A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Kraft work for Parry
Liverpool have held talks with the US-based Kraft family over the funding of their proposed new ground, the Premiership club announced yesterday. The Kraft family were understood to be the main backers behind the L4 consortium which had looked into buying a stake in the European champions earlier this year.
That deal did not materialise but Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry visited the United States last weekend on an invitation from the Krafts. He watched the two clubs they own - the MLS team New England Revolution and NFL's New England Patriots - playing at the Gillette Stadium.
"It certainly wasn't a secret visit, having attended two games with a combined attendance of over 100,000 people," Parry said. "I've had a long-standing invitation to visit the Gillette stadium, which is one of the very few privately-funded stadia in the USA.
"They were keen for me to see at close hand how the match-day operation ran. It also gave us the opportunity to discuss the way in which they had funded the construction of the ground."
Liverpool are looking for a way to finance their proposed new 60,000 stadium on Stanley Park next to Anfield. Media reports suggest that fresh talks between the Krafts and Liverpool over an investment in the English Premier League club have also taken place.
Liverpool midfielder John Welsh (21) is set for a permanent move to Hull City in a swap deal that will see teenager Paul Anderson head in the opposite direction.
France leave it late
Arsenal's Thierry Henry and Djibril Cisse of Liverpool both scored as France came from two goals down to beat Costa Rica 3-2 in Martinique last night.
Costa Rica appeared on the verge of a shock win after racing into a 2-0 half-time lead but former Arsenal striker Nicolas Anelka pulled one back for France early in the second half and Henry and Cisse struck to see the French prevail.
Warnock in demand
Sheffield United vice-chairman Terry Robinson has hit back at reports linking manager Neil Warnock with a move to Premiership strugglers Portsmouth.
Warnock refuses to comment on suggestions he could be lured to Fratton Park by to replace Alain Perrin, who only arrived in April.
"This story started back in October and it's dragged on," said Robinson. "It's pure speculation."
Vela on way to Arsenal
Arsenal have reached an agreement to sign striker Carlos Vela according to reports in Mexico's media. The 16-year-old recently helped Mexico win the under-17 World Cup. Vela's father Enrique told said Arsenal had agreed to pay £2million for the youngster, who will play for Spanish side Valencia until he is 18.
The 16-year-old Cancun-born striker has not made his professional debut with present club Guadalajara. Enrique Vela said the entire family except Carlos' brother Alejandro will move to Spain.
Meanwhile, Arsenal have shown a firm interest in St Etienne's 25-year-old central midfielder Didier Zokora. The Ivory Coast international has been told by his club that he can leave next summer for an appropriate fee, but that he will not be sold in January.
Chelsea to fork up
Chelsea have been ordered to pay up to £800,000 compensation to Stockport for youngster Harry Worley.
The 16-year-old defender moved to Stamford Bridge in the summer and an initial fee of £150,000 will rise by £450,000 if Worley makes 40 appearances. A further £200,000 will be added if he makes a competitive international appearance.
Wigan make amends
Wigan are set to offer defender Pascal Chimbonda a new contract to close a loophole in his current agreement which would allow him to leave in January.
The right back signed a three-year deal in the summer after arriving from Bastia for £500,000, but written into that was a buy-out clause. Such has been his form that Wigan are keen to tie him to the JJB Stadium on improved terms.
In Brief . . .
Newcastle captain Alan Shearer returns to training this week after undergoing a hernia surgery . . . A friendly between Morocco and Cameroon, set for next week near Paris, will not take place at the planned venue following riots in the area . . . Former Celtic and Rangers striker Mo Johnston has been named head coach of MetroStars, a month after taking on a caretaker role at the Major League club.SoccerShorts
