The Association of British Insurers have admitted the cost of premiums for £60 million-rated Michael Owen could reach into "six figures".
It emerged yesterday morning that Liverpool want to insure the 18-year-old for the grand sum - six times the cover they had for him last season.
An ABI spokeswoman claimed the vast figure on the Liverpool and England striker's insurance was unsurprising considering the revenue that would be lost if the teenager was forced out of the game by injury.
"It is going to be a pretty steep premium because you can imagine the insurance company, in theory, could get one premium and then be expected to make this £60 million pay-out," the spokeswomen said.
David Unsworth could make his first appearance for Walter Smith's Everton in the opening match of their tour of Holland and Belgium today.
Unsworth's £3 million double-quick move from Aston Villa back to Merseyside has been agreed between the clubs to end a bizarre period of just a week for the defender with the Midlanders after joining from West Ham only last week.
Unsworth wanted to leave West Ham because his wife couldn't settle in London and the couple were desperate to return to Merseyside where Unsworth bought a new house in Liverpool during the close season. Unsworth said: "I don't want to get involved in any bickering. This was a personal decision, not my wife's." But Unsworth's wife yesterday took some flak from the West Ham manager Harry Redknapp. "I don't understand wives getting involved," he said. "They should concentrate on looking after the kids and the house."
Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson admitted yesterday that he hopes to tie up a deal for Dutch World Cup ace Patrick Kluivert next week.
But as the Old Trafford boss continues his striker search, he has ruled out using Andy Cole as bait in an attempt to capture Dwight Yorke from Aston Villa.
Arsenal yesterday refused to comment on reports they had clinched a deal for Argentina's World Cup star Marcelo Gallardo.
The 22-year-old midfield player, nicknamed The Doll, was reported to have agreed a £12,000-a-week Highbury package with Gunners manager Arsene Wenger.
Nottingham Forest have had a £2 million bid for Republic of Ireland and West Bromwich winger Kevin Kilbane turned down.
Forest manager Dave Bassett tabled the offer earlier this week after losing striker Kevin Campbell to Turkish side Trabzonspor in a £3 million deal and transfer-listing contract rebel Scot Gemmill.
Bassett said: "Kevin is a bright young player whose progress I've followed for some time. We offered £2million, but West Brom turned us down."
It is just over 12 months since Alan Shearer suffered a career-threatening ankle injury at a preseason tournament at Everton but the Newcastle and England striker cannot wait to play in the Magpies pre-season build-up.
While David Batty and Stephane Guivarc'h will not take any part in this weekend's JD Sports Cup, both Shearer and England colleague Rob Lee will be available.
Shearer is anxious to get back into competitive action. "I'm hoping to last a little longer this season," he quipped. Meanwhile, Newcastle boss Kenny Dalglish could be willing to listen to offers for Northern Ireland winger Keith Gillespie. And Middlesbrough boss Bryan Robson, who is on the look-out for a wide man, could move in.
With the arrival of seven new signings and more to come it seems United could be willing to part with Gillespie.
Crystal Palace have signed Argentinian Under21 internationals Pablo Rodrigues and Christian Ledesma from Argentina Juniors for £2 million.
Rodrigues (21), and 19-year-old Ledesma completed the move yesterday subject to medical and international clearance.
The midfielders have been targets for clubs throughout Europe and Palace manager Terry Venables said: "I am aware that both players have attracted European interest so I have been keen to complete the deals. It is exciting to have two of the top five rated youngsters in Argentina at Selhurst Park."
Chelsea have signed a 17-year-old Finn Mikael Forssell on a free transfer. The student, who scored four times on his debut for Finland Under18s against Lithuania on Thursday.
