Chelsea have offered nearly £2 million to Argentinian side River Plate for Spanish international striker Juan Antonio Pizzi, it was reported in Buenos Aires yesterday.
A River Plate spokesman said that representatives of the European Cup Winners Cup holders had made the offer to the Argentinian-born naturalised-Spaniard's managers.
The 30-year-old, who has scored eight goals in 22 appearances for Spain, joined the Argentinian club in the summer from Barcelona for £1.2 million.
Meanwhile, one of the most coveted sponsorships in football will go on the market to the highest bidder after Arsenal announced that their 18-year link with Japanese electronics giant JVC will end at the end of the season.
Arsenal players have worn the JVC logo on their jerseys since 1981 and it has brought around £20 million to the club in the longest-running sponsorship deal in the game.
But now as the Premiership and FA Cup Double-winners seek all available funds to finance stadium redevelopment at Highbury or relocation to a new ground, a major price-war is sure to break out over who will be next to put their shirts on the Gunners.
It could have proved too hot for JVC, who now plan to divert much of their sponsorship resources into the World Cup finals of 2002 which will be co-hosted by Japan.
Sportswear giants Nike, who are already substantially contracted to supply Arsenal's match and training strip, could be among the front runners.
