Soccer Shorts Chelsea have been linked with a move for Inter Milan's Obafemi Martins after the Nigerian reportedly asked to leave the club following Hernan Crespo's arrival.
Crespo moved to Stamford Bridge in 2003 in a £16.8 million move from Internazionale but failed to shine in his first season and subsequently spent a year on loan with AC Milan.
Despite a successful season with Chelsea last term, Crespo made no secret of his wish to return to Italy and now Chelsea have allowed him to move on in a two-year deal. The Londoners have the option to buy him back after one season but that is unlikely given the player's consistently-expressed desire to play in Italy.
Chelsea's squad now contains just Didier Drogba and Andriy Shevchenko as mainstream strikers although Arjen Robben and Salomon Kalou can play in attack.
Mourinho has already been linked with a possible move for Inter's highly-rated youngster Martins, who scored twice in the 3-2 friendly victory over Porto at the weekend and then asked to leave the club when he heard of Crespo's imminent arrival.
The Nigerian international, who has been known to run 100 metres in 11 seconds, will command a fee in the region of £15 million.
Meanwhile Chelsea returned from their pre-season training camp in America waiting for confirmation England midfielder Joe Cole will miss their first six weeks of the season with knee ligament damage. Cole hurt his right knee during the club's friendly defeat by the Major League All Stars and was due to have a scan to asses the damage.
Campbell's Fratton medical
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has expressed his surprise at the news Sol Campbell is on the brink of joining Portsmouth.
The England international, who will be 32 next month, has been undergoing a medical at Fratton Park ahead of a proposed move to the south coast club.
Campbell has had attractive offers from clubs in Turkey and France since he left Arsenal last month but it appears manager Harry Redknapp is on the verge of clinching the former Tottenham player's signature.
Wenger said: It is a big surprise to me because he cancelled his contract to go abroad.
"Have you sold Portsmouth to a foreign country? No."
Portsmouth are tying up a one-year deal, with the option of another 12 months, for Campbell, whose contract was paid up by Arsenal last month.
Celtic fans taunt Le Guen
Rangers manager Paul Le Guen was confronted by rival fans after watching fierce rivals Celtic's match at Hearts on Sunday. The Frenchman was verbally abused by supporters as he left Tynecastle Stadium in Edinburgh.
Police confirmed they received reports of an incident involving the coach, who joined the Glasgow club in the summer.
The manager was spat at, had his windscreen obscured by a newspaper and was flashed at by a Celtic fan.
A spokeswoman for Lothian and Borders Police confirmed that officers attended an incident at the stadium's car park after the game.
The force said Le Guen was subjected to "banter and backchat". The spokeswoman added no complaint had been received and by the time officers arrived Le Guen had gone. Rangers declined to comment.
Meanwhile, Celtic defender Adam Virgo has agreed a season-long loan deal with Coventry City.
Barry to stay at Villa
Gareth Barry has followed skipper Olof Mellberg in indicating he is willing to pledge his future to Aston Villa following Martin O'Neill's appointment as manager.
Midfielder Barry was considering his future after becoming unsettled at the uncertainty surrounding the future at Villa where he has spent the last eight years and made over 300 appearances.
Neutral venue for Liverpool
Liverpool's Champions League qualifier against Maccabi Haifa will be played on a neutral ground after Uefa announced no European games will be held in Israel during the current armed conflict.
Uefa have told the Israeli FA and clubs to provide alternative venues within another Uefa member association. Liverpool are playing Maccabi Haifa at Anfield tomorrow, with the return leg on August 23rd.
In brief . . .
Bobby Robson was released from hospital yesterday but will undergo further tests later this week. Robson was taken to hospital during Ipswich's Championship home game with Crystal Palace on Saturday. Stuart Pearce has confirmed he is looking to bring Tunisia full back Hatem Trabelsi to Manchester City from Ajax. Bolton have accepted a bid from Saudi Arabia club Al Ittihad for Mexican striker Jared Borgetti.
Charlton were expected to complete a double signing last night after agreeing a fees with Liverpool for Djimi Traore and Newcastle for midfielder Amdy Faye. Norway coach Aage Hareide has recalled Manchester United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to his squad for the prestige August 16th friendly against Brazil.
Kenny Miller has urged Neil Lennon to remain at Parkhead after the Celtic skipper was linked with Martin O'Neill's Aston Villa. Lennon did not make Celtic's starting line-up against Hearts on Sunday. Miller said: "He has been a massive part of the Celtic team over the last five or six seasons and he would be a great loss if he was to go."
