* Real Zaragoza Sports director Miguel Pardeza has said he would be interested in taking Gerard Pique on loan next term:
"We want players who are progressing and we have a list of those we're interested in.
"Pique would be one of them."
* This from Sky:
Bruno Heiderscheid, the player's agent, claims the uncertainty surrounding his client will end before the World Cup finals get underway on Friday.
It is anticipated that Ribery could make a real impact in Germany if he is afforded the opportunity to impress by coach Raymond Domenech.
"Franck and myself, we give ourselves until tonight to make a decision," stated Heiderscheid.
"He will talk after the match to say what he wants to do.
"He set that date because Les Bleus leave for Germany on Thursday and so it is time to end the uncertainty.
"On a personal level, I favour Franck staying at Marseille next season. But there is still the need to have talks.
"[Lyon president] Jean-Michel Aulas is more thoughtful than [Marseille president] Pape Diouf towards Franck.
"If the contact is not taken up again, it is possible Franck will make an unquestioned decision to leave."
* The Sun report on Ribery:
Alex Ferguson will discover today whether he has any chance of landing France World Cup star Franck Ribery.
The Manchester United manager failed in a £9million bid for the Marseilles winger last week and was poised to return with an improved offer.
The Frenchman — who has also attracted the interest of Arsenal and Lyon — has not ruled out the possibility of remaining with Marseilles for another season.
But his agent Bruno Heiderscheid admitted: "We need to have talks with Marseilles. And if we cannot reopen negotiations, it is possible Franck will make a decision to leave."
* Sol Campbell piece in the Independent:
The England and Arsenal defender, who is currently training with the national team in their World Cup base in Baden-Baden, was quoted in the Turkish daily newspaper Vatan as saying: "The probability of me joining Fenerbahce is very high."
However, it seems likely that should Campbell leave the Gunners, he would prefer to move to a more prestigious league than the Turkish First Division. He will also not have had much contact with the outside world while he has been concentrating on winning a World Cup starting spot from either John Terry or Rio Ferdinand.
Campbell is reported to have added: "[It is] not because they've offered me a lot of money, but because they have challenged me. Everything will be clearer after the World Cup.
"It is obvious that they are considering me seriously," the 31-year-old said. "They made me a good and full offer. We are progressing step by step. I will give my decision after the World Cup but the probability of me joining Fenerbahce is bigger than that of refusing the offer."
* Middlesbrough announce that Gareth Southgate is to be their new manager despite opposition from the League Manager's Association.
* Djibril Cissé broke his leg last night playing for France against China in a friendly.
* The Sun report that Barcelona are willing to pay Chelsea £30m for Frank Lampard Jnr.