Football: Spurs set to pay pounds 1m for teenage striker

By Alan Nixon

TOTTENHAM are set to sign the 19-year-old striker Jonathan Greening from York City in a deal worth pounds 1m this week. The youngster has already been on trial at Manchester United and Alex Ferguson has also made an offer.

However, Spurs are hopeful of clinching his signature before Thursday's deadline with a large down-payment and extra money based on appearances.

Manchester City are heading a four-club race to sign Leicester City's unsettled striker Steve Claridge this week. Joe Royle, the City manager, is willing to pay the pounds 400,000 asking price, but has major competition. Portsmouth want him after a loan spell while Norwich and Charlton have also made moves.

France have called up the 19-year-old Arsenal striker Nicolas Anelka as a replacement for Monaco's injured forward David Trezeguet. Anelka, who is uncapped, has been called into the French squad for the first time for a World Cup warm-up match against Russia in Moscow on Wednesday night.

Arsenal won the women's League Cup final for a fourth time in seven years when they beat first-time finalists Croydon 4-3 on penalties at Barnet after the match had finished goalless at the end of extra time.

The Gunners created the better chances and former England striker Marienne Spacey squandered four clear-cut chances. But Croydon came to life during extra-time and should have won. Arsenal clinched victory when Croydon's last penalty taker, England's Kerry Davis, had her shot saved.

Ossie Ardiles, the former Spurs player and manager, who coaches Shimizu S-Pulse in Japan's J-League, says he plans to return to Europe next year, hopefully England.