A round-up of today's other stories
Reyes denies Real appeal
Arsenal winger Jose Antonio Reyes has again denied he is looking for a move to Real Madrid.
The 22-year-old was quoted in the Spanish press on Friday urging Los Merengues to make a move for him in the next few days before Arsenal open their Uefa Champions League campaign.
Earlier last week the Spain international also dismissed reports that he was interested in a switch to the Bernabeu.
Following similar reports on Saturday morning, Reyes told the north London club's website: "I did not say these words.
"I'll tell you once again, I am happy at Arsenal and I am looking forward to the coming campaign.
"We have a new stadium this season and we are pushing for honours in all competitions. I do not want to leave Arsenal."
Curbishley tells it as it is
Former Charlton boss Alan Curbishley has revealed he was once offered a bung by an agent.
Curbishley, who left The Valley at the end of last season, insisted he was one of the "straightest managers" in football but also revealed one Premiership chief executive is so generous he is known among agents as Father Christmas.
In his soon to be published book Valley of Dreams Curbishley said: "I think I have the reputation as one of the straightest managers in the game and only once in all the discussions I've ever had with agents have I been asked if I wanted anything out of a deal. He basically told me what his fee would be and suggested he could add a bit on top which would be for me.
"One chief executive was known as 'Father Christmas' because whenever agents went in to see him to do a deal, they always came out smiling with what they had been offered."
Curbishley, who managed Charlton for 15 years, also admitted he would consider offers from ambitious clubs outside the Premiership when he looks to return to management in October.
Portsmouth bid for James
Manchester City manager Stuart Pearce has confirmed the club have received an approach from Portsmouth for England goalkeeper David James.
James, who is believed to be the subject of a £2-million bid from Harry Redknapp's team, did not feature in either of City's pre-season games in Shanghai over the weekend despite travelling to China with the rest of the squad.
Nicky Weaver was preferred between the posts for the 1-0 win over Shanghai Shenhau on Friday while the inexperienced Joe Hart was in goal as City lost 4-3 to Japan's Kashima Antlers yesterday.
Ribery gets cold shoulder
Franck Ribery was axed from Marseille's squad as they were held to a 0-0 draw at newly-promoted Sedan yesterday. The French international winger has been heavily linked with a move away from the Stade Velodrome all summer, and was not included in coach Albert Emon's 16 for the Ligue 1 opener as speculation surrounding a possible move to champions Lyon or Arsenal intensifies.
Lerner steps up Villa bid
Randy Lerner is expected to step up his bid to buy Aston Villa in the next 48 hours.
American billionaire Lerner, the favourite of the four consortiums bidding to take control at Villa, is set to make a formal offer to chairman Doug Ellis.
Talks are ongoing and, if all goes to schedule, Lerner is expected to be formally installed as the new owner of Villa by early September now Ellis has intimated he is ready to sell.
In brief . . .
France coach Raymond Domenech has restored Patrick Vieira to the captaincy following the retirement of Zinedine Zidane . . . Arsenal have won the race for Spanish midfielder Fran Merida, with the 16-year-old opting to join the London club after leaving Barcelona . . . Premiership newcomers Watford have completed the signing of defender Danny Shittu (25) from QPR for an initial fee of £1.6 million, which could rise to £3 million . . . Real Madrid's Thomas Gravesen's agent has expressed his client's interest in a potential move to Newcastle United . . . Newcastle have confirmed midfielder Amdy Faye has been given permission to speak to Charlton Athletic.
