…as Fowler moots 3m Nike offer

Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler is believed to be signing a 3m boot sponsorship deal with Nike to start when his current deal with Puma ends after Euro 96.

Fowler, who turned 21 this week, says he is “studying a few options” over his own boot sponsorship.

Nike would not comment on speculation that it has talked with Fowler, Professional Footballers’ Association Young Player of the Year, who made his debut for the England team against Bulgaria last month.

A Puma spokesman says Fowler’s three-year deal will continue to the end of the 1996 football season and through Euro 96.

He adds that Puma would not make an announcement about Fowler’s future with the company until after the European championships.

Nike existing Liverpool sponsorship leverage will weaken as striker Ian Rush, who has a boot deal with Nike, quits the side at the end of the season.

Nike is thought to have made a bid for the kit sponsorship of Liverpool last October, but was beaten by Reebok, which has signed what is believed to be a 20m deal with the club.