Hammers quash United interest in Diop, Rice

LONDON: West Ham asked about Anthony Martial after being contacted by Manchester United over a player-plus-cash deal for Issa Diop.

United showed an interest in Diop, 22, but the response has been taken as an indication of West Ham’s unwillingness to sell the defender.

United also enquired about Declan Rice but have been told he is not for sale.

LIVERPOOL and Chelsea have been given 5,000 tickets each for August’s UEFA Super Cup final in Istanbul. Neither club is unhappy with the total, given what is likely to be low demand from both. Tickets range from €50 (RM234) to €150 at the 38,000-capacity stadium.

BIRMINGHAM City have sacked Garry Monk after 15 months at the club. Monk, 40, had been involved in a row with the Birmingham hierarchy over signings and the sale of Jota to Aston Villa. Pep Clotet has been named caretaker manager.

CELTIC have drawn Bosnian side Sarajevo in their opening Champions League qualifying tie next month. Rangers face either FC Prishtina of Kosovo or St Joseph’s of Gibraltar in the Europa League qualifiers.

ARSENAL are close to clinching a deal to recruit former midfielder Edu, 41, as their first technical director. He is with Brazil at the Copa America in his role as general co-ordinator. But talks over Edu’s release after the tournament are advanced, with the Brazil Football Federation agreeing to waive a €6 million compensation fee.

LEE Bowyer will earn around six times his previous salary after Charlton owner Roland Duchatelet performed an incredible U-turn to keep the popular manager.

Duchatelet gave Bowyer, who led the club to promotion from League One last season, a £400,000 (RM2.1 million) oneyear extension following a furious backlash from fans.

The Belgian announced on Monday that he had failed to agree terms with Bowyer, whose deal was due to expire next week, and hinted that the 42-year-old would be leaving the Valley. He also appeared to accuse Bowyer of being greedy. But the duo resumed talks on Monday evening.

Duchatelet initially offered Bowyer around £200,000 to stay for another 12 months, which would have made him the Championship’s lowest paid manager.

Bowyer said: “The journey hasn’t finished yet and I’m delighted this has all been agreed.