A round-up of soccer news in brief
Kenny reunited with Warnock
QPR HAVE signed goalkeeper Paddy Kenny on a three-year deal from Sheffield United. The 32-year-old will be reunited with former Sheffield manager Neil Warnock for the third time after the Londoners lodged a successful €900,000 bid.
The Irish international recently returned from a nine-month suspension for testing positive for ephedrine in May 2009. He was cleared of cheating, claiming he took the tablets to fight a chest infection.
Barcelona rubbish reports Arsenal looked for €70m
BARCELONA’S DIRECTOR general Joan Oliver has rubbished reports Arsenal have told them to double their offer if they want Cesc Fabregas.
Fabregas has long been linked with a return to Barca, the club where he learned his trade as a youngster before moving to the Gunners seven years ago and the Catalan giants had a €35 million offer for the Spain international rejected last week.
Reports yesterday suggested Arsenal are now prepared to accept an offer – if Barca increase their bid to €70m. However, Oliver insists they have heard nothing from the Premier League club.
“They said they would not sell, it’s logical therefore that they have not set a price for him,” he said as he left a Barcelona board meeting.
“We made a formal offer. The only official response we have from Arsenal is that they are not ready to sell the player, for which it would be difficult for them to be putting a price when they say they are not selling.”
Huntelaar intends to remain at Milan
THE NETHERLANDS striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar maintains he has no intentions of leaving AC Milan – despite being linked with a move to Tottenham.
The 26-year-old is in South Africa with the Dutch squad ahead of the World Cup, and had been reported to be top of Harry Redknapp’s transfer list.
Spurs boss Redknapp is keen to bolster his attacking options, having secured a place in the Champions League qualifiers for next season after finishing fourth in the league, and is reportedly ready to offload Robbie Keane to Aston Villa.
However, former Ajax striker Huntelaar insists he has unfinished business at the San Siro, having arrived from Real Madrid in a €15 million move during August 2009.
“I see my name in the Italian newspapers and I don’t understand why,” Huntelaar said. “I would like to know who has said I will be sold, because it doesn’t seem like anyone from the club has said anything.
“No other club interests me: my agent has never spoken about a transfer and I want to stay at Milan.
“I will not leave Milan until I have demonstrated my worth.”
Dublin derby is pick of fourth round
BOHEMIANS MANAGER Pat Fenlon renews acquaintance with his former club Shelbourne after the north Dublin sides were drawn against each in perhaps the only intriguing tie of the fourth round of the Ford FAI Cup, the draw for which was made in Dublin last night.
Holders Sporting Fingal will have another home tie against First Division opposition in Limerick, should they win their replay at Mervue United.
FAI CUP(fourth round draw): Galway United v Salthill Devon; UCD v Bray Wanderers/Derry City; Finn Harps v Sligo Rovers; Bohemians v Shelbourne; Bluebell United/Cork City v Monaghan United/FC Carlow; Longford Town v Shamrock Rovers; St Patrick's Athletic v Belgrove; Mervue United/Sporting Fingal v Limerick (Ties to be played week ending August 29th).
