ROUND UP

Last updated : 08 July 2003 By editor

Everton yesterday discussed the safety of teenage England striker Wayne Rooney with two police forces, following weekend claims that he has been threatened by known criminal 'families' in Liverpool and London.

Ian Ross, Everton's head of corporate affairs and public relations, said: "In the wake of weekend newspaper reports which appeared to suggest that one of our players, Wayne Rooney, had been threatened with physical violence and was, subsequently, at risk, Everton Football Club has this morning discussed the matter with both Merseyside Police and Cheshire Police.”

"Neither force has received any form of complaint with regard to the allegations. The safety of this club's players, staff and supporters is of paramount importance and is an issue which will never be the subject of compromise.”

"Everton Football Club is happy to reiterate that it does not believe Wayne Rooney; or, indeed, any of its players; to be at risk."

Dennis Bergkamp is contemplating retirement from football if he cannot reach agreement with Arsenal over a new deal, having been out of contract since last Tuesday.

"We have said that we are not very happy with the way that discussions are going but Dennis wants to stay at Arsenal," said Bergkamp's agent Rob Jansen. "He is not desperate to stay. He always said that he wanted to finish his career with a bang - and at Arsenal. If that cannot happen he will quit football."

Kewell rejects Old Trafford in favour of £7m move to Liverpool

Although there was plenty of transfer activity yesterday, only Liverpool and
Harry Kewell could honestly say they had anything to shake hands on.

Today the Australian will finally announce his £7m move to Liverpool from Leeds United after turning down last-ditch bids from Manchester United and Chelsea. The 24-year-old, who was also linked with Arsenal, is to make a statement on Australian television, and yesterday the Channel 9 News station ran a promo featuring Kewell saying: "I have been speaking with them [the club concerned] for over six months and everything just seems to be right for me to go there."

Kewell, who has turned his back on the offer of becoming the highest-paid player at Leeds on £48,000 per week, is understood to have agreed a £60,000-per-week, five-year package with Liverpool. The striker had secretly voiced his concerns about moving across the Pennines to Leeds' bitterest rivals at old Trafford, while he was also apparently unhappy at the way Beckham was treated by the club in relation to his move to Real Madrid.