United chase Robin

London: Manchester United and Arsenal must bridge a £10 million gap in their respective valuations of Robin van Persie if the Dutch forward is to complete a move to Old Trafford.
United believe they are in pole position to beat Manchester City to the 28 year-old’s signature. But United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is understood to have made £15 million his top valuation of the striker — £10 million less than the Arsenal board’s asking price. United, City and Juventus have all lodged bids with Arsenal for Van Persie, who has sparked a three-way chase for his signature after refusing to sign a new contract at the Emirates to replace the final 12 months of his deal.

Modric fine

London: Luka Modric will be fined more than £80,000 after refusing to train as he attempts to finally force through a move from Tottenham Hotspur The 26-year-old midfielder was, nevertheless, believed to have boarded the team flight to Los Angeles on Saturday as the squad headed off for a pre-season tour to the United States.

Villa friendly

Bridgeview: Gaby Agbonlahor scored in the 29th minute and then left with an injury in the second half as Aston Villa beat the Chicago Fire 1-0 in a friendly on Saturday.

Cash prize

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Bank has distributed cash rewards among the state football players who performed well during the two friendly matches against Mohammedan Sporting last week. Goalkeeper Vikrmajeet Singh was given Rs 20,000, while Ishfaq Ahmed received Rs 10,000. Some other players were given Rs 5000 each.

Bellucci title

Gstaad: Unseeded Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci rallied to beat top-seeded Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia, 6-7 (6), 6-4, 6-2 in the Swiss Open final on Sunday. Bellucci, ranked No. 60, got his third career title and second at Gstaad. He won the clay-court event as a qualifier in 2009.

Tennis meet

Carlsbad: Top-seeded Marion Bartoli rebounded from a poor first set for a 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory over qualifier Chan Yung-Jan on Saturday that sent her into the final of the Mercury Insurance Open.

Andy show

Atlanta: Andy Roddick beat top-seeded John Isner 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-4 in the semi-finals of the Atlanta Open .