Football: Helmer's fee halts Houllier

LIVERPOOL'S ATTEMPTS to sign the German centre-back Thomas Helmer have stalled after Bayern Munich demanded a transfer fee for the 33-year- old defender. The Anfield manager, Gerard Houllier, had hoped to acquire Helmer on a free transfer after talking to his agents in Manchester last week. However, Bayern now say that they want compensation, possibly as much as pounds 1m and Liverpool will not pay for a player of his age.

Helmer has confirmed that he is in negotiations with the Merseysiders and awaits a conclusion to the talks, but the answer will be no unless the fee drops. Liverpool, meanwhile, are bringing in the Cameroon defender, Rigobert Song, on trial this week. They have been granted a visa for him. Song, out of favour at Salernitana, cannot play in public games because he needs a work permit but could join in training and practice matches behind closed doors.

Harry Redknapp has strongly rejected suggestions that Rio Ferdinand is on his way out of West Ham in a multi-million pound deal. The England international had been linked with a move to Manchester United or Liverpool, but the Hammers manager insists he is trying to build a team - not dismantle it. "Why should we sell our best players?" Redknapp said. "We are a Premier League club and we get tremendous support. Are we just a selling club? I don't think so. The chairman and the board don't want to sell, I'm sure of that. And I certainly don't want to sell my best players."

The Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Stefan Klos has indicated he will not be moving to Rangers. The Bundesliga club say Klos would be allowed to leave during the winter break if they could find a replacement, but efforts to bring in Milan's Jens Lehmann appear to have foundered over the transfer fee.

Klos was expected at Ibrox early this week after saying the Scottish Premier League leaders were his first choice. However, he now appears to have had a change of heart and looks likely to see out the remaining months of his contract, which expires on 30 June, in Germany. He said: "It makes no sense for me to come to Scotland and talk to Rangers at the moment. The club have not found a replacement for me and it looks as though I might have to see out my contract at Dortmund."

The Premier League has defended its decision to offer Arsenal help in finding a new shirt sponsor. The Double winners are seeking a backer to replace JVC at the end of the season, and the Premier League's commercial director, Stephen Pearson, is bidding to negotiate any deal in return for a fee. The League insists any payment would be far less than a fee charged by an agent.

Mike Lee, a League spokesman, said: "If the Premier League's commercial department were to help Arsenal, and obviously that's a matter for Arsenal to judge, then in recognition of his time and effort there would be some sort of payment made into the Premier League central fund."

An Arsenal spokeswoman said: "I can confirm that the club has been approached by the Premier League together with many other agents to assist the club in finding a new sponsor. At present, no decision has been made on who the club will use."