Soccer Shorts

Reid between the linesMillwall chairman Theo Paphitis yesterday criticised Blackburn's rebuffed £2 million offer for midfielder Steven Reid - as Harry Redknapp was reported to be preparing a bid to take the Republic of Ireland ace to Portsmouth.The Lions snubbed Graeme Souness' approach because the complicated payments in the deal would not have given Mark McGhee the financial clout to recruit several players in his place.

"The way they offered us payments was unacceptable," Paphitis said. "To be honest, I think they thought they were shopping out of the Littlewoods catalogue."

Souness says he will not up his bid. But Pompey yesterday emerged as new players in the chase for Reid's signature - and Harry Redknapp believes £2 million is in fact enough to prize him away from the New Den.

"I like Steven Reid and he's a player with a big future," the Fratton Park chief said. "I'd love to get him. He'd cost £2 million but I don't know if we could afford that sort of money."

Double booked

The Republic of Ireland's senior friendly international game against Australia will be played on Tuesday, August 19th at Lansdowne Road (7.30 p.m.).

The game was originally scheduled for the following day, but has been brought forward following with a major concert due to take place on the Wednesday in Ballsbridge.

Bhoy buy

Swiss international Hakan Yakin has confirmed he is ready to talk to Celtic manager Martin O'Neill. But the FC Basle midfielder, who has emerged as a target for O'Neill, wants to meet the Parkhead boss in person according to his agent, Ertan Irizik.

"When the Celtic manager returns from his holiday, then we will speak with him," Irizik said. "I can't say when the talks will take place - this has not been settled. But it is important that both myself and Hakan are present for the discussions and we are ready to come to Glasgow."

Celtic have also been linked with a move for Derby playmaker Georgi Kinkladze.

Kewell customer

Harry Kewell's agent expects a decision to made on the Australian's future by the start of next week. Manchester United, Arsenal and Barcelona have all been linked with a move for Kewell while Leeds would like him to extend his contract and his agent Bernie Mandic expects a decision to be made soon.

"I stand by what I have said all along, and that is that I expect Harry's future to be sorted out by the end of the month," Mandic said last night.

Transfer merry-go-round

Tottenham Hotspur, looking to rejuventate their squad after a poor finish last season, said yesterday negotiations to sign 20-year-old Porto striker Helder Postiga were at an advanced stage.

Former Aston Villa midfielder Ian Taylor has joined first division Derby. The 35-year-old, who was released by Villa at the end of last season, passed a medical yesterday afternoon.

Bayer Leverkusen have hinted that Brazilian defender Lucio is for sale at the right price. "Lucio is the player who would bring in the most money," commercial manager Reiner Calmund told a news conference yesterday. "There has been interest in him at just under the double figure €10 million mark."

Fulham have agreed a pay deal with Martin Djetou and announced yesterday the Frenchman will stay at Loftus Road next season. But Parma's utility player will still be on loan - having his one-year spell extended by a further 12 months - rather than on the permanent contract he was due to sign.

Leicester City have signed former England under-21 captain Riccardo Scimeca.

English Premiership newcomers Leicester have signed Riccardo Scimeca on a free transfer from Nottingham Forest.

In Brief. . .

Frank Rijkaard has been handed the chance to transform the fortunes of Barcelona after being named as the new coach of the Catalan giants. Rijkaard takes over from former Luton midfielder Radomir Antic, who was told earlier yesterday he would not be offered a new contract by the club. Teddy Sheringham's future was still surrounded in mystery today after his agent refused to confirm he was joining Portsmouth. The English League Cup will have a new name next season after Coors Brewers Limited signed a three-year deal with the Football League. The competition will be known as the Carling Cup, replacing Worthington. And Florentia Viola, the club born out of the ashes of former Serie A side Fiorentina, have failed in a bid to revert to their historic name. The Italian Office of Patents and Trademarks refused a request to rename the club with the government office saying the trademark "Fiorentina" was "too generic".