SOCCER SHORTS:Thierry Henry would welcome the opportunity to take in a third spell at Arsenal, but says he has not yet held discussions with the Gunners. The 34-year-old striker made an emotional return to north London in January as he took in a short-term loan spell at the Emirates.
Henry was able to link up with the Gunners during the MLS off-season, with the New York Red Bulls happy for him to maintain his fitness in Europe. The former France international has hinted that a similar deal could be put in place this season.
Arsenal’s all-time record goalscorer has also revealed he is hoping to take up a position at the Emirates once the time comes to hang up his boots. He still has 18 months left to run on his contract in New York, but is already thinking about life after football.
“I’ve not yet spoken to Arsene (Wenger) about it so I don’t know what capacity I could go back in. Coaching does interest me but I don’t know what my talent is going to be after I have finished my career. But I will go back to Arsenal.”
Rangers, SPL reach broad agreement
Broad agreement has been reached between the Scottish Premier League and Rangers following further discussions over Scottish FA membership. Nothing has been signed as yet but it is understood progress has been made and all parties are now hopeful that a deal can be done.
Rangers are due to start their season against Brechin on Sunday. The Ibrox club have been relaunched after the former incarnation could not be saved from liquidation.
Agreement between five parties – old Rangers, new Rangers, the SFA, SPL and Scottish Football League – is required for the relaunched club to inherit old Rangers’ SFA membership, which is required to play in domestic competition, including the Ramsdens Cup tie at Brechin and all league matches. The SFL have already agreed to place Rangers in Division Three after the club’s attempts to replace the old club in the SPL and First Division were unsuccessful.
The main sticking point has been Rangers’ insistence that they are not prosecuted following a dual contracts investigation.
Pardew says Liverpool should cut their losses on Carroll
Alan Pardew has advised Liverpool to cut their losses on Andy Carroll and move on. Newcastle United’s manager is keen to bring the England striker back to Tyneside but for far less than the £35 million (€44.6) that the Anfield club paid for him in January 2011.
“John Madejski [his old chairman at Reading] used to say to me about certain players ‘just wipe your nose and move on’, and I think that Liverpool are going to have to do that with Andy,” said Pardew.
“I think it was obvious as soon as Brendan [Rodgers] went into Liverpool that Andy’s time was going to have to be somewhere else. I think it’s quite right we’re involved in that.”
Rodgers has made it clear he does not envisage Carroll fitting into his short-passing playing style. The Merseyside club have said the centre-forward will not be allowed to go out on loan and are believed to be demanding around £20 million (€25.5m) for a player also coveted by West Ham and Fulham. However, Mike Ashley, Newcastle’s owner, is thought to be unwilling to pay more than £13 million (€16.6m).
LOUISE TAYLOR
Swansea not happy with Liverpool’s pursuit of Allen
Swansea last night said they were disappointed with Liverpool’s pursuit of midfielder Joe Allen. New Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers confirmed his interest in the Wales international last week.
Allen signed a four-year deal with Swansea last year but Rodgers is keen to bring him to the north-west.
And the south Wales club are disappointed, claiming Liverpool agreed not to make approaches for Swans players until next year.
A club spokesman said: “Swansea can confirm that Liverpool have expressed an interest in Joe Allen, despite a written agreement with Liverpool not to approach any players within the 12-month period of former manager Brendan Rodgers leaving for Anfield.”
Moura wants agent to keep ‘negotiating’ with United
Lucas Moura could yet become a Manchester United player after his agent, Wagner Ribeiro, claimed that he has been told to keep “negotiating” with the club by the Brazilian.
Moura is in Cardiff with the Brazil squad preparing for their opening match of London 2012 against Egypt at the Millennium Stadium today. The 19-year-old’s transfer from São Paulo had appeared off after United were asked to pay £30 million (€38m), with a £25m (€32m) bid having previously been rejected.
But Ribero told Radio Globo: “The player is my boss, I always talk to him. He determines what I do, my objectives. If he says that he doesn’t want to leave São Paulo, I won’t even listen to the offer. He told me to keep negotiating when I talked about Manchester United’s interest.
“It’s a great offer. If it was an one, he would leave, but he is happy at São Paulo too. If he stays there, life goes on.”
