Soccer Digest

Today's other stories in brief

Ranieri keeps options open

Claudio Ranieri is increasingly concerned by delays to his appointment as Manchester City manager and could yet join Juventus instead, Kevin McCarra reports.

England's friendly against Brazil brought him to London yesterday, but he also planned talks with City and with representatives of former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra who is seeking to buy the club.

The proposed takeover is in the hands of lawyers and may not go ahead until later this month.

Ranieri will probably steer clear of the job until the club's future ownership is known because he wishes to be certain of the situation in which he would be working.

Guardian Service

Pizarro joins Chelsea

Bayern Munich striker Claudio Pizarro joined Chelsea on a free transfer yesterday. The Peru international became the London club's second signing of the close season after Reading midfielder Steve Sidwell moved to Stamford Bridge on another free transfer last month.

Pizarro scored eight Bundesliga goals for Bayern last season and was also on target four times in the Champions League. The Peruvian spent almost six years with Bayern after joining from Bundesliga rivals Werder Bremen in July 2001.

Keane seeks Forlan again

Sunderland manager Roy Keane is being linked with a second attempt to lure former team-mate Diego Forlan to Wearside. The 28-year-old Villarreal striker declined Keane's proposal last season to join him back in the Premiership should Sunderland get there.

However, with Keane and chairman Niall Quinn looking to make a splash, reports have suggested the Wearsiders could make a second approach for the Uruguay international.

Sunderland have already been linked with a lengthy list of potential targets and armed with transfer money amounting to around £25 million, they are determined to build a squad capable of making a real impact next season.

Worthington eyes job share

New Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington admits his long-term priority remains a return to club management - but he has vowed first to lead his home nation to the Euro 2008 finals.

The former Norwich manager has accepted a short-term contract up to the end of the current qualifying campaign and has refused to rule out the possibility of a job-share deal if the opportunity arises.

Worthington said: "I would love to do club management and the IFA know that."

In brief .. .

Arsenal striker Jeremie Aliadiere could leave after Middlesbrough agreed a deal with the London club for him . . . Birmingham have signed Middlesbrough's Stuart Parnaby on a three-year deal . . . Motherwell have begun their search for a new manager after Maurice Malpas parted company with the club following one season in the job . . . Atletico Madrid winger Martin Petrov is being linked with a move to Tottenham.