Chelsea eye Savio's Real situation

Alan Nixon
Friday 01 September 2000 19:00 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Savio has told Real Madrid he plans to leave the Spanish club, a decision that has given Gianluca Vialli hope that he can bring him to England in an £8m transfer.

Savio has told Real Madrid he plans to leave the Spanish club, a decision that has given Gianluca Vialli hope that he can bring him to England in an £8m transfer.

The Chelsea manager sees Savio, 26, as a long-term replacement for Gianfranco Zola, and the Brazilian striker warned Real that he would not be staying with them beyond his current contract, which still has three years to run. "I believe my time with Real Madrid will be over soon," Savio said. "I'm a professional and I am always open to offers."

Leeds United hope to win their latest disagreement with Soccer Australia after it demanded that Mark Viduka should return Down Under this weekend. Leeds had negotiated with Australian officials for Viduka's release for the Sydney Olympic Games, which start on 15 September, to be after Tuesday's home match against Manchester City.

However, Soccer Australia then requested he be available 48 hours before a warm-up game against Kuwait, also scheduled for Tuesday.

The Soccer Australia chairman, David Woolley, faxed Leeds to stress the game is an A-class international, and therefore demanded the release of Viduka, who will compete as one of the over-age players.

But Leeds have contacted the Football Association, which in turn has spoken to Fifa, the sport's world governing body, to determine the exact status of the match. Leeds are confident that as the game is a friendly it cannot be categorised as A-class and therefore Viduka does not have to play.

Joe Royle, the Manchester City manager, has decided against trying to sign the Paris St-Germain defender Godwin Okpara after the Nigerian played in a closed-door game at City yesterday. Okpara came billed as a right wing-back but did not match Royle's requirements and he called off a possible £2.5m transfer.

Meanwhile, Royle is to drop his captain Richard Edghill City meet Leeds on Tuesday. Edghill has had a couple of bad games and Alf Inge Haaland will take over the captain's role.

Celtic have signed Alan Thompson, the Aston Villa midfielder, for £2.57m and the striker, Didier Agathé, from Hibernian for £50,000. Rob Lee has signed a one-year contract with Newcastle United.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in