Football agent Saif Rubie’s court case against former Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia – that centres onKurt Zouma’s move to West Ham – is set to be heard in the High Court tomorrow.
Intermediary Rubie is pursuing Granovskaia, who was a leading figure during Roman Abramovich’s successful reign at Stamford Bridge, for her role in the non-payment of commission that the agent says he is owed from the centre back’s switch to the London Stadium in 2021.
A jury cleared Rubie of sending Granovskaia a threatening email in criminal court last year in relation to the Zouma deal and he has since opened his own case against Granovskaia.
The agent was acquitted of malicious communications in relation to an email sent to Granovskaia over a sum of money he said he was owed from the Zouma deal at Southwark Magistrates’ Court.
Chelsea received a transfer fee of £29.1million when selling Zouma to their London rivals.
FIFA laws state that an agent acting on behalf of a selling club is entitled to up to 10 per cent of the transfer fee – which means Rubie would be owed close to £3million.
Friday’s hearing is expected to focus on whether Rubie’s claim will continue within the court system or be referred to Football Association arbitration under Rule K.
The FA’s agent regulations state: ‘Disputes arising out of, or in connection with, a Representation Agreement without an international dimension shall be exclusively determined between the parties under Rule K (Arbitration) of the Rules.’
Saif Rubie is pursuing ex-Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia for her role in the non-payment of commission the agent says was owed from Kurt Zouma’s move to West Ham
A jury cleared Rubie of sending Granovskaia a threatening email in criminal court last year
Rubie initially pursued Chelsea as well as Granovskaia, but the Premier League club – in their position as an ‘FA participant’- successfully argued any claim should be dealt with under Rule K.
However, having left her role at Stamford Bridge in 2022 following Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital’s takeover, Granovskaia is no longer categorised as an FA participant – a matter Rubie’s side argue means the case against the Russian should remain in the court system.
If Friday’s hearing rules in Rubie’s favour, then Granovskaia could be forced to disclose details and documents – that have so far remained confidential – in relation to Zouma’s move across London.
Such a scenario could also result in Chelsea having to comply with requests for information the court deem relevant to the case.
Boost for Tuchel ahead of naming first England squad
Marc Guehi is set to hand England head coach Thomas Tuchel a major fitness boost with the defender expected to make a swift recovery from a knee injury suffered in the win over Aston Villa.
The Crystal Palace captain completed the full 90 minutes of Tuesday’s 4-1 home win but later received treatment for a knee complaint.
After the game, Eagles boss Oliver Glasner revealed Guehi had complained of pain in his knee.
Marc Guehi received treatment for a knee complaint after Crystal Palace’s 4-1 win over Aston Villa on Tuesday
England boss Thomas Tuchel watched Palace’s impressive victory from the stands at Selhurst Park
Tuchel is already without John Stones, who limped off in Man City’s defeat by Real Madrid
But Mail Sport understands the issue is not serious and, while it remains to be seen whether he will be risked in this weekend’s FA Cup clash against south London rivals Millwall, medics are happy that the problem will not sideline Guehi for the long term.
The news will please Glasner given Guehi’s importance to his team, but it will also be a relief to Tuchel ahead of his first squad selection on March 14.
Tuchel is already without John Stones, who will miss up to 10 weeks with a thigh injury.
Stones and Guehi are England’s first-choice centre-back pairing, and being without both players for the World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia would have been a big blow to Tuchel in his first camp.
Arsenal suffer blow to summer sale plans
The injuries suffered by Takehiro Tomiyasu and Gabriel Jesus have halted potential plans to sell the Arsenal pair this summer.
Mail Sport exclusively revealed earlier this month that Japan defender Tomiyasu was set to have a second knee operation, a development that was confirmed last week.
Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu is set to undergo a second knee operation, which will hamper plans to sell him
Mikel Arteta has been plagued by injuries to key players as their title charge has faltered
The procedure is very likely to prevent any sale of Tomiyasu at the end of the season.
Arsenal, it is understood, wanted to see how Tomiyasu returned from his spell on the sidelines before making a decision on his future.
With Kieran Tierney and Oleksandr Zinchenko expected to leave this summer, an impressive end to the season for Tomiyasu may have persuaded Arsenal to keep him.
But any decision is now on hold.
The Gunners will look to sell a number of players this summer with a view to building a transfer war chest.
But Tomiyasu’s recovery, which could extend to until December, looks likely to rule out any departure for the versatile defender.
It also opens the door to the Gunners losing Tomiyasu for nothing, with the 26-year-old able to sign a pre-contract with a rival club from January ahead of the expiry of his deal at the end of next season.
Tomiyasu has played just six minutes of football this season, coming on as a late substitute in the Carabao Cup win over Southampton in October, following a three- month recovery from a knee injury that saw him miss the start of the season.
Striker Gabriel Jesus is recovering from an ACL injury and will be out until late 2025
There’s a similar scenario brewing with striker Gabriel Jesus, who is recovering from an ACL injury.
Arsenal would have listened to offers for Jesus at the end of the season, but with his rehabilitation due to extend well into 2025, there appears no chance of the club selling the Brazil international.
Wan-Bissaka yet to pledge international allegiance
West Ham defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka is yet to commit his international future to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mail Sport understands.
The right back has impressed at the London Stadium following his summer move from Manchester United amid a clamour for him to be in contention for a senior England call-up.
Congo want to persuade Wan-Bissaka, who was called up into England’s senior side in 2019 but didn’t play, to pledge his international allegiance to them.
But as things stand the full-back is still to commit to a career with the African nation meaning he remains eligible for England.
There is stiff competition at right-back; with Kyle Walker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Reece James, Tino Livramento and potentially Ben White all in contention for selection in the role.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka is yet to commit his international future to the Democratic Republic of Congo
Nevertheless, Wan-Bissaka could emerge as an option should his excellent form continue.
Meanwhile, Wan-Bissaka’s team-mate Ollie Scarles has impressed Football Association scouts since his senior breakthrough earlier this season.
Scarles has impressed under Graham Potter in recent weeks and has caught the eye of national talent spotters.
The 19-year-old has already played for England juniors through to Under-18s, but can expect a promotion through the age groups should he show consistency with his displays.
Palace heading for Spain in break from Premier League action
Crystal Palace will head out to Marbella for a winter training camp following next weekend’s Premier League clash versus Ipswich.
Once the game against Kieran McKenna’s side is completed, Oliver Glasner’s side do not have a fixture until April 2, when they face Southampton.
And Palace will head to the popular Spanish destination ahead of the international break for some winter sun and training ahead of the season’s climax.
Oliver Glasner is set to take his players on a winter training camp to Marbella
Meanwhile, the completion of Sportsbank’s protracted Palace investment is now on course to be completed during the middle of March.
The transaction was due to be completed by the end of February but an foreseen delay due to health issues has interrupted proceedings.
Spurs’ Far East plans
Tottenham Hotspur are finalising plans for a pre-season tour of Asia.
The Premier League club are in advanced talks over a summer training camp in the Far East, though the details of the tour are still to be signed.
The huge popularity of captain Heung-min Son in the region makes ventures to Asia very lucrative exercises for Spurs.
With that in mind, it is likely Spurs will schedule a stop in Korea, while a game in Hong Kong has also been discussed.
There have been talks over a north London friendly against Arsenal as part of the trip but a clash against Mikel Arteta’s side is still to be confirmed.
The huge popularity of captain Heung-min Son in Asia makes trips there lucrative exercises for Tottenham Hotspur
Several clubs in the Premier League and abroad are interested in Southampton’s Tyler Dibling
How top-flight clubs are snooping on each other
Premier League figures are covertly listening to X broadcasts of rival clubs in hope of garnering inside information.
X, the social media platform formally known as Twitter, is a vital tool for supporter groups, who often have journalists speaking on their live broadcasts – known as Twitter Spaces.
And Mail Sport has learned that representatives from rival clubs have been listening in in hope of hearing nuggets of information that may help their club moving forward.
Teams queuing up for Saints star
Aston Villa have joined the growing list of clubs interested in Southampton youngster Tyler Dibling.
Mail Sport has learned the Midlands club made tentative enquires regarding the 18-year-old’s situation in recent weeks.
Dibling – rated as one of the country’s brightest talents – is expected to leave St Mary’s at the end of the season.
The teenager also have concrete interest from Tottenham and Red Bull Leipzig.