Fulham deal uncertainTwo Turkish Cypriot brothers claimed yesterday they planned to buy Fulham in a deal that could be worth £100 million. The interest comes despite Fulham issuing a statement that ruled out the sale to businessmen Halil and Husnu Falyali.
"It's true we are planning to buy the club. My brother met the chairman (Mohamed Al Fayed) and financial director to discuss a deal," Halil Falyali said. He said the deal would cost the brothers around £100 million pounds.
Fulham, however, have a different version of events and Al Fayed's media advisor Jack Irvine issued a statement saying: "I can categorically state that Fulham FC is not for sale. The Turkish businessmen mentioned in this morning's story did not meet Mohamed Al Fayed."
Leeds fail to land Healy
Preston have rejected a "laughable" bid from Leeds United for striker David Healy.
The Northern Ireland international is keen to leave Deepdale, having turned down a new three-year contract, and is set to become a free agent next summer should he stay at Preston.
But Preston chairman Derek Shaw insists the club will accept no less than 25-year-old Healy's full value.
"We had a laughable offer from Leeds United which we turned down," said Shaw yesterday.
Meanwhile, Leeds have sold their Thorp Arch training centre to reduce debts of £40 million and signed a 25-year lease to keep using the facilities.
Speed's awe of Southall
Gary Speed admitted to continue chasing Neville Southall's Wales caps record would have been "disrespectful to a better player than me".
Bolton midfielder Speed retired from the international game in the wake of Wales' 3-2 World Cup defeat by Poland in Millennium Stadium on Wednesday.
He did so just seven caps short of Southall's all-time record of 92 international appearances for his country.
Speed said: "The caps record has never been something that has made me want to keep going. That would be disrespectful to everyone else who has played for Wales and certainly Neville Southall."
Speed has now been touted as a replacement for outgoing national manager Mark Hughes.
In brief . . .
Fulham striker Andy Cole has had a three-match suspension for violent conduct against WBA reduced to one by the FA after an appeal . . . League Two side Macclesfield's loan move for Jason Gavin has fallen through as the Dubliner's club Bradford are in administration and can only release players on a permanent basis . . . Celtic striker David Fernandez has returned to training for the first time this season . . . Defenders Eddie Howe and John Curtis have been recalled to Portsmouth after loan periods at Preston and Bournemouth, respectively.
