Juninho considers Boro future

Brazilian star Juninho is debating whether to try and secure a long-term contract at Middlesbrough or whether to return to relegated Atletico Madrid.

Manager Bryan Robson has first option on the £6million-rated player, who has been on loan at the Riverside.

"I have a contract with Middlesbrough until the end of June so I will have to decide before then," he told the Sunday Sun.

"I know Bryan Robson plans to talk to Atletico soon. The decision has to be the best for the club and best for me. I want to play in a good side and win something."

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Brown refuses Hong Kong job

Scotland coach Craig Brown has turned down the chance to take Hong Kong to the next World Cup.

Brown is under contract until the end of the 2002 World Cup qualifying campaign and insists he will honour that agreement unless SFA chief executive David Taylor decides to let him go before then.

"I was offered the Hong Kong job," Brown said. "They phoned me and said that they were looking for a national coach to get them to the World Cup.

"I spoke to them but I will honour my contract here, but if I get a couple of bad results I might be told otherwise."

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Dortmund coach steps down

Udo Lattek has stepped down as Borussia Dortmund coach after just five weeks in the job.

"Udo Lattek has informed us that he was not available for next season," Dortmund president Gerd Niebaum said on Sunday.

Lattek, 65, replaced Bernd Krauss with five matches left in the season as the 1997 European champions were fighting against relegation. They eventually ended up 11th after winning 3-0 at Hertha Berlin in their final match on Saturday.

The favourite to replace Lattek is former German libero Matthias Sammer, who was his assistant.

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Chelsea linked with Salas bid

Chelsea have been linked with a £17m move for Lazio's Chilean striker Marcelo Salas, according to the Daily Mail.

The paper says that the Blues have already had talks with Lazio, but added that Inter Milan are also interested.

If the deal goes through, it would smash the current British transfer record fee of £15m paid by Newcastle to Blackburn for Alan Shearer.

Lazio reportedly want £23m for the 25-year-old, but Chelsea believe they can capture the player for £6m less.

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Gunners 'sign Mayer'

Arsenal have signed Cameroon midfielder Lauren Bisan-Etame Mayer from Real Mallorca for around £7m, according to reports in Spain.

The 23-year-old, who still faces a medical, joined Mallorca two years ago after playing in the lower divisions of the Spanish league.

Real Madrid, Paris St Germain, Parma and Roma were also chasing him.

Mallorca secretary-general Mateao Alemany announced the move after his club's final game of the season.

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Dabizas signs new Magpies deal

Nikos Dabizas has signed a new four-year deal with Newcastle United, the club confirmed.

The 26-year-old Greek intenational joined the Magpies for £1m from Greek side Olympiakos in 1998 and became the first Greek to start in an English FA Cup final.

Dabizas fell out of favour with previous manager Ruud Gullitt and considered quitting the club before current coach Bobby Robson restored him to the side.

Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd said: "Nikos deserves his new deal, he has had a fine season. He is a strong defender who gives everything to the club."

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Ritchie out of Scots clash

Paul Ritchie will undertake a hernia operation this weekend which will rule him out of Scotland's friendly with the Republic of Ireland - but could pave the way for a move to Rangers.

The former Hearts defender, who is out of contract this summer at Bolton, wants the surgery now so that he can be ready for pre-season training which might yet be at Ibrox.

Rangers chairman David Murray said: "We plan to speak to Paul and his people next week.

"I believe he already has an offer on the table from Bolton, but we will have a chat and see if we can work something out."

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