Today's other stories in brief

Rovers line up Croatian striker

BLACKBURN Rovers are closing on the signing of Nikola Kalinic (21) after agreeing a fee with the Croatian striker’s club Hajduk Split.

Kalinic had been lined up for a €7 million move to Portsmouth only for the deal to collapse over how the fee would be paid.

Rovers manager Sam Allardyce now says he hopes to sign Kalinic: “We are trying really hard. It’s not just him. We hope to get another one in if we can.”

Delph interests City manager

MANCHESTER City have entered the race to sign Leeds United’s highly-rated midfielder Fabian Delph. Aston Villa and Everton have also been linked with the 19-year-old left-sided player.

We have an interest in the situation, said City manager Mark Hughes after their 1-1 friendly away draw with Barnsley. He is a young player who has been brought to our attention.”

Simon Grayson says Leeds are yet to receive a suitable bid for teenage midfielder Fabian Delph.

Grayson has revealed two top-flight clubs have failed with offers for Delph, who has been rated in the €10 million bracket.

We’ve had two bids from Premier League clubs over two weeks ago that we turned down, Grayson said.

They were nowhere near the target of the realistic aim that we are looking to receive, but I know that could change at any time.”

Pogba transfer done by book - United

MANCHESTER United have dismissed claims they have “stolen” teenage midfielder Paul Pogba from French club Le Havre.

United have been accused of offering “very large” sums to the 16-year-old’s parents to induce him to end a contract he has until the end of this season.

An angry Le Havre statement said: “Le Havre wishes to express its indignation regarding the dealings of Manchester United’s directors,” the club said, calling for tighter regulations over young players. “This act is even more unacceptable as it comes from a club with such stature.”

But a United spokesman replied: “It is complete nonsense. Everything has been done within Uefa guidelines.”

Uefa are keen to introduce a rule preventing the international transfer of players under the age of 18 after member associations, clubs, leagues and players agreed to the principle at a March meeting.

Toure felt Arsenal were shadow of former selves

MANCHESTER City’s latest recruit Kolo Toure believes he was right to swap the Emirates for Eastlands because Arsenal have failed to replace too many big names.

The Ivorian, the last remaining member of their 2003/’04 “invincibles” squad, believes the failure to replace a host of star players has made the club a less attractive proposition than Mark Hughes’ City.

The 28-year-old said: “I came to Man City because when you look at Arsenal you see all the great players have left the club and are now in the past.

“Look at what has happened there. Thierry Henry has gone, Patrick Vieira has gone, Ray Parlour has gone.

“These were the players that brought success to Arsenal and I believed it was right at this stage of my career to also move on.

“We lost too many leaders at Arsenal. When we were winning the league title the spirit was fantastic, we were like a band of brothers.”

Moyes tiring of Lescott saga

DAVID Moyes has accused Manchester City of showing a lack of respect to Everton in their chase for Joleon Lescott.

The Merseyside club have turned down two bids for the defender and manager Moyes is not happy at the way their cash-rich Premier League rivals are going about their business.

He said: “It’s about showing respect and we’re not being shown that. I’m sure if I was (City boss) Mark Hughes, with all the money he has, I would try to buy the best players. But we try to go about it in a different fashion. I would think I would go about my business in the way I’ve always done.”

City have had bids of €17.5 million and €21 million for Lescott turned down – and are believed to be returning soon with a €26 million offer. However, Everton are insisting they will not sell the defender.

Moyes continued: “I’ve always tried to contact the managers and show respect to them in terms of transfers – and no matter how much money I might have to spend I would always want to keep that up.”

Tributes to Robson continue to flow

BOBBY Robson’s widow visited the shrine at Newcastle’s St James’ Park stadium yesterday to acknowledge the public grief which has followed his death.

Accompanied by two of her sons, Andrew (50) and Paul (52) and family friends, Elsie Robson walked to the John Hall Stand to see the flags, scarves, banners and flowers left there by fans.

Fans broke into a round of applause as, wearing a black blouse and dark sunglasses, she paused to read messages left for Bobby.

A Newcastle United source estimated that about 50,000 well-wishers had visited the ground since Bobby’s death on Friday at the age of 76.

A queue stretched 300 yards from the entrance to the Leazes End to Shearer’s Bar at the other end of the stadium yesterday afternoon.