Manchester United's global tentacles are about to reach Italy with the Premiership champions ready to form a partnership with the Italian club Atalanta.
United recently announced a multimillion-pound link-up with the New York Yankees baseball club, already have a partnership with Belgium's Royal Antwerp and are seeking to spread their empire to France, South Africa and the Republic of Ireland.
As a result of the proposed tie-up with Atalanta, United would have first option on the Serie A club's young stars, who won last season's Italian youth cup and are in this season's final. Atalanta would benefit from United's marketing expertise.
Senior figures from United and the club based in Bergamo, northern Italy, exchanged visits last week, and further meetings are planned.
Meanwhile, Tranmere caretaker boss Kevin Sheedy has admitted he would be interested in stepping into the hot seat on a permanent basis following the resignation of John Aldridge.
The former Everton player has joined forces with reserve team manager Ray Mathias to take charge of struggling Rovers' trip to Gillingham tonight. Sheedy said: "I would certainly be interested in the job."
Republic of Ireland defender Andy O'Brien has completed a £2 million move to Newcastle from Bradford City.
Newcastle clinched the 21year-old central defender's signature before he jetted off on international duty as Bobby Robson moved quickly to plug the gap left by Frenchman Alain Goma when he joined Fulham last week.
Martin O'Neill yesterday gave Celtic fans the news they wanted to hear by claiming that no club could entice him away from Parkhead.
"There is nowhere else I would fancy going to be perfectly honest," admitted O'Neill. "This club has absolutely everything."
