United hold fire on Pallister move

Manchester United are not prepared to sell Gary Pallister back to Middlesbrough until after the World Cup. Middlesbrough boss Bryan Robson has made a bid, believed to be worth £2 million, for the former England central defender.

United chairman Martin Edwards is considering the Teessiders' offer, but is in no hurry to let Pallister go.

United want to wait and make sure Jaap Stam, who completes his record £10.75 million move from PSV Eindhoven on July 1st, comes through the World Cup for Holland unscathed.

"We're aware of Bryan Robson's interest in Gary Pallister and they have made a bid for him," said Edwards.

"But any possible move for Gary to Middlesbrough is on hold until after the World Cup finals. Obviously we want to ensure Stam is free of injury before we complete his transfer on July 1st."

Pallister (32), cost United a then British record transfer fee of £2.3 million when he moved to Old Trafford in August 1989. But Stam's imminent arrival has cast a question mark over his future at Old Trafford.

Pallister's financial demands, however, could prove a stumbling block to a move as he is just one season away from his United testimonial, which could earn him as much as £500,000.

The deal could hinge on how much Middlesbrough, who will be back in the Premiership next season, will offer him in terms of his signing-on fee and contract to compensate him.

Robson said: "Negotiations with United are ongoing and I'm hopeful he will join us."

Manchester United winger Ben Thornley is set to sign for Huddersfield. Thornley (23), who spent 12 matches on loan at the McAlpine Stadium during the 1995-96 season, has agreed a three-year deal with the First Division outfit. United boss Alex Ferguson wants £500,000 for Thornley.

Roberto Di Matteo has told Chelsea he wants to stay at Stamford Bridge for the foreseeable future - quashing claims that he was looking to return to Italy.

Reports in the Italian press earlier this week indicated the midfielder could be set to leave the Premiership two years after joining Chelsea from Lazio in a £4.9million deal.

But Chelsea managing director Colin Hutchinson said: "He's very happy at Chelsea and extended his contract to 2002 as recently as last December.

"We want to strengthen the squad and challenge for the championship and compete in the Champions' League - and you don't do that by selling your best players.

"It seems to us that one or two agents - who have no connection with Roberto - may be trying to engineer a move and a pay-day for themselves.

"Of course one day near the end of his career, Roberto will probably want to return to Italy - but that day is a long way off."

French defender Remi Garde has signed a new deal with Arsenal after changing his mind about retiring from the game. The 32year-old announced earlier in the season he would quit, but was persuaded by team-mates, including Dennis Bergkamp, not to retire.

Garde is one of three players to sign new one-year deals at Highbury with John Lukic and Michael Black also putting pen to paper.

Manager Arsene Wenger has decided to release five players including Scott Marshall, on a free transfer under the Bosman ruling, and former Ipswich striker Chris Kiwomya.