Latest news in soccer
Robinson Spurred . . .
Tottenham are close to agreeing a deal with Leeds United to sign goalkeeper Paul Robinson.
The 24-year-old had been set to join Spurs during the January transfer window but the move fell through when it was clear he would not be able to rejoin Leeds on loan until the end of the season.
"We are in advanced talks but nothing is signed, sealed or delivered," chairman Gerald Krasner told the club's official website, www.leedsunited.com.
"Tottenham have expressed an interest, and put forward a figure but we cannot complete any deal at this stage, we hope to do that early next week."
. . . as clear-out starts
As Robinson gets set to join Spurs, the club has begun a clear-out of existing playing staff with Darren Anderton, Christian Ziege and Gus Poyet all being released at the end of the season.
Anderton and Ziege have both struggled with injuries recently while 36-year-old Poyet is no longer the force he was when he arrived from Chelsea in 2001. However, Jamie Redknapp has been awarded a one-year deal after he and the club came to an agreement over a contractual issue which stated he was entitled to a two-year extension provided he played a certain number of matches.
Dennis does a deal
Dennis Bergkamp will spend another season with Arsenal after agreeing a one-year contract extension with the Premiership champions.
The Dutch striker, 35 on Monday, has seven goals from 35 games this season, and was delighted to have extended his stay at the north London club. He told the club's official website, www.arsenal.com: "I am so pleased that I will be at Arsenal for another year. Next season will be my 10th with the club, and that just shows what Arsenal means to me."
No Toon bid for Smith
Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd has denied reports of a joint £6.5 million bid for Leeds United pair Alan Smith and Danny Mills.
Shepherd insisted he and manager Bobby Robson have not even held preliminary discussions about targets for next season. "The end-of-season meeting with Bobby Robson about players for next season has not even been held yet," he said.
Smith is a player Robson admires, although Middlesbrough, Liverpool and Birmingham are also believed to be interested.
Ireland stay in FIFA 15
Ireland have remained at number 15 in the FIFA world rankings issued yesterday, but England have dropped out of the top 10 after losing to Sweden recently. Ireland's upcoming opponents Nigeria and Romania each moved up five places from 28th to 23rd and 21st to 16th respectively.
FIFA WORLD RANKINGS (April's position in brackets): 1 (1) Brazil 838 pts; 2 (2) France 819; 3 (3) Spain 784; 4 (5=) Netherlands 744; 5 (5=) Argentina 741; 6 (4) Mexico 738; 7 (8) Turkey 737; 8 (11=) United States 724; 9 (7) Germany 723; 10 (9) Czech Republic 720; 11 (11=) Italy 717; 12= (13) Cameroon 714 12= (10) England 714; 14 (14) Denmark 700; 15 (15) Ireland 697; 16 (21) Nigeria 683; 17 (16) Belgium 674; 18 (17=) Iran 666; 19 (20) South Korea 665; 20 (17=) Portugal 662.
Trotting to the bank
Ambitious Bolton have received a £10 million boost as the season draws to a close after securing a new five-year deal with Reebok. The sportswear manufacturer is to continue as main club sponsor and kit sponsor from the start of next season.
Meanwhile the club has confirmed it is holding talks with Everton defender David Unsworth. Unsworth is out of contract at Goodison Park this summer and has rejected a new two-year deal.
Leeds not for Dowie
Iain Dowie has effectively ruled himself out of the running for the vacant Leeds post by claiming he is to honour his contract with Crystal Palace.
Dowie took over at Selhurst Park towards the end of last year and led the club away from the relegation zone and into the play-off semi-finals. He told the Croydon Guardian: "I have got an 18-month contract and I will work that 18-month contract."
