Soccer shorts

Today's other soccer stories in brief.

Juventus want Kuyt to replace Nedved 

JUVENTUS are ready to launch a €29.8 million bid for Dirk Kuyt, according to reports in Italy.
Il Corriere Dello Sportclaims that negotiations will begin next week as Juventus seek a replacement for Pavel Nedved.

The Czech star’s agent Mino Raiola has told Juve that he will not accept a pay-as-you-play deal so the Old Lady have apparently turned to Kuyt instead.

While Werder Bremen’s Diego, CSKA Moscow’s Yuri Zhirkov and Real Madrid’s Rafael van de Vaart have also been linked with a move to Turin, 28-year-old Kuyt has now been identified as the preferred choice.

Juventus are believed to have already made contact with the Dutch player’s agent, and it is believed negotiations with Kuyt will begin within the next week.

Any bid would inevitably test the relationship between Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez and the club’s American owners as Kuyt is regarded to be one of Benitez’ favourite players.

Newcastle figures released

NEWCASTLE had to pay out nearly €5 million to Sam Allardyce and his staff after dispensing with his services.

Financial figures for the period to June 30th, 2008, which have just been signed off, revealed the club handed over a total of €4,908,655 after showing Allardyce the door in January last year.

In addition, the results confirm Ashley’s claim he has poured €106 million into the club since completing his €143 million takeover, and reveal he has injected a further €10 million into the business since the end of the reporting period.

Wages and salaries amounted to €66.5 million, up from €55.6 million, and although the ratio between wages and turnover fell, it still amounted to 70 per cent.

Zola did 'everything' to keep Bellamy

WEST Ham manager Gianfranco Zola yesterday moved to clear up any confusion over Craig Bellamy’s departure for Manchester City, maintaining West Ham — who had offered the much-travelled Wales striker a new deal — did all they could to retain his services.

“We wanted to keep Craig and we tried everything to keep him,” Zola insisted. “He decided he wanted a new experience. We couldn’t keep someone who was so determined to leave.

“He did not go on strike. He didn’t train one day because he had a problem with his calf and the day after was not a compulsory day so he didn’t train. It’s as simple as that.

“The fans have to be comfortable when I say that if somebody wants to stay here, then we’re not going to send players away that are important for the team unless they want to go when they have their reasons.”

Southgate starts recruitment drive

MIDDLESBROUGH have agreed to sign Wigan striker Marlon King on loan until the end of the season.

The 28-year-old, who has spent the first half of the campaign on loan at Hull, is expected to join up with the Middlesbrough squad over the weekend after travelling to the north east of England yesterday to tie up his move.

Middlesbrough also hope to push through 23-year-old midfielder Ben Watson’s €2.2 million switch from Crystal Palace today.

Manager Gareth Southgate also confirmed Wigan have been given permission to talk to Egypt striker Mido after inquiring about a loan move.

Meanwhile, Colombian striker Hugo Rodallega had a medical yesterday ahead of confirming his €4.8 million move to Wigan from Mexican side Necaxa.

Providing there are no problems, the 23-year-old, who secured a work permit 10 days ago, is expected to finalise his transfer by the weekend.

Loyalties lost as cup fever restarts

DERBY and Nottingham Forest kick off this weekend’s English FA Cup fourth round tonight; it is one of three ties guaranteeing Championship representation in the last 16. There will be no split loyalties for Derby manager Nigel Clough against his previous club as both clubs are haunted by relegation from the second tier of English football.

Forest humbled Manchester City in the last round but Derby struggled to get past non-league Forest Green Rovers at the first time of asking. Brian Clough had successful spells at both these clubs.

Son Nigel is still looking for a first victory in charge of Derby since taking over and Billy Davies faces his former club holding a 100 per cent record as manager of Forest (won two of two). Forest lie two places above Derby at 18th in the Championship with the Rams two points above the relegation zone and Forest three points above the trap door. The match will be broadcast live on Setanta Sports at 7.45 pm.

Gudjohnsen 'not going' to Rovers

EIDUR Gudjohnsen’s father and agent Arnor has dismissed reports linking the Barcelona midfielder to a reunion with Blackburn Rovers manager Sam Allardyce, who managed him at Bolton.

“He is not going anywhere, 100 per cent,” he said. “(Coach Pep) Guardiola said at the start of the summer that he wants to keep him for the whole season.

“In the summer he has one year left on his contract. Then we will see what happens.”