Valencia want Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri to take over from their beleaguered manager Hector Cuper next season, according to a report in the Mirror. Ranieri has already managed the Spanish club, laying the foundations of the team which got to last season's European Cup final, but Chelsea are unlikely to allow him to return. "I am well aware that Valencia are interested," said Chelsea managing director Colin Hutchinson, "but he is under contract to us. That is the end of it."
Brian Little is the new favourite for the manager's job at QPR, claims the Express. Dave Bassett, Lawrie Sanchez and Steve Bruce have already turned the Rs down, but the Hull boss is tipped to take over next week. The Mail, meanwhile, are placing their bets on former player Terry Fenwick.
Fiorentina are preparing a £3m bid for Chelsea midfielder Sam Dalla Bona.
Sunderland are about to sign Anderlecht striker Jan Koller, if you believe what you read in the Star. The Belgians want £16m, but Peter Reid hopes to prise the 6ft 8in Czech international away for £9m.
Liverpool and Everton are cooking up a plan to ground-share, claims Charles Sale in the Express. This wild speculation is based on the fact that Gerard Houllier and Walter Smith - and Red and Blue chief executives Rick Parry and Michael Dunford - were sitting together at Prenton Park on Tuesday as Tranmere gutted Southampton.
