PREMIERSHIP MANCHESTER UNITED United are unlikely to pursue their interest in Argentinian international striker Gabriel Batistuta. It was rumoured that the Old Trafford club were prepared to spend £11million on the 29-year-old Fiorentina star, just over a week after splashing out £10.7m on Dutch defender Jaap Stam. Batistuta's agent Littimio Aloisio is believed to have held talks with United officials regarding a move for the player who will lead Argentina's attack in this summer's World Cup, but a club spokesman said this morning: ''Batistuta is not in our plans at the moment.'' The spokesman added that the club would be reluctant to pay such a sum given the player's age, and with little chance of recouping any of the initial outlay. Lazio and Parma are heading the chase to keep Batistuta in Serie A and are apparently prepared to match his £1m-a-year after tax salary to sign him. It has been confirmed, however, that United are in negotiations with French club Lens to sign Cameroon midfield star Marc-Vivien Foe for around £3m. Foe is also wanted by Southampton. GOALKEEPER Kevin Pilkington has been released by United. The 24-year-old, who spent the last few weeks on loan at Celtic, has played four times in the Premiership serving as cover for Peter Schmeichel since making his debut in 1994. The former England Schools international should get a move in to a Division One club. He's been followed out of Old Trafford by youngsters Stuart Brightwell, David Brown, Ross Millard and Gavin Naylor, former Bradford striker Graeme Tomlinson, and trainees Adam Sadler and Leon Mills. UNITED have offered a new contract to winger Ben Thornley, shooting down reports that he too was about to be released. LEFT-BACK Denis Irwin is also out of the Republic of Ireland squad for Saturday week's friendly international with Mexico at Lansdowne Road, Dublin, suffering from a knee ligament injury. COVENTRY CITY Norwegian Trond Soltvedt has pulled out of his country's World Cup squad to be present at the birth of his second child. The 30-year-old has informed the Norwegian FA that, rather than play in the world finals in France, he wants to stay in Coventry with his family. Soltvedt, a £500,000 signing from Rosenborg last summer, played 36 games in his first season in English football and, after playing in Norway's last two internationals, was a near certainty for France. But he said: ''I have told them I will not be going even if I am picked. My wife is pregnant and I will be staying in Coventry to take care of my family. We shall spend the summer in England.'' BLACKBURN ROVERS Rovers have claimed that their multi-million pound kit deal with Uhlsport will not be affected by a takeover at the German company. Uhlsport, who recently agreed a £4million deal with Blackburn, have been bought out by textile giant Gin Tonick Group. There were widespread reports that Uhlsport were suffering severe financial problems and that Blackburn's deal was in danger of collapse. But Rovers chief executive John Williams said: ''We have met the new Uhlsport chairman, Gunter Daiss, and had a very productive meeting. ''The company needed some financial structuring and in line with sound business sense, we obviously kept a watching brief. We even sent our merchandising manager over there to assess the situation, but everything is in order and our deal is unaffected by the changes.'' DANISH striker Per Pedersen has returned to Ewood Park after spending seven months on loan at Borussia Moenchengladbach. The German giants have decided not to pursue a permanent deal for the 29-year-old, who joined Rovers for £2million from Odense in February 1997. BUT Norwegian namesake Tore Pedersen is leaving Ewood. Manager Roy Hodgson explained: Tore came into see me about his lack of first team opportunities, but unfortunately I can't guarantee him first team football. Tore has proved a very good back-up man for us, but I can understand his frustrations. He is 29 now and needs regular football at the highest level. Pedersen has found his opportunities severely limited with skipper Colin Hendry and Stephane Henchoz occupying the central defensive roles. Pedersen has started just three Premiership games and come on twice more, each time deputising for Hendry, and has played in the three Coca-Cola Cup ties. He has not played at all since 28 December, though. Tore is keen to play in the Premiership next season and maybe there are other clubs at this level who would be interested, added Hodgson. Patrick Valery is in the same boat as Tore because we cannot guarantee him first team football either, added the manager. Depending on a number of factors there could be a few faces leaving. Pedersen returned to Lancashire from Hamburg club St Pauli in a £750,000 deal three years after he quit Oldham Athletic with a broken leg. EVERTON Assistant manager Adrian Heath insists he is in the dark about a possible move away from Goodison Park. Heath is being linked with managerial roles at both Sheffield United and a return to Burnley, but insisted: ''I have heard nothing. All I am thinking about is getting things right for next season at Everton.'' EVERTON insist they would not stand in Dave Watson's way if he was offered the vacant manager's role at Norwich City. Watson has another year left on his Goodison contract, but is believed to be high on the Carrow Road shortlist. An Everton spokesman confirmed: ''In view of the excellent and loyal service he has given the club he will have our blessing about jobs in management or coaching.'' LEEDS UNITED Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy has called up Leeds midfielder Ian Harte to join the full squad to face Mexico in Dublin next Saturday after playing in Monday's Under-21 international against Scotland. Defender Alan Maybury is expected to join him. LIVERPOOL Liverpool's interest in Marcel Desailly is likely to cool after AC Milan slapped a £5million price tag on the defender's head. Anfield boss Roy Evans is seeking defensive reinforcements and Desailly was high on his wanted list. But Evans will be put off by the high transfer fee for a player who is 30 in September and who would demand a lucrative four- year contract. Chelsea are most likely to sign the former Nantes and Marseilles star instead. MIDFIELDER Jason McAteer is out of the Republic of Ireland squad for Saturday week's friendly international with Mexico at Lansdowne Road. He has a shin injury. SOUTHAMPTON Club captain Jason Dodd is facing surgery over the summer to cure a persistent groin problem. Dodd, 27, was a key member of David Jones's side this season as Saints climbed the FA Carling Premiership table to end in 12th position - their best finish for three years. The former England Under-21 full-back missed only two Premiership games, but towards the end of the season was troubled by the groin problem and is almost certain to undergo an operation to be fit for the start of pre-season. The full-back is crucial to the manager's future plans at the Dell and was rewarded for his impressive displays with a new three year contract earlier this year. Jones said: ''It's important Jason's fit for the start of the season because he's such a key member of the squad. He struggled with the problem over the last few games and he needs to get the injury sorted out.'' TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR England Under 21 Midfielder Stephen Clemence has had to return home from the Toulon Tournament after his ankle injury failed to respond to treatment. He will miss all three internationals. WEST HAM UNITED Harry Redknapp has declared his interest in signing Mark Hughes if, as expected, the Welsh striker is allowed to leave Chelsea on a free transfer. Redknapp said in The Star: "When a player of his ability becomes available then you have to be interested. I'm a big fan of Mark's. If he is available on a free transfer there will be no shortage of takers. It's not about age, it's about class and quality."

NATIONWIDE NEWS   FIRST DIVISION CHARLTON ATHLETIC As expected, Charlton's Mark Kinsella has been released from the Republic of Ireland's international against Mexico next Saturday because of the First Division promotion play-off at Wembley two days later. ''It's good for Ireland that either Niall Quinn or Mark Kinsella will be playing Premiership football next season. Unfortunately, there has to be a loser at Wembley on Monday week. I wish both players the best,'' said Republic boss Mick McCarthy. IPSWICH TOWN Manager George Burley says Ipswich are already looking forward to next season, despite defeat in the Play-Off Semi-Final to Charlton. Town missed out on the final for the second season running and speculation linking their star players with moves to Premiership clubs has already started. But Burley said: ''We have a lot of young players who will learn from this experience. If we can reproduce similar form next season we will be looking to finish in the top six again.'' GOALKEEPER Richard Wright and midfielder Kieron Dyer have flown to France to join the England Under-21 party at the Toulon tournament. The pair linked up with the squad after Ipswich's play-off defeat by Charlton. MANCHESTER CITY Manchester City will get first refusal if Georgi Kinkladze wants to return to British soccer. The fallen giants from Maine Road have officially confirmed Kinkladze's £5million-plus sale to Ajax after the transfer papers were returned to Holland five days after the Georgian star agreed personal terms and signed a four-year contract. The fee, ten per cent of which is due to Kinkladze's former club Dynamo Tbilisi, easily beats City's previous record sale - the £3.2million Blackburn paid for Garry Flitcroft in March 1996. But in a statement from new chairman David Bernstein, it has been revealed that City will get first refusal on the midfield genius if he ever comes back to the UK. Bernstein added: "The transfer of Georgi Kinkladze to Ajax has been completed in a deal worth in excess of £5million. The timing of this transfer has come at an opportune time for all parties involved." However, it is clear that boss Joe Royle will get only a percentage of the fee to help his rebuilding plans. City, relegated to third grade soccer for the first time in their history, are reported to be £13milllion in debt, and some of the fee for their prized asset will go on cutting that overdraft. MIDDLESBROUGH Chairman Steve Gibson has promised quality signings to make his promoted club a Premiership force next season. Gibson said: ''We don't just want to be in the Premiership. We want to be successful in the Premiership. ''We have our targets for the new season. We will prove that we can achieve these targets by bringing in quality signings. We have the momentum to go forward and have made huge investments at the club.'' Top priority in manager Bryan Robson's plans will be a centre-half to replace skipper Nigel Pearson, who hung up his boots after the final day promotion clincher against Oxford United. NOTTINGHAM FOREST Forest have recruited the man who helped turn Manchester United into one of the most profitable clubs in the world. Edward Freedman, who spent five years spearheading United's merchandising empire, and commercial consultants Zone, will advise the Premiership new boys on how to maximise their earning power. During his time at United, Freedman helped increase turnover from £2.7million to £28.7million Forest commercial director David Clayton said: ''Edward has a proven track record in this vital area and we are sure he will be very helpful as we try to maximise the commercial benefit from being in the most exciting league in the world.'' STOKE CITY New boss Brian Little has begun a Britannia Road clear-out by telling former coaches Chic Bates and Alan Durban they are no longer wanted. The duo, who both had spells in charge this season, are now surplus to requirements and have left "by mutual consent." Little said: "Difficult decisions are going to have to made here for the sake of the club and unfortunately that includes releasing some of the staff. Alan and Chic are both going and I expect new faces to be joining in the near future." Allan Evans, who was Little's number two at both Aston Villa and Leicester, is now expected to link up with his old friend in the Potteries as he attempts to get the club back into the First Division at the first attempt. SECOND DIVISION PLYMOUTH ARGYLE Boss Mick Jones will try to persuade out-of-contract 17-goal top scorer Carlo Corazzin to re-sign. Jones insisted: ''He's very open minded about his future.'' Bournemouth, Gillingham and Northampton are among a pack of clubs interested in signing the Canadian striker. WALSALL New manager Ray Graydon has made it clear that he is determined to be a winner at the Bescot Stadium. Graydon, who will be 51 in July, has waited a long time for the chance to prove himself as a manager after building up a good reputation as a coach. The former Aston Villa winger said: ''I am ambitious for this club. If you play me at anything then I want to win.'' THIRD DIVISION BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION Midfielder Robbie Reinelt, who scored the equaliser at Hereford to keep Brighton in the league last May, is one of nine players being released by the Seagulls. Also on their way out are long-serving goalkeeper Nicky Rust, Andy Ansah, Paul Linger, Eric Saul, Ross McNally, Graeme Atkinson, Damian Hilton and Geoff Woosey, while loan signing Scott Thomas has returned to Manchester City. The exodus leaves manager Brian Horton, who took over 11 weeks ago, with 13 players under contract, with Jeff Minton and Richard Barker to be offered new deals. Barker, the former England Schools Under-18 and Sheffield Wednesday striker, joined the club on loan from Irish side Linfield last December. MACCLESFIELD TOWN Manager Sammy McIlroy is keeping newly-promoted Macclesfield guessing on whether he will stay at Moss Rose. McIlroy, who narrowly missed out on the Stoke job, is upset at the lack of funds available to strengthen Macc's squad for the Second Division next season. The Irishman said: ''I'm discussing a new contract offer over the weekend - but nothing is decided in my mind.'' MANSFIELD TOWN Chairman Keith Haslam could resign in the next few days, sources close to the crisis-torn club say. Last week eight Football League chairmen signed a proposal calling on Haslam to resign from the Football League board. In April, Mansfield's wage bill was paid by the PFA for the third time this season after the club failed to pay the players.

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