PREMIERSHIP clubs are helping to keep Serie A outfits afloat with multi-million pound transfer deals, according to a report released yesterday. Accountants Deloitte Touche, argues that the transfers of stars like Fabrizio Ravanelli, Gianfranco Zola and Roberto Di Matteo have helped keep the loss-making Italian giants out of financial trouble. Serie A clubs made a profit of £69 million last season on transfers - compared to a net outflow of £87.9 million from Premiership sides on new players. The Italians cashed in despite wages rising by an average 25 per cent while failing to generate the large gains from commercial activities, merchandising and sponsorship that English sides did, partly because they do not own their own stadiums. Gerry Boon, author of the Deloitte Touche report, said: ''The proposition that English clubs are now financing Italian football is not that far off the mark. Italian clubs have made massive gains on the transfer market - the high-profile transfers of players like Ravanelli, Di Matteo and Zola to English teams has contributed to that profit.'' But supposed giants AC Milan (£9.6m), Parma (£9m) and Inter Milan (£7.6m) all recorded huge losses last season. While Italian Serie A teams were losing £30m, Premiership clubs lost less - around £20m. And there is no club in Italy that comes remotely close to the financial success of Manchester United, who posted pre-tax profits of £27.6m last season. BERTI BOOSTER FOR SPURS NICOLA BERTI will sign a new two-year contract with Spurs this week. The former international, currently in Italy for goalkeeper Walter Zenga's testimonial, is anxious to commit himself to White Hart Lane now that they have secured their Premiership future. "I have already had some talks with the club and will have more when I return from Milan," he told the London Evening Standard. "We are not far apart. The club wants me to stay. I think we can do something." Berti, who played 19 games for Tottenham and scored three goals, had been expected to leave White Hart Lane along with Jurgen Klinsmann, the player who helped bring him to the club on a free transfer in January. However, he and his Italian girlfiend have settled well in the capital and they are both keen to continue their life in London. REDKNAPP STAYS AT ANFIELD ROY EVANS yesterday vowed to keep Liverpool's best young players at Anfield after Jamie Redknapp signed a new five-year contract. The Premiership's third-placed club got Redknapp's name on a new deal less than 24 hours after the season ended with a 1-0 defeat at Derby. But Evans pointedly aimed his comments at Steve McManaman and Robbie Fowler, who are both involved in discussions about new contracts, saying: "it is important for the future success of the side that we keep our best young players." Evans will be involved in further talks with McManaman this, and will demand an answer about the England winger's future before pre-season training starts on July 9. REDFEARN STAYS INSISTS WILSON BARNSLEY boss Danny Wilson yesterday laid to rest speculation surrounding skipper Neil Redfearn by revealing: "He's not going anywhere." Insisted Wilson: "The only possible way that Neil Redfearn will go is if I let him go. I want to keep a nucleus of players at this club and Neil is part of that. He has got two years left on his contract and when he signed it he was happy to do so. As far as I am concerned he will be staying at this football club."

NATIONWIDE ROUND-UP: BRUCE STAYS AT BLUES   STEVE BRUCE is staying as a player at Birmingham next season despite being linked with the vacant manager's job at Norwich. The St Andrews club captain has just signed a new 12-month deal and managing director Karren Brady said: "I think that Steve has made it clear that he wants to stay with us because he signed a new contract." Bruce, 37, who was at Norwich from 1983-88 before joining Manchester United, had emerged as the fans' favourite to take over at Carrow Road in succession to Mike Walker. "To our knowledge he has had offers of jobs at other clubs before, but pledged to stay here which shows his commitment. We have made a deliberate attempt to keep him as part of the squad," said Brady. "Even with a few additions this summer, we envisage Steve playing a major part next season when we will, hopefully, improve on what we achieved this year." MACCLESFIELD TOWN have increased their offer of a new contract to manager Sammy McIlroy, who guided them to promotion in their first season in the Nationwide League. McIlroy had talks with chairman Alan Cash during the weekend civic reception for the team in the Cheshire town and has promised an answer by the end of this week. Many fans were dismayed that Macclesfield's first offer to the former Manchester United star was only an extra two years to add to the current agreement that has 12 months to run. But McIlroy said: "That offer has been increased by an extra year to make it four years in total. It's not about money, it's about whether I feel everything is in place for us to go forward and have a real crack at the Second Division. I've told the chairman I'll give him my answer by the end of the week." Stoke and Oldham are believed to be watching the outcome. SHEFFIELD United striker Gareth Taylor is out of tomorrow's First Division play-off semi-final second leg at Sunderland. The Welsh international limped out of Sunday's first leg at Bramall Lane, which the Blades won 2-1, after just six minutes with strained medial ligament symptoms. But after initial fears of a nine-week absence, Taylor could be back for the Wembley final on May 25 if United make it. Midfielder Shaun Derry underwent a minor knee operation on Saturday and will not play until next season.

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