Coventry striker Dion Dublin has turned down a £5 million move to Middlesbrough. Dublin will stay at Highfield Road for the immediate future. After the clubs agreed a fee late last week, following the 28-yearold's rejection of a £17,000-a-week contract, it seemed Dublin was ready to move. However, he told manager Gordon Strachan yesterday that he will now stay at the club. This latest twist could prompt other bids for the former Manchester United striker whose contract expires in 18 months.
Everton manager Howard Kendall also had good news yesterday after his captain Gary Speed insisted he was not leaving the club. Speed has been the subject of three bids by Newcastle and was said to have wanted a move.
Leeds United's Republic of Ireland international defender Gary Kelly is set to sign a new four-and-a-half year deal later this week. Kelly has recently been in negotiation with Leeds manager George Graham.
Kelly is almost certain to commit his future to the club until 2002, having started his senior career at Elland Road as a 17-year-old in the 1991-92 season.
Arsenal said yesterday that a move to Wembley Stadium could become a option for the club if plans to redevelop their own ground at Highbury are blocked. However, the idea was quickly ruled out by the Sports Council and treated warily by the English FA, who between them will direct major financial input to the £240 million project to turn Wembley into England's new National Stadium by the year 2002.
Arsenal, who believe their future depends heavily on being able to accommodate many more fans than the 38,500 which is the current capacity at Highbury, have been given the go-ahead by Islington Council to submit a planning application for redevelopment. The club is expected to aim for a minimum ground capacity of 50,000.
Referee Steve Lodge last night confirmed he was standing by his controversial dismissal of Coventry defender Paul Williams. The centreback was given his marching orders for clipping Dennis Bergkamp's heel as he was clean through on goal.
"Having studied it in detail," said Lodge, "I have now put my report into the FA telling them that the guy Williams got sent off for a professional foul. It was serious foul play. I am standing by that." Mr Lodge is likely to feel another burst of Gordon Strachan's wrath.
Jurgen Klinsmann will not retire completely from football at the end of the season as was reported yesterday. Klinsmann was referring only to international football - news that will come as a relief to Tottenham fans who hope he will extend his contract at the end of the season.
Klinsmann rejoined Spurs last month after falling out with Italian club Sampdoria. He signed a contract until the end of the season and expressed his intention to lead his country in the World Cup finals in France.
