Soccer Shorts

Arsenal target Ribery

Arsenal yesterday stepped up their interest in Franck Ribery with a £10 million bid for the France winger, but are likely to be thwarted in their pursuit of the World Cup's hot property by the £26 million interest of Real Madrid.

There is further competition within France, where the domestic champions Lyon registered a £20.75 million bid a fortnight ago to set the market at a level far exceeding Arsenal's offer.

Meanwhile, Ghana captain Stephen Appiah has admitted he would like to join the Gunners. The Fenerbahce midfielder attracted a host of admirers after some impressive World Cup displaybut the 25-year-old said: "No deal has been done yet but 50 per cent of me is coming to Arsenal - they are my number one choice."

Downing staying put

Gareth Southgate last night warned off Tottenham from his winger Stewart Downing. Middlesbrough rejected an offer from Spurs earlier this year, but fear Martin Jol will make another attempt to prise Downing away.

Southgate, who took training yesterday for the first time since succeeding Steve McClaren, said: "I wouldn't want to lose Stewart at all and I certainly wouldn't want to lose him to a club like Spurs who are hopefully going to be one of our main rivals next season."

Yesterday, former Chelsea centre back Robert Huth was introduced to the Boro squad before the 21-year-old completed a medical prior to finalising his £5 million transfer.

As former Boro striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink underwent a medical at Charlton, Nigerian Aiyegbeni Yakubu, was endeavouring to obtain the visa he needs to leave Lagos and return for training at Boro.

Ricksen fears chop

Fernando Ricksen believes he has played his last game for Rangers after being sent home from their pre-season trip to South Africa.

The Dutchman, who turns 30 later this month, will fly back to Glasgow following "inappropriate behaviour" on the flight to Johannesburg.

Ricksen admits to drinking on the plane and having an argument with an air stewardess, but has accused new boss Paul Le Guen of over-reacting.