Fulham have attempted to head off Manchester United's interest in their striker Louis Saha by opening talks on a contract extension. The 25-year-old Frenchman's current deal ends in 2006, but his form this season, with 10 goals in 16 league appearances has caught Alex Ferguson's eye.

The United manager is keen to add to his forward options, but considers there to be few suitable players available. Unlike many cup-tied strikers, though, Saha is still available for European competition, prompting Ferguson to sound out agents in an attempt to broker a deal for around Pounds £7 million.

Battle of Britain

Proposals from the English Football League for a British Cup final have been welcomed by their Scottish counterparts.

The Football League and the Premier League have written to English clubs outlining the proposal, which would involve a game between the League Cup winners either side of the border.

It has been suggested that the winners would receive £450,000 and runners-up £300,000 - with the inaugural event possibly taking place as early as this season at Hampden Park.

Town move

Athlone Town has announced that Jimmy Greene has relinquished the first-team manager's post and become the club's head of youth development.

The Soccer Writers Association of Ireland has revealed a shortlist of six for its Personality Of The Year award.

Jason Byrne of Shelbourne is joined on the list by five managers - his own boss Pat Fenlon, John Gill of Dublin City, Limerick's Mike Kerley, Longford's Alan Matthews and former Waterford United manager Jimmy McGeough.

St Patrick's Chris Adamson, Bohs' Shay Kelly and Shel's Steve Williams are in contention for the goalkeeping prize.

No defence

Newcastle defender Titus Bramble has been banned from the roads for seven weeks and fined £2,000 after he admitted driving at 102 m.p.h. in a BMW X5 and breaching the terms of his driving licence.

Contract for life

Ruud van Nistelrooy has said he will finish his career at Manchester United if he signs a new contract at Old Trafford.

But the 27-year-old has admitted "in football everything is possible", following speculation linking him with Real Madrid.

The player said he is aware of interest from Spain. "Of course I have heard it. What do you want me to say? You know that in football everything is possible.

"What is certain is that if I sign a new contract with Manchester, this will mean I will finish my career there."

Signing on

Tottenham midfielder Rohan Ricketts has agreed a one-year contract extension with the north London club. The extension keeps the 21-year-old at White Hart Lane until 2007.

Meanwhile Paul Konchesky has extended his loan at Tottenham by a month."It would be horrible to go back (to Charlton) and I know for a fact I want to sign for Spurs," he said yesterday.

Round two

Deportivo's Lionel Scaloni has continued the row with David Beckham by vowing to take revenge on the Real Madrid midfielder when the two sides meet again in May. Beckham and the Argentinian became involved in a heated row during Real's 2-1 win on Sunday.

"There is always a chance of revenge in football and we will see each other again on a football pitch," Scaloni said.

"That is where things are decided and I will be waiting for him in our Riazor stadium for the next game."

Hoping to commit

Alan Mahon is still hopeful of signing for Ipswich on a permanent basis. The Ireland midfielder, whose loan at Portman Road expires on January 8th, is also keen to participate in the FA Cup third-round tie against Derby.

"To be honest I don't expect to get a look in at Blackburn," Mahon said. "Different managers have different opinions and Graeme Souness has his own views at Ewood Park. Hopefully I will be given the all-clear to face Derby - and also to sign full time for Ipswich."

End in sight

Everton will attempt to off-load their unsettled Ghanaian midfielder Alex Nyarko to the French club Racing Club de Strasbourg in exchange for Christian Bassila during the transfer window.

Bassila, a former France Under-21 international who was previously with Lyon, Rennes and West Ham United, where he made three appearances during the 2000-01 season, has impressed with the first division club.

Rich man's game

Brazilian clubs have voted to increase ticket prices for next season, with club directors openly admitting they are trying to attract a more elite public.

"Poor people cannot afford to take the bus, pay for food or clothes, they live in misery," said Mario Cesar Petraglia, president of Atletico Paranaense.

"We have to work with people who can afford to go to the stadiums."

In brief. . .

Arsenal have agreed to allow winger Jermaine Pennant remain on loan at Leeds for a fifth month. Wales are to play Scotland in a friendly at the Millennium Stadium on February 18th. West Brom and Norwich are to fight it out for the signature of Manchester City's Darren Huckerby. Fulham will return to play at Craven Cottage from the start of next season. And an Italian toy manufacturer has stopped production of a controversial soccer game called Seize the Referee, after complaints from the Italian Referees Association.