Chauffeur offer: Birmingham have rebuffed a transfer request from unhappy Wales midfielder Robbie Savage and will instead lay on a chauffeur to drive him to and from his home town of Wrexham. Savage submitted a written transfer request to manager Steve Bruce on Monday, saying he wanted to move nearer to his home town due to family problems. "The club fully sympathises with Robbie's documented personal problems," Birmingham said. "The club has therefore offered to provide a car and driver to chauffeur Robbie to and from his home town of Wrexham at the club's expense."
Beattie: Striker James Beattie has completed a six million pound move from Southampton to Premier League rivals Everton, the Merseyside club said yesterday. Beattie finalised a club record move by signing a four-and-half-year contract with Everton and coming through a medical at their Bellefield ground.
Redknapp: Former England midfielder Jamie Redknapp has completed his move from Tottenham Hotspur to Southampton and hopes to make his debut for his new club against Fulham today. Redknapp, 31, who was with Spurs for three years including the last 18 months as captain, passed a medical on Monday and joins his father Harry, who was appointed Southampton manager last month.
Pellegrino: Valencia's centre back Mauricio Pellegrino has been approached by former coach Rafa Benitez to join him at Liverpool during the January transfer window. The 33-year-old has not featured in the plans of coach Claudio Ranieri. "My original intention was to complete my contract at Valencia but I have no prospects of playing here," Pellegrino said yesterday. "My aim is to play for at least another couple of years and the Liverpool option is a very good one."
Robinho: Santos have denied reports that forward Robinho is to join Real Madrid. "This does not exist," president Marcelo Teixeira said after reports the 20-year-old could follow coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo to the Spanish capital. Although Robinho has a contract with the club until January 2008, speculation has been mounting over his future after his mother was kidnapped in November and held captive for 40 days.
Dakar Rally: Former world champion Colin McRae regained the overall lead in the Dakar Rally on day five yesterday after capturing the 381-km special stage between Agadir and Smara in Morocco. The Scot won in three hours 37 minutes 14 seconds to beat Nissan team-mate Giniel De Villiers of South Africa by six minutes 15 seconds. Belgian Stephane Peterhansel, rally winner in 2004, suffered a series of punctures and finished over 24 minutes down. McRae leads the event by five minutes 28 seconds from De Villiers.