Dein in the docks: Arsenal's vice-chairman David Dein shed light on the workings of the transfer system yesterday as he gave evidence in the English high court relating to the signing of Gilberto Silva, reports Jon Brodkin.
Dein said Arsenal used "a conduit" in Brazil, Dick Law, to speak to Gilberto's then club Atletico Mineiro and the midfielder's agent in the build-up to the transfer in 2002. Dein, however, denied that meant Arsenal had made "covert" approaches for Gilberto as he gave evidence during a case over agents' fees.
The former Liverpool striker Ronnie Rosenthal and his business partner Jacques Lichtenstein claim they are owned an agreed £450,000 from Atletico Mineiro over Gilberto's transfer. Dein claims they played no part in the deal and was questioned by the pair's counsel, Jonathan Crystal, about the role played by Law, who was not a Fifa-licensed agent. Dein called Law a "good friend" and "our man on the spot" and said Law did not have to be Fifa-licensed "for the work he was doing".
When Crystal put it to Dein that he had asked Law "to contact the agent of a football player who was contracted to another club", Dein replied: "I asked him to make inquiries of the footballer's agent and the club."
Dein said he asked Law to make inquiries about how much Gilberto would cost without revealing that it was Arsenal who were interested. He said it was not a "covert" approach as Law was being asked to approach both player and club. The case continues.
Spurs take on Lennon
Tottenham yesterday agreed a deal to sign Leeds United winger Aaron Lennon, subject to a medical and personal terms. The 18-year-old made 27 appearances, including 19 starts, for Leeds in the Championship last season.
Lennon became the youngest ever Premiership player in August 2003 when he came off the bench for the Yorkshire side, aged 16 years and 129 days old, coincidentally at White Hart Lane.
West Ham get Carroll
West Ham United yesterday have completed the signing of former Manchester United goalkeeper Roy Carroll. The 27-year-old Northern Ireland international was released by Alex Ferguson after four years at Old Trafford, his last match for the club being last month's FA Cup final defeat by Arsenal.
Ronaldo to sign on
Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo looks certain to continue his career at Old Trafford. Europe's top clubs are casting envious eyes over the 20-year-old Portugal international after a string of superb displays in the Premiership and for his country. However, it is understood that he has agreed a lucrative new five-year deal at United and is due to sign when he returns from holiday.
Meanwhile, Park Ji-Sung is reportedly ready to leave PSV Eindhoven and join Manchester United. The South Korean midfielder had been linked to both United and Chelsea, and he appears to have been sold on a move to Old Trafford. Whether PSV will allow the 24-year-old to leave, or under what terms, remains unclear.
Van Persie still held
A Rotterdam court will decide today whether to keep Arsenal's Dutch forward Robin van Persie in custody for another 14 days after he was arrested on suspicion of rape, prosecutors said yesterday. The 21-year-old van Persie was arrested in Rotterdam on Monday following an alleged incident over the weekend. He can be held for a maximum of three days without a formal charge.
Meanwhile, the agent of Stuttgart midfielder Alexander Hleb has said that an announcement will be made today regarding a possible move to Arsenal.
In brief . . .
Newcastle yesterday completed the signing of Scott Parker from Chelsea for £6.5million on a five-year contract . . . Charlton yesterday announced a share issue from which they expect to raise £5.525 million to fund transfers . . . The Republic of Ireland remain in 15th place in the latest Fifa rankings, Northern Ireland also stay put at 114th, but down one place are England in seventh . . . Livingston have avoided relegation from the Scottish Premier League and escaped with a fine of just £15,000 for the controversial signing of Hassan Kachloul in March.
