Today's other stories in brief
Berlusconi talks to Ronaldinho's agent
AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi is still hoping to sign Ronaldinho from FC Barcelona this summer.
Asked on a radio talk show yesterday on whether there is still a chance for the Brazil midfielder to join the Serie A club, Berlusconi responded "absolutely yes".
Berlusconi, the media mogul-politician who is getting ready for a third stint as Italy's premier after winning this week's general election, said he had met Ronaldinho's agent and brother, Roberto De Assis, for dinner on Monday.
"He brought me a jersey of (Ronaldinho's) with a very affectionate dedication for me," Berlusconi said.
Italian media have said Milan may offer Ronaldinho €8 million a season until 2012 and €20 million to Barcelona to release him.
Meanwhile, playmaker Kaka could be on collision course with AC Milan over his desire to represent Brazil at this summer's Olympic Games.
Everton close to sealing Pienaar deal
EVERTON are hopeful of completing the €2.7 million signing of South African international midfielder Steven Pienaar from Borussia Dortmund before the end of this week.
Pienaar has been on loan at Goodison Park from the German club side since July last year, and has been impressive in the 24 matches he has played for Everton so far this season.
The 26-year-old last week expressed concern that a deal between Everton and Dortmund might have fallen through. But an Everton spokesman has allayed the player's fears, disclosing that the deal is in its final phase.
"The deal has been in place for some time and the final points are now being worked on," he said.
Derby prospects not looking good
DERBY County manager Paul Jewell says the club has already spent the first year of parachute payments which will be received after their relegation.
Premier League clubs get payments for two seasons after they go down to the Championship, but Jewell told BBC Radio: "It has gone for next year.
"It was spent before I got here by the previous regime so it is not as though I have got all that to spend. Luckily, the board say they are going to give me some money."
Jewell has admitted his relegated side would struggle to get out of the Championship at present.
He thinks his side, as it stands, would be also-rans in England's second tier and knows he has his work cut out to build a side capable of returning to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
He said: "I know what it takes to get out of the Championship and this team would struggle. I will do everything I can to give the supporters a team they can be proud of."
Wenger willing to put money where his mouth is
ARSENAL MANAGER Arsene Wenger says he is not scared to spend big money and will do so if the right player becomes available this summer.
Wenger could have as much as €87 million to spend on new players at the end of the season but doubts have been expressed over whether the Frenchman would go on a big spree in the summer.
Even so, Wenger says he would spend big if the right players became available and has hit back at suggestions he is frightened to get the cheque book out.
"Scared of what? I would not be scared," he said. "We couldn't afford him now so we have to forget it. But the money (we have paid out) is not comparable to what other teams have spent on players.
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich officials have reportedly made Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini (24) top of their summer-shopping list and winger Alexander Hleb is attacking interest from Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus according to reports.
Leeds tribunal gets underway
AN independent tribunal to consider the validity of a 15-point penalty imposed on Leeds United by the English Football League gets under way behind closed doors in London today.
Leeds' lawyers will attempt to convince a three-man panel that the league acted outside its jurisdiction when docking the points at the start of this season as punishment for allegedly breaking competition rules on insolvency.
If the sanction is overturned and Leeds, are given all their points back, the consequences in League One could be far-reaching. Leeds, who where beaten 1-0 at Huddersfield last night, would be thrust into the second automatic promotion place at the expense of Carlisle with three games left. The tribunal could last for up to three days and the ruling is expected to be made public on Saturday.
Romario hangs his boots up
FORMER Brazil striker Romario has announced his retirement at the age of 42, ending a career in which he won the World Cup and claimed to have scored more than 1,000 goals. "Officially I'm not playing any more. I've stopped," Romario said. "My time is up. Everything has been a lot of fun." Romario had four stints with Vasco da Gama, where he started and finished his career, and also played for Barcelona, PSV Eindhoven and Valencia.
