August 18th 2008
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United to rival Lyon for Lens starlet
Manchester United are reportedly ready to rival Lyon for French starlet Thimothee Kolodzieczak, who is currently at Lens.
The 16-year-old looks set to depart the Northern French side with a big battle now on to land him.
The left-back has been offered a five-year contract to remain at the Felix Bollaert, but it seems he could be prised away before making his first-team debut.
Lens are asking €3million for the player, who is already part of the French Under-18 squad.
However, Lyon are only offering €1million and the two clubs are continuing to talk, although the French champions say they will not pay over the odds.
"Regarding a possible newcomer on the left to support Fabio Grosso, we are looking at the youngster at Lens, but Lens are being too greedy," Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas told the club's official website.
"If their position is not changed within 48 hours, then Claude Puel [coach] will guide us towards another player of a very high level."
Reports in France suggest that United are also interested in Kolodzieczak and could put together a package to take him across the Channel.
REDKNAPP REJECTS HAMMERS LINK http://www.football365.com/story/0,1...005808,00.html
Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has dismissed reports linking him with a move back to former club West Ham as "an absolute load of rubbish".
With rumours Alan Curbishley's long-term position at Upton Park being under threat, the 61-year-old has emerged as a potential replacement should a vacancy occur.
However, Redknapp - who both played for and then managed the Hammers, from 1994 to 2001 - maintains he is fully focused on building for the future at Fratton Park with last season's FA Cup winners.
Redknapp told BBC Radio Solent: "It's an absolute load of rubbish.
"A few people have rung me up in the last couple of days, but I have never spoken to anybody about it.
"We are building a team here and want to have another good season."
Appiah quits Fener after fall-out
Ghana captain Stephen Appiah claims to be a free agent after quitting Fenerbahce over a fall-out with the Turkish side's management.
The 27-year-old midfielder has spent close to nine months on the sidelines due to a long-standing knee injury which forced him to miss the African Nations Cup in his home country earlier this year.
He has been linked with a move away from Turkey all summer and this latest twist could create plenty of interest in Appiah before the transfer window closes at the end of August.
"I am a free agent," he told Accra radio station Happy FM at the weekend. "A few issues happened between me and the club so I no longer play for them."
However, the ex-Juventus and Parma ace rubbished reports of a return to another former club Brescia in Italy's Serie B, revealing instead that he was examining his options before deciding on his next move.
"Those stories about me and Brescia are not true," he said. "My personal trainer works with Brescia and I did a lot of work with him there during the off-season so maybe that is where the rumours are from.
"But there a few offers I am studying even though I am not in a hurry. I want to make the right choice. At the end of it all the most important thing is that wherever I end up, I will give it my absolute all."
Appiah, who helped the Black Stars reach the second round of the 2006 World Cup in Germany, stated that he has always placed his health before football in his bid to return from injury.
He added: "I am happy just to be alive after the injury. I was complaining of asthma after surgery last year, but it was not that. I missed an injection and blood went into my lungs. Football was not the most important thing. I nearly lost my life.
"Sometimes when things happen, you can be knocked off if you are not strong mentally. But I am strong mentally and I never give up which is why I am still going strong.
"I don't want to rush the comeback. I want everything to be gradual. I have been out for one year and I understand it will take time to get my rhythm back. Everything is going well and very soon you will see me again on the football field."
Appiah also hailed his national team-mates for their support during his injury break, stating: "I speak to many of the players every day. (Michael) Essien, (Laryea) Kingston, all of them have done a great deal for me. They have encouraged me a lot with their phone calls and text messages. I feel I must keep going to justify the confidence they have in me because they have been there for me."
KEEGAN WAITING ON `WOW` FACTOR http://www.football365.com/story/0,1...004485,00.html
Kevin Keegan must now wait to see if Newcastle's mooted 'wow' signing comes off.
The Toon opened their Premier League season impressively by holding champions Manchester United to a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford on Sunday.
There could be more additions to Keegan's squad before the transfer window closes, with owner Mike Ashley apparently having promised a 'wow' signing.
Argentina star Javier Saviola has been mentioned but Keegan's demands are rather more straightforward.
"Too often in the recent past we have bought players who have not been quite good enough," he said.
"They have either not settled or not understood what it means to play for Newcastle.
"You can't just say good players can play at Newcastle because history will prove they cannot."
For a team that conceded 11 goals in two meetings with Manchester United last season and have not won at Old Trafford since 1972, Sunday provided a positive start to the new campaign.
"I don't think it has been a bad summer but then I have not been reading what has been written," said Keegan.
"But in football at the moment, you don't want these things on your doorstep, at your club.
"It is nice to get a good result so it goes on to another club but I don't envy whoever it is."
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