Juventus in for GallasThe future of Chelsea's William Gallas remains uncertain despite claims from the player that he is happy at Stamford Bridge.
Italian giants Juventus, linked with a move for the defender during the January transfer window, are reported to have increased their interest in the Frenchman by watching him closely during Chelsea's Champions League second leg exit to Barcelona.
Germans in disarray
A second match-rigging scandal in German soccer less than three months before the World Cup could be more serious than the initial investigation suggested.
Prosecutors in Munich were yesterday investigating media reports that several Bundesliga players, among them a German international, had been in contact with a betting ring.
The German Football Association (DFB) had, however, said the new cases were not of the magnitude of last year's scandal involving referee Robert Hoyzer with no official and no top-flight game involved.
Bayern give up hope
Bayern Munich have conceded they would not be able to match any massive offer from Chelsea for Michael Ballack.
Bayern commercial manager Uli Hoeness admitted that if Chelsea agreed to Ballack's wage demands of £120,000 per week, the Germans would be out of the running.
"If he (Ballack) gets an offer from Chelsea, there's no way we can come up with a better one," Hoeness said.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have completed a deal with Dynamo Moscow that allows Alexei Smertin to return to Russia.
The Premiership champions will receive £1 million for the midfielder, who has spent this season on loan at Charlton.
Lowry answers call
Seán McCaffrey has added Australian-born centre back Shane Lowry to his Irish under-17 squad for the forthcoming European Championship elite qualification stage tournament in Dublin.
Lowry, who has worked with Ireland's senior team coach Kevin MacDonald at Aston Villa, could make his debut during the four-team tournament, the winners of which will go to the European finals in Luxembourg in May.
Qualifying tournament dates and venues - Monday 27th March: Serbia & Montenegro v Israel (Carlisle Grounds, Bray, 2.30), Republic of Ireland v Romania (Dalymount Park, 7.0); Wednesday 29th March: S&M v Romania (Belfield Park, UCD, 2.30), Israel v Ireland (Richmond Park, 7.0); Friday 31st March: Ireland v S&M (Tolka Park, 7.0), Romania v Israel (Carlisle Grounds, Bray, 7.0).
In Brief . . .
Thomas Gravesen's agent has denied reports suggesting Manchester City have opened talks with Real Madrid with a view to signing the midfielder . . Dublin-born striker Gary Mulligan (21) has returned to Gillingham from Sheffield United for a month-long loan spell.
