Ridsdale blocks Venables deal

The strained relationship between Terry Venables and Peter Ridsdale took another dive yesterday when the Leeds United chairman vetoed his manager's only major target when the transfer window opens in January.

Despite the Elland Road club being saddled with debts of £77m, Venables had hoped to sign the promising 24-year-old defender Gabriel Milito for £5m from the Argentinian champions, Independiente.

But, because of the club's financial problems, Ridsdale has told the player, regarded as the most promising in Argentinian domestic football, that the deal is too expensive. Milito had wanted around £25,000 per week and will now be offered to other English clubs.

Venables had asked for £10m to spend and wanted to bring in three new signings. Attempts to raise extra funds by selling players have also been hampered, with the value of out-of-favour midfielder Olivier Dacourt plummeting from £15m to £4m and few buyers expected for the Republic of Ireland international defender Ian Harte, who is for sale at just £2m. Lee Bowyer, meanwhile, appears to be running down his contract and will be a free agent next year.

Cardiff City hope to improve their Second Division promotion hopes by signing Tottenham Hotspur's Irish international defender Gary Doherty for around £1m. The Bluebirds' manager, Lennie Lawrence, sold Doherty to Spurs while in charge at Luton Town.

The Tottenham chairman, Daniel Levy, has said the club may move away from its White Hart Lane ground after 104 years unless plans to regenerate the area, including improved transport links, go ahead.

Robbie Keane, the Spurs striker, could be in trouble with the Football Association for his goal celebrations during Sunday's win over West Bromwich Albion. The former Wolverhampton Wanderers player ran towards Baggies fans and appeared to taunt them. The FA is awaiting referee Alan Wiley's match report.

Merseyside Police, meanwhile, have cleared El Hadji Diouf, the Liverpool striker, of spitting at West Ham United supporters.

Vladimir Labant, the West Ham defender and Slovakian international, is set to return to Sparta Prague after making just 13 appearances for the Hammers since his £900,000 move in January.

The Sunderland midfielder, Jason McAteer, will be out of action for another two months after having a second hernia operation at the weekend.

Manchester United are to go on a pre-season tour of the United States next year in which they will play Barcelona, Celtic, Juventus and Club America, of Mexico.