Tottenham full back Steve Carr is refusing to rule out the possibility of joining Sol Campbell in a double move to Barcelona, according to his agent. The Spanish club is already hoping to sign former Tottenham skipper Campbell after he quit White Hart Lane on a Bosman free transfer.
Barcelona's chances of luring the England defender were enhanced when they qualified for the Champions League with a last-gasp 3-2 victory over Valencia in the Nou Camp on Sunday night.
Republic of Ireland international Carr has subsequently been tipped to join his former team-mate, even though the Premiership side have not received an official bid from Barcelona. Carr would command a fee of at least £10 million. The player's agent, Robert Segal, said that Carr would consider interest from Barcelona or any other top European side. Segal stressed that while Carr remains happy at Tottenham, nobody would dismiss the opportunity to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world.
"Steve is very happy at Spurs," he said, "but if a club like Barcelona were to make an official approach, then he would think very seriously about it." Tottenham manager Glenn Hoddle sees Carr as an integral part of his rebuilding plans, but needs extra money to achieve his aims. He also has other young players emerging in the full back position, including Luke Young and Alton Thelwell. However, it is unlikely that the club's supporters would be happy if Carr were to follow Campbell to Barcelona or elsewhere in Europe.
Ipswich chairman David Sheepshanks and manager George Burley rounded on Moroccan midfielder Hassan Kachloul last night after he opted to join Aston Villa. Kachloul announced only last Thursday he was leaving Southampton for Portman Road after striking a verbal agreement with the UEFA Cup contenders.
His sudden change of heart has shocked and disheartened the Ipswich hierarchy, who heard of his decision at 2 p.m. yesterday. With obvious reference to Kachloul, Sheepshanks and Burley said in a joint statement: "Ipswich Town is built on solid foundations where honour and integrity are fundamental to our future success."
Kachloul was due to return to Ipswich tomorrow to complete the formalities of the move. Now he is heading for Villa Park instead.
"This news has come as a big shock to us as we trusted the word of Hassan and his agent as their bond," said Sheepshanks and Burley in the joint statement.
Villa manager John Gregory was thrilled at the coup. "We are just delighted he's chosen us ahead of some very formidable opposition," he said. "He'll bring other options to us. He's a competitive player, he's versatile in as much as he can play anywhere in the front six positions - right-hand side, left-hand side, he can play there."
Dutchman Giovanni van Bronckhorst completed his £8.5 million move from Rangers to Arsenal yesterday. The 26 year-old midfielder, who has signed a five-year contact, was unveiled at Highbury five days after Arsenal splashed out £8 million on Everton striker Francis Jeffers.
Rangers responded to the departure of van Bronckhorst by agreeing terms with Borussia Dortmund for midfielder Christian Nerlinger. It is thought Rangers will pay around £2.5 million for Nerlinger, who will fly to Glasgow for negotiations within the next 48 hours.
Everton yesterday refused to play down their reported interest in Rangers' unhappy defender Lorenzo Amoruso. Manager Walter Smith is looking for a replacement for Richard Gough and is weighing up his options, with Celtic's Alan Stubbs also a target.
Blackburn remain confident of securing the services of Tugay Kermioglu after his initial application for a work permit was refused. The British Home Office say the Turkish midfielder does not meet the required criteria. Blackburn, who had agreed terms with the player and a transfer fee with Rangers, are to appeal against the decision to the Football Review Panel.
Blackburn agreed a £1.3 million fee with Rangers for Tugay, subject to a work permit being granted, after he fell out of favour last season with Dick Advocaat. Tugay spent most of the time on the bench and his frustration boiled over in one international game when he threw his shirt at the Turkish coach.
Wes Brown is to begin talks within the next month on a new contract with Manchester United which is expected to see his wages double to around £30,000 a week. The 21-year-old England centrehalf is next on Alex Ferguson's list of players he wants to tie to a new long-term contract before he steps down as manager in a year's time.
Nolberto Solano has signed a new contract that will keep him at Newcastle United for the next five years. Peruvian international midfielder Solano told the Newcastle Evening Chronicle: "After all the talk about me moving abroad I am happy to be staying at Newcastle United."
UEFA president Lennart Johansson kept up the pressure on FIFA president Sepp Blatter yesterday by demanding he provide answers about the collapse of marketing partner ISMM/ISL.
Blatter was grilled by his executive committee last week after European ruling body UEFA put down 25 questions on ISMM/ISL's bankruptcy. Johansson, who stood against Blatter for the FIFA presidency in 1998 and lost, said in a statement he would not be happy until all his questions were answered in writing.
"The world of football, including the media and many followers of the game, understands that we have not taken these steps lightly. It is clear that the time has come for answers and for a new and more transparent approach from FIFA," Johansson said.
Johansson, who missed last week's meeting because he had to undergo medical tests, said he hoped to meet Blatter later this week.
