McManaman for sale as Real cut costs

The England World Cup reject Steve McManaman is up for sale at Real Madrid at a bargain price of £4m. However the former Liverpool player's high wages are putting off interested Premiership clubs, the list of which is headed by Arsenal.

McManaman will be allowed to leave the European Cup winners, who are cutting back as they feel the pinch after many years of big spending. He was a free agent when he moved from Anfield and the only way of moving him on is to seek a low price.

The Gunners are on the look-out for someone to replace the injured Robert Pires, but are unwilling to match the salary McManaman earns at the Spanish club.

Several agents are working on finding a buyer and last night one said: "Real may have to give Macca away for nothing to get him out. The wages are astronomical." McManaman now faces the prospect of staying in Madrid, where he is settled, but being a fringe player. He is in no rush to return to England, but his career could stall if he does not.

Niall Quinn has been appointed player-coach by Sunderland. The 35-year-old, who retired from international football after the Republic of Ireland's World Cup exit, will work alongside Adrian Heath, who becomes assistant to manager Peter Reid. The outgoing assistant manager, the veteran Bobby Saxton, takes up a new role which will concentrate on scouting.

Quinn's Republic of Ireland team-mate Kenny Cunningham could be joining him at Sunderland in a move from Wimbledon. The defender is in talks with the Wearside outfit.

The Manchester United pair Ronnie Wallwork and Raimond van der Gouw are set for moves to West Bromwich Albion and Coventry City respectively. The midfielder and goalkeeper are set to leave when their contracts expire this month.

West Ham United have made their first signing of the summer, with the arrival of the 18-year-old striker Youssef Sofiane for an undisclosed fee from the French club Auxerre.

"I know there were quite a few other clubs after me but I am very happy to be here," Sofiane said. "The aim was not to go to a massive club straight away, as I wanted to make a more gradual progression."

On his way out of Upton Park, though, is the defender Rigobert Song. Cameroon's World Cup captain, who spent last season on loan at the German club Cologne, is joining the French side Lens on a free transfer.