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Roy Disney in Derby Bid Talks; Tottenham Wants Carrick: Roundup
By James Cone
Nov. 15 (Bloomberg) -- The following is a roundup of soccer stories from U.K. newspapers.
DISNEY IN DERBY BID?
Shamrock Holdings Inc., an investment company owned by Roy Disney, is in talks to take a controlling share in Derby County with a view to a full takeover, according to the Daily Mail.
The billionaire is the nephew of Walt, the founder of Walt Disney Co., the second-largest U.S. media company, and one of its biggest individual shareholders.
If the deal is completed it would make Derby the fourth Premier League club under U.S. ownership, joining Liverpool, Manchester United and Aston Villa.
Derby said Chairman Adam Pearson continues to seek investment overseas, including in the U.S. and Asia, without being more specific. No deal is imminent, it said.
``I won't be saying anything until a deal is done,'' Pearson told the club's Web site.
Derby also described the Mail's headline -- ``Mickey Mouse Club'' -- as ``cheap and potentially damaging.''
Derby is last in the 20-team league after winning only one of its opening 13 matches since returning to the elite division this season.
CARRICK RETURN?
Tottenham manager Juande Ramos wants England midfielder Michael Carrick to rejoin the club from Manchester United during the January transfer window, the Daily Express said.
Ramos, who will be given a 40 million-pound ($81.8 million) transfer budget in January, is prepared to pay around 18 million pounds for the 26-year-old Carrick, the newspaper said.
Carrick, who faces increased competition at United this season following the arrival of Anderson and Owen Hargreaves, left Spurs 16 months ago.
Espanyol defender Dani Jarque and 19-year-old Sevilla midfielder Diego Capel are also targets for Ramos, though Real Madrid's Julio Baptista is not interested in a move, the Express added.
BECKHAM, LAMPARD TO START FOR ENGLAND
David Beckham will make his 98th international appearance for England in tomorrow's exhibition match against Austria, while Frank Lampard will return in place of Gareth Barry, the Daily Mirror reported.
Joleon Lescott may play at center-back in the absence of John Terry and Rio Ferdinand, and goalkeeper Scott Carson is set to make his debut, the newspaper said.
EURO 2008 FAILURE TO AFFECT ECONOMY
The U.K. economy will lose 1 billion pounds in revenue if England fails to qualify for next year's European Championship, according to the Express. Consumer spending increased by around 720 million pounds in the U.K. during the 2006 World Cup, the newspaper said, citing the British Retail Consortium.
England may not reach the tournament even if it beats Croatia on Nov. 21 in its final qualifying game. Croatia needs only a draw in one of its final two matches, and Russia can clinch a spot by beating Israel and Andorra.
WIGAN WANTS BRUCE
Wigan offered Birmingham 3 million pounds' compensation in a bid to acquire manager Steve Bruce from its Premier League rival, the Mail said. Birmingham, which is considering the deal, may allow Bruce to leave with his future uncertain at the club because of Carson Yeung's prospective takeover, the newspaper said.
Bruce would receive a 1 million-pound bonus if he keeps Wigan in the top league this season, the Mail added. He had a two-month spell at the club in 2001
JEWELL IN IRELAND CONTENTION
Paul Jewell, who rejected a return as Wigan manager this week, is among the candidates to replace Steve Staunton as Ireland coach, according to the Mail. Terry Venables, George Graham, Graeme Souness and Gerard Houllier are also contenders, the newspaper said.
ARSENAL GIVE TRIAL TO STRIKER
Arsenal is giving a 10-day trial to Congo striker Tresor Mputu, with a view to signing the 21-year-old from TP Mazembe for 500,000 pounds, the Sun said.
WEDNESDAY REJECT LAWS APPROACH
Sheffield Wednesday rejected an approach from Championship rival Burnley for manager Brian Laws, according to the Mail. Steve Cotterill, who left Burnley last week, is a target for Preston, the newspaper added.
To contact the reporter on this story: James Cone in London at jcone@bloomberg.net .
By James Cone
Nov. 15 (Bloomberg) -- The following is a roundup of soccer stories from U.K. newspapers.
DISNEY IN DERBY BID?
Shamrock Holdings Inc., an investment company owned by Roy Disney, is in talks to take a controlling share in Derby County with a view to a full takeover, according to the Daily Mail.
The billionaire is the nephew of Walt, the founder of Walt Disney Co., the second-largest U.S. media company, and one of its biggest individual shareholders.
If the deal is completed it would make Derby the fourth Premier League club under U.S. ownership, joining Liverpool, Manchester United and Aston Villa.
Derby said Chairman Adam Pearson continues to seek investment overseas, including in the U.S. and Asia, without being more specific. No deal is imminent, it said.
``I won't be saying anything until a deal is done,'' Pearson told the club's Web site.
Derby also described the Mail's headline -- ``Mickey Mouse Club'' -- as ``cheap and potentially damaging.''
Derby is last in the 20-team league after winning only one of its opening 13 matches since returning to the elite division this season.
CARRICK RETURN?
Tottenham manager Juande Ramos wants England midfielder Michael Carrick to rejoin the club from Manchester United during the January transfer window, the Daily Express said.
Ramos, who will be given a 40 million-pound ($81.8 million) transfer budget in January, is prepared to pay around 18 million pounds for the 26-year-old Carrick, the newspaper said.
Carrick, who faces increased competition at United this season following the arrival of Anderson and Owen Hargreaves, left Spurs 16 months ago.
Espanyol defender Dani Jarque and 19-year-old Sevilla midfielder Diego Capel are also targets for Ramos, though Real Madrid's Julio Baptista is not interested in a move, the Express added.
BECKHAM, LAMPARD TO START FOR ENGLAND
David Beckham will make his 98th international appearance for England in tomorrow's exhibition match against Austria, while Frank Lampard will return in place of Gareth Barry, the Daily Mirror reported.
Joleon Lescott may play at center-back in the absence of John Terry and Rio Ferdinand, and goalkeeper Scott Carson is set to make his debut, the newspaper said.
EURO 2008 FAILURE TO AFFECT ECONOMY
The U.K. economy will lose 1 billion pounds in revenue if England fails to qualify for next year's European Championship, according to the Express. Consumer spending increased by around 720 million pounds in the U.K. during the 2006 World Cup, the newspaper said, citing the British Retail Consortium.
England may not reach the tournament even if it beats Croatia on Nov. 21 in its final qualifying game. Croatia needs only a draw in one of its final two matches, and Russia can clinch a spot by beating Israel and Andorra.
WIGAN WANTS BRUCE
Wigan offered Birmingham 3 million pounds' compensation in a bid to acquire manager Steve Bruce from its Premier League rival, the Mail said. Birmingham, which is considering the deal, may allow Bruce to leave with his future uncertain at the club because of Carson Yeung's prospective takeover, the newspaper said.
Bruce would receive a 1 million-pound bonus if he keeps Wigan in the top league this season, the Mail added. He had a two-month spell at the club in 2001
JEWELL IN IRELAND CONTENTION
Paul Jewell, who rejected a return as Wigan manager this week, is among the candidates to replace Steve Staunton as Ireland coach, according to the Mail. Terry Venables, George Graham, Graeme Souness and Gerard Houllier are also contenders, the newspaper said.
ARSENAL GIVE TRIAL TO STRIKER
Arsenal is giving a 10-day trial to Congo striker Tresor Mputu, with a view to signing the 21-year-old from TP Mazembe for 500,000 pounds, the Sun said.
WEDNESDAY REJECT LAWS APPROACH
Sheffield Wednesday rejected an approach from Championship rival Burnley for manager Brian Laws, according to the Mail. Steve Cotterill, who left Burnley last week, is a target for Preston, the newspaper added.
To contact the reporter on this story: James Cone in London at jcone@bloomberg.net .