Portsmouth fail with £9m bid for Crouch

Liverpool have turned down a bid worth a potential £9 million from Portsmouth for Peter Crouch, the England forward. Harry Redknapp, the Portsmouth manager, is a known admirer of Crouch, despite having sold him twice – first at Portsmouth and then at Southampton - and considers him as a natural partner for Jermain Defoe.

Portsmouth were understood to be confident that Liverpool would at least regard their bid as an opening offer worth pursuing for a player who is out of contract in 12 months and unlikely to sign a new deal at Anfield, but must have been dismayed to learn that Liverpool are holding out for a sum closer to their valuation of £15 million.

Rethink over Ronaldo

Manchester United will have to reconsider their threat to let Cristiano Ronaldo “rot in the stands” at Old Trafford rather than sanction a transfer to Real Madrid. It emerged last night that, under Fifa regulations, the Portugal forward would be able to “terminate his contract prematurely on the grounds of sporting just cause” unless he played in at least 10 per cent of the club’s fixtures next season.

Ramón Calderón, the Real president, denied speculation yesterday that the club were prepared to pay a world-record transfer fee for Ronaldo. “We will never pay £80 million for one player,” Calderón said.

Villa chase Sidwell

Martin O’Neill, the Aston Villa manager, is to step up his bid to sign Steve Sidwell, the Chelsea midfield player. O’Neill is hoping to agree a fee in the region of £5 million for the former Reading player, who is also attracting interest from Middlesbrough and Everton. Villa are confident that they can sign the 25-year-old if a fee and personal terms can be agreed. His capture would ease some of the discontent for O’Neill if Gareth Barry joins Liverpool.

Uefa eyes pot of gold

Uefa will try to persuade English clubs to accept a smaller share of Champions League revenue after the four teams who competed in the competition last season earned a combined £102 million from television and sponsorship. Manchester United, who won the trophy, made £33.9 million, Chelsea took £28.7 million, Liverpool £21.1 million and Arsenal £18.3 million. The present distribution system is in place until 2012, but Uefa wants to win backing for changes.

Aragonés still leaving

Luis Aragonés said yesterday that he would not go back on his decision to step down as Spain coach after Euro 2008, despite having guided them to their first semi-final in 24 years. The 69-year-old led Spain to a 4-2 penalty shoot-out win over Italy on Sunday. “I thank all of those people who have addressed words of encouragement,” he said. “But the federation know that this adventure is ending for me, whatever happens to Spain here.”