Veron asks for move Juan Sebastian Veron has formally requested a transfer from Chelsea in a meeting with the club's chief executive Peter Kenyon. The midfielder is keen to return to Italy and Chelsea will have to accept a significant loss on the £15 million they paid Manchester United for him last summer.

"He met Kenyon and told him that he wants to be sold," said Veron's agent Fernando Hidalgo. "He would love to return to Italy where he has his best memories as a player."

Internazionale are expected to make an offer for the Argentinian, who had successful spells at Sampdoria, Parma and Lazio before joining United in 2001. Inter value Veron at about £8 million and will probably propose a swap, possibly involving the striker Christian Vieri.

Veron admits he would love to sign for Inter: "I heard that there is this possibility; I would surely like to play for Inter. They have many great players but they haven't managed to win anything for a long time - too long a time. It would be an extra motivation for me to try and win at a club whose fans have been waiting so long for silverware." - Guardian Service

Robinson deal done

Leeds last night claimed they had agreed a £2-million cash deal with Tottenham for England goalkeeper Paul Robinson. Earlier yesterday Spurs reported that the deal was worth only £1.5 million.

The deal is set to go through this weekend subject to Robinson agreeing personal terms and passing a medical.

Leeds chairman Gerald Krasner said: "We are very pleased with the deal for Paul and we wish him every success at Tottenham. Despite reports to the contrary it was the best offer made for him. None of the top four Premiership clubs were interested or had an opening for him, so the market was very limited regardless of his enormous talents."

James Milner, meanwhile, is poised to sign a bumper new pay deal with Leeds after turning his back on a £5-million move to Spurs.

Milner, one of the lowest-paid players at Elland Road, is due to conduct negotiations within the next two weeks with chairman Krasner after underlining his commitment to the club.

Wales appeal denied

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has turned down an appeal by Wales and confirmed Russia's place at Euro 2004.

The Football Association of Wales (FAW) wanted Russia to be thrown out of the 16-team tournament because one of their players, Yegor Titov, failed a drugs test following the first-leg play-off between the two countries last November.

". . . the panel has considered that the Football Union of Russia could not be assimilated to an 'accomplice or abettor' of Yegor Titov under the terms of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations and consequently could not be sanctioned," CAS said.

CAS said it had heard the appeal as early as possible because Euro 2004 starts on June 12th in Portugal. UEFA had already turned down two Welsh appeals.

Amoroso for Celts trip

Scottish champions Celtic have invited Brazilian Marcio Amoroso to join them on their pre-season tour of North America in July.

The striker trained with the Glasgow club for the first time yesterday and his agent Nivaldo Baldo told reporters the former Borussia Dortmund player would find it an honour to travel with Celtic. Martin O'Neill's side will play friendly matches against Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and AS Roma in North America between July 24th and 31st.

"We organised a game with him and the players today and I think he enjoyed that and he did okay," O'Neill said yesterday.

"There are no deadlines and we are not rushing into anything at the moment. He has cost a lot of money in the past so he must be a good player and that is why we wanted to have a look at him. My own view is that I would like to see him again."

Redknapp on brink

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp last night said "it's going to be hard not to leave" the club.

Redknapp is set for showdown talks with Milan Mandaric after the Portsmouth chairman revealed his intention to make changes at Fratton Park, especially on the coaching front.

He hinted at bringing in a foreign coach to work with Redknapp but the manager does not like the idea of losing assistant Jim Smith.

"I've not spoken to Milan since Saturday and his opinion then was that he felt it was time for Jim to move on and retire," he said. "I need to see him - but I think the whole thing has gone too far now. It's going to be hard for me not to go - I feel that strongly about Jim, despite what Milan says tomorrow."