Today's other stories in brief
Burnley break the bank for Fletcher
BURNLEY HAVE broken their transfer record to sign Hibernian striker Steven Fletcher for €3.5 million. The 22-year-old, who has four Scotland caps, joins the Turf Moor club for their first Premier League campaign having scored 52 goals 190 appearances at Easter Road.
Blackburn have signed French midfielder Steven N’Zonzi from Amiens SC on a four-year contract. The 20-year-old only made his professional debut in April 2008 but last season played 35 times.
Le Tissier out but Saints still hopeful
ADMINISTRATORS IN charge of Southampton remain hopeful of selling the stricken club despite the withdrawal of the Matt Le Tissier-backed Pinnacle consortium.
Pinnacle yesterday pulled out of the running to take over at St Mary’s to leave the club in grave danger of going to the wall.
Joint administrator Mark Fry said last week he may have to begin winding up Southampton on Friday if a buyer is not found. However, yesterday’s sale of striker David McGoldrick to Nottingham Forest, for €1.2 million, means wages can again be paid and has given Southampton a stay of execution.
Le Tissier blamed the failure of the bid on being unable to come to agreement with the Football League over the 10-point penalty the club were hit with after their holding company entered administration last season. Two overseas consortia are in the running to save the club.
Maldini rejected Chelsea staff role
FORMER ITALY captain Paolo Maldini turned down an offer to join Chelsea’s backroom staff, new coach Carlo Ancelotti said yesterday.
The 41-year-old defender, who retired at the end of last season, spoke to Ancelotti about following the former AC Milan coach from the San Siro to London.
“It was a proposal I made to him but at the moment he wants to rest a bit,” Ancelotti told Italian radio.
Ancelotti, who has been linked in the media with bids for Milan duo Alexandre Pato and Andrea Pirlo, said Cristiano Ronaldo’s world record €94 million move from Manchester United to Real Madrid had warped the transfer market.
“Now the truth is the market is very complicated because the prices after the sale of Ronaldo to Real Madrid have all become a bit mad,” he said.
