SOCCER: A round-up of today's stories in brief

Sunderland aim to keep Henderson

SUNDERLAND have no intention of selling England midfielder Jordan Henderson (20 ) to Liverpool or anyone else this summer.

The Merseyside club are ready to launch a big-money bid to lure him away from his home-town club. However, while the Black Cats know every player has his price, they are certainly not looking to cash in on their highest-profile Academy graduate as manager Steve Bruce attempts to strengthen his squad for a fresh Premier League campaign. Sources on Wearside have indicated Henderson is simply not for sale, and certainly not at the €14 million fee quoted in some reports.

Nevertheless, that is unlikely to quell the rumours surrounding a player who has previously been linked with both Manchester clubs.

Henderson has enjoyed a meteoric rise since emerging as a genuine first-team prospect under Bruce following a successful loan spell at Coventry.

Van Nistelrooy signs for Malaga

RUUD VAN NISTELROOY has signed a one-year contract with La Liga club Malaga. The 34-year-old Dutch international will be presented to fans later in the day, as he returns to Spain after an 18-month spell with Hamburg SV.

Malaga were bought by a member of the Qatari royal family last year and have outlined ambitious plans to try and turn the modest club into a major force in Spain.

Bid for West Ham 'derisory'

WEST HAM chairman David Sullivan has dismissed Tony Fernandes’ bid to buy the club as derisory. Fernandes, the Malaysian businessman behind AirAsia and the Lotus Formula One team, announced on Wednesday he had submitted an offer for the club he supports.

But Sullivan said: “Tony Fernandes wanted to buy 51 per cent of the club for two bob. He thinks somehow that we are desperate to have him involved or desperate for the small amount of money he offered for 51 per cent of the club.

Sullivan and Gold do want to attract new investors into a club that is saddled with debts that could rise to over €100 million following relegation from the Premier League. “We are not looking to sell the club but, as we have always said, we would love co-investors to join us in rebuilding West Ham United, which has been our aim ever since we took charge back in January 2010,” said Sullivan.

Santos reach Libertadores Cup Final

TWICE South American champions Santos reached the Libertadores Cup final on Wednesday night after holding on for a thrilling 3-3 draw at Paraguay’s Cerro Porteno in Asuncion.

The Brazilian side won the semi-final tie 4-3 on aggregate having beaten Cerro 1-0 at home in last week’s first leg. However, captain Edu Dracena will miss the final after being sent off in added time. Santos, champions in 1962 and 1963 during Pele’s heyday, face either Velez Sarsfield of Argentina or Penarol of Uruguay, who meet in the second leg of their tie in Buenos Aires today. Penarol won the first leg 1-0. “They are a very good side and they have Neymar, who makes the difference,” Cerro’s Juan Manuel Lucero said.

Villa rule out move for Hughes after he quits

MARK HUGHES will not be the new Aston Villa manager despite walking out on Fulham last night. The Welshman had been the favourite to succeed Gerard Houllier but Villa have turned their attention elsewhere, after being unimpressed with the course of events that ultimately culminated in Hughes activating a break clause in his contract and quitting Fulham.

Martin Jol and Steve McClaren are now at the top of Villa’s shortlist. In a further twist, Jol and McClaren, who are out of work and eager to return to employment in the Premier League, will also be leading candidates to take over at Craven Cottage from Hughes, who had been expected to sign an improved two-year contract.

Villa, however, informed Fulham that they would not be making an approach for Hughes in the hours before his decision to leave.

GuardianService

Palacios move to Napoli in doubt

TOTTENHAM midfielder Wilson Palacios’ mooted switch to Napoli is on the rocks after the Italian club admitted negotiations have stalled because of the potential transfer fee. The 26-year-old had been close to a move to the Serie A outfit after slipping down the pecking order at White Hart Lane last season.

Napoli have confirmed their interest in the Honduras international but sporting director Riccardo Bigon claims they are not happy with the sum of money Spurs are demanding. “Wilson interests us a lot,” Bigon said. “But negotiations have stalled for now. Tottenham are ready to sell him outright, but they want a lot of money in order to let him go. Everything should become clearer in seven to 10 days’ time. Let’s wait and see what happens.”