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Rafael Benítez, the Liverpool manager, is ready to concede defeat in his pursuit of Gareth Barry and turn his attentions elsewhere, with Albert Riera, the Espanyol winger, understood to be in his thoughts.

With the Liverpool board refusing to sanction £18 million for Barry, Benítez is mindful time is running out to secure another high-profile signing and has identified Riera and Stewart Downing, the Middlesbrough winger, as possible alternatives.

Espanyol were demanding £19 million for Riera but Benítez would be confident of getting the Spain winger, 26, who was on loan at Manchester City in 2006, for considerably less, even though he is also an admirer of Downing.

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Campbell happy to resume Hull service

Fraizer Campbell is prepared to return to Hull City on loan if Manchester United sign another forward. The 20-year-old United striker scored 15 goals for Hull last season. “We’ll have to wait and see what happens,” Campbell said.

Injury costs Ameobi Ipswich Town move

Shola Ameobi has returned to Newcastle United after failing a medical at Ipswich Town. The former England Under-21 forward has not recovered from a pre-season hamstring injury. He is in the final year of his contract at St James’ Park.

1

Number of players Manchester United have signed this summer — Davide Petrucci from AS Roma for £200,000

Redknapp seeks Wright-Phillips loan

Portsmouth want Shaun Wright-Phillips, the England winger, from Chelsea, but only on loan. “If I had the money, I would buy him,” Harry Redknapp, the Portsmouth manager, said. “I haven’t got that sort of money.”

City face claim over Elano fee

Manchester City have been reported to Fifa by Shakhtar Donetsk, the Ukrainian club, over an alleged outstanding payment from the deal to sign Elano last summer. Shakhtar claim that City have withheld a £475,000 “solidarity payment” that was due as part of the £8.5 million deal that took Elano to Manchester 12 months ago. “We can confirm that Shakhtar lodged a claim with us on this matter,” Fifa said. “As the relevant procedure will be started in due course, we cannot provide any further comment.”

It has also emerged that City did not meet a recent deadline to pay Shakhtar the second instalment on the Elano fee, but they are believed to have told the Ukrainian club that they will do so soon.

Riise calls for peace at Liverpool

John Arne Riise, the former Liverpool defender, has called on Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr, the club owners, and Rafael Benítez, the manager, to settle their differences. “I hope they can solve it in a good manner and then focus on playing the best football they can,” Riise, now with AS Roma, said yesterday.

And finally . . .

Cristiano Ronaldo has beaten off stiff competition from Elton John, David Beckham and the Village People to be crowned the gay icon of the year. The Manchester United forward, who scored 42 goals last season, romped home ahead of Kylie Minogue and Judy Garland. “He looks like any gay man or woman’s dream,” the gaygolddiggers.uk.com website said.