam Allardyce omitted him from a pre-season friendly in midweek and West Ham's manager Alan Curbishley, who admires the 28-year-old, is preparing to make a bid.
It is believed that Newcastle would be willing to accept between €6 million and €7 million for a player who earns €89,000 a week but, as the only interested party, West Ham might seek to drive this down further. Dyer has a long history of injury problems and would need to pass a stringent medical if he is to transfer to Upton Park.
Portsmouth lift Asia Trophy
Portsmouth held their nerve to lift the Asia Trophy after a 4-2 penalty shoot-out victory over Liverpool at Hong Kong Stadium.
A goalless yet entertaining game could not be settled in 90 minutes and Niko Kranjcar scored the decisive spot-kick to ensure Pompey's triumph. Fernando Torres saw his penalty saved by David James in the shoot-out as he gave away the advantage gained by Utaka dragging Portsmouth's first penalty well wide of Pepe Reina's right-hand post. Yossi Benayoun also missed before Kranjcar dispatched his spot-kick to seal the win.
In brief . . .
Manchester Cityhope to agree a €10 million deal to sign Juventus'sItaly Under-21 captain Georgio Chielliniin the next few days . . . West Hamhave appointed Lucas Neillas their new captain . . . Newcastlestriker Obafemi Martinshas moved to end speculation over his future. The 22-year-old Nigeria international told the club's official website, www.nufc.co.uk: "I will keep my mouth shut. I am not going anywhere, I am still a Newcastle player. I am very, very happy here, so I am not going anywhere." . . . Roque Santa Cruzcould be on the verge of a move to Blackburnafter travelling to England with his representatives for talks with the Premier League club. Bayern Munich'sParaguay striker has already indicated he would be interested in joining Rovers, whose manager, Mark Hughes, said: "We are very close regarding Santa Cruz." . . . Sweden winger Christian Wilhelmssonhas completed his 12-month loan move to Boltonfrom French side Nantes. Manager Sammy Leeis now hoping Wilhelmsson (27) will receive international clearance in time to face Espanyol at the Reebok Stadium on Wednesday. Bolton face Tranmeretomorrow and Lee said: "I am pleased that the transfer has been concluded. "He is not able to play against Tranmere because we are still awaiting international clearance. It should go through early next week in time for our friendly against Espanyol." . . . Uefahave launched an investigation into allegations of possible match-fixing during an Intertoto Cup match between Estonia's TVMK Talinnand Finland's FC Honkaafter being alerted to heavy betting on the second leg of the tie. The match in question saw first-time European participants Honka winning 4-2 away on July 1st after drawing 0-0 in the first leg.
