Sport

Newslines: United chase Desailly

Alex Ferguson is trying to sign Chelsea's World Cup winning defender Marcel Desailly

Mon Jun 05 2000 - 01:00

Alex Ferguson is trying to sign Chelsea's World Cup winning defender Marcel Desailly. The French star would form a daunting centre-back pairing with Dutchman Jaap Stam, and United boss Ferguson is already in talks with the 31-year-old's agent.

While Desailly admits it would be "a dream" to play for United, he insists he will remain loyal to Chelsea if they want to keep him for the two years remaining of his contract.

Desailly told French sports paper L'Equipe: "I'm aware of Alex Ferguson's intentions and I'm flattered. Who wouldn't dream of playing for Manchester United, even if eight other top European clubs are currently interested in me?

"For now I'm a Chelsea player and I intend to respect the club which employs me. As far as negotiations go, it's not only up to me, it concerns Chelsea and the other clubs and I'll be keeping a close watch on the situation."

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Stam enthused about the possibility of playing alongside Desailly, saying: "If it happens, it would be a good thing. He's an experienced player who's already shown his value with Milan and Chelsea."

Desailly's agent Pape Diouf confirmed that United were interested in the Ghana-born defender. "Alex Ferguson has, indeed, contacted me," he said, "Marcel is still under contract for two years with Chelsea and it's now up to them to say what they think."

Frank Leboeuf has his heart set on a move to southern Italy with former Serie A giants Napoli. The Chelsea centre-back (32) has revealed he is ready to quit Stamford Bridge despite picking up an FA Cup winner's medal a little over a fortnight ago.

Leboeuf, currently with the French squad for Euro 2000, said: "I've been told my friend (Gianfranco) Zola is likely to join Napoli. And all things taken into account, I would not be unhappy to go with him."

Former England coach Terry Venables has been offered £1.3 million a year to manage the Libyan national team. "They asked me in the middle of the week if I would be interested and said they would get back to me. I'm not at liberty to talk about the details," Venables said.