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Football: Rumours - Fact and fiction from the Sunday papers

That was the weekend that was

Jon Culley
Monday 26 January 1998 00:02 GMT
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Chelsea fans should remain concerned over Ruud Gullit's dilatory approach to signing a new contract at Stamford Bridge. The Sunday Mirror reckons the Dutchman is being lined up to take charge of team matters at Milan, suggesting that club president Silvio Berlusconi has already thrashed out a deal with Gullit.

It is an old story but has resurfaced as a result of new rumours that the current Milan coach, Fabio Capello, is set to take over from Cesare Maldini as Italy's national coach after the World Cup finals. However, the Mirror also says that Gullit is planning to bring Dutch team-mates Frank Rijkaard and Ronald Koeman to Chelsea as coaches.

Roberto Baggio, who took offence when Bologna dropped him from their side to face his old club, Juventus, is being lined up for a pounds 2.5m move to Newcastle, according to the People, who say Tottenham are also showing interest in the 30-year-old striker.

The News of the World says Fiorentina have made a pounds 2.5m bid for Liverpool's Rob Jones, and also claim Internazionale could rival Barcelona in the chase for Steve McManaman, for whom they would pay pounds 12m. Italy could also be the destination for Manchester City's Georgi Kinkladze, according to the Mirror.

Crystal Palace are ready to relief Aston Villa of disaffected Yugoslav Sasa Curcic, the People reports, suggesting that Brian Little is so desperate to offload the former Bolton midfielder that he will accept pounds 1m. The Mirror says Palace are confident of snatching Carlisle striker Matt Jansen from under the noses of Manchester United, despite the highly rated youngster scoring a hat-trick in a trial match for United last week.

The People says Arsenal are planning a fresh move for Zagreb's Croatian international Robert Prosinecki and see Villa's Steve Staunton as a replacement for Nigel Winterburn, while the Mirror links the Highbury club with Dean Richards, the pounds 2m-rated Wolves centre-back.

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