Transfers news and gossips
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LONDON, Jan 7 (Reuters) - Arsenal captain Thierry Henry has ended speculation about his future by pledging to remain with the north London team.
'The truth is I love this club and I have made up my mind to stay,' the France striker was quoted as saying in The Sun newspaper on Saturday.
'I can say to all my fans and the people who care about me, I want to lead the team out in the new stadium (next season). I'll talk to (manager) Arsene Wenger, to (vice-chairman) David Dein and the board and talk of the future.
'My mind is to stay and we have to sort this out.'
Henry's contract ends in 18 months' time and he had previously said that he would not decide whether to sign a new deal until the end of this season, leading to strong links with Spanish champions Barcelona.
'There was a lot of ridiculous speculation,' Henry told The Sun. 'But the truth is this, I never spoke with or met with a single person from any other club at any time.
'This will put an end to all the stories. We can move on.'
Henry, who will be rested when Arsenal host second division Cardiff City in the third round of the FA Cup later on Saturday, said the reaction of the fans played an important role in his decision.
'Obviously I did think about leaving Arsenal. It's a big decision because I thought if I do commit to this club, it could be for life,' he said.
'I am still only 28. But when I see the fans and the way they talk to me, it helped make my decision.
'They didn't boo me or make life difficult for me on the pitch. In other countries you could play for a team for 10 years and if you say, 'can I have time to think about my future?', the fans would go mad.'
Henry joined Arsenal from Juventus in August 1999 and became the top scorer in the club's history this season.
There was more good news for Wenger's side when Dutch international striker Robin van Persie agreed a new five-year deal with the club.
'I am very happy that I have extended my contract to 2011,' the 22-year-old van Persie told Arsenal's website.
'I am very happy too with my team mates and the boss (Wenger). In fact a lot of my progress is down to him and his faith in me.'
Arsenal are fifth in the Premier League, 24 points behind leaders Chelsea. -
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Blues fail with player-plus-cash Johnson bid
Birmingham have abandoned hopes of trying to re-sign former striker Andrew Johnson after having a player-plus-cash offer worth approximately £6.5million rejected by Crystal Palace.
Blues were prepared to pay £3million plus two unnamed players for 24-year-old Johnson who left St Andrews for Palace four years ago.
Manager Steve Bruce had been keen to sign Johnson before eventually landing Chris Sutton from Celtic on a short-term contract.
City co-owner David Sullivan said: 'We have been told that Andrew Johnson is not for sale.
'Their view is that they are going for promotion and wouldn't look at selling him until the summer at least, assuming they didn't make it.'
Palace rejected bids for Johnson from Tottenham and Everton in the summer following the Eagles' relegation from the Premiership.
Bruce was also unsuccessful in trying to sign Henrik Larsson from Barcelona before Sutton agreed to move south of the border.
Bruce is still looking for a striker with pace to compliment the skills of Sutton and Emile Heskey.
West Brom's out-of-favour frontman Robert Earnshaw also came under scrutiny but Birmingham would be unwilling to pay the £3million it is understood any club would have to fork out for the Welsh international.
In any case, Albion boss Bryan Robson has already rejected two transfer requests from Earnshaw who has made only four Premiership starts this season. -
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Updated: Jan. 7, 2006
Lovenkrands not interested in Pompey move
Rangers forward Peter Lovenkrands has told Portsmouth he is not interested in joining them.
The Denmark international has been the subject of Fratton Park interest, according to the player's agent, Ivan Benes.
Lovenkrands' contract at Ibrox ends in the summer and he rejected a new deal with the club earlier this season.
But the 25-year-old, who has scored nine goals in his last six appearances, is content to sit back and consider his options.
Benes told the Scottish Daily Express: 'Peter has known about Portsmouth's interest for a while.
'They tried to get him last summer and came back to us last month, but Peter's position hasn't changed.
'He has to consider his options because he is out of contract at the end of the season, but he has made it clear that he wasn't really interested in going to Portsmouth.' -
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Updated: Jan. 7, 2006
Wanderers snap up Oman keeper
Bolton have eased their goalkeeping worries with the capture of Oman international Ali Al-Habsi from top Norwegian club SFK Lyn.
The highly-rated 23-year-old has signed a three-and-a-half-year contract at the Reebok Stadium.
With doubts surrounding the future of Wanderers number one Jussi Jaaskelainen, Bolton boss Sam Allardyce was delighted with his new signing.
He told the club's official website: 'Ali has a massive presence in front of goal and will add much needed competition in a key area for us.
'He aspires to be a great keeper in the Premiership and we'll certainly give him the platform he needs to become a respected player in the best league in the world.'
The 6ft 5in shot-stopper added: 'The club is going places and I was impressed with Sam Allardyce's hopes for the future.'
Meanwhile, Bolton have released former France midfielder Martin Djetou.
The ex-Fulham player moved to the Reebok Stadium as a free agent on a short-term deal in October but made only five appearances, three of them as a substitute.
Ironically, Djetou was all set for an appearance in Bolton's FA Cup third-round tie at Watford today as manager Sam Allardyce was considering whether to offer him a new deal. -
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Updated: Jan. 8, 2006
Fulham to sign Southampton goalkeeper Niemi
LONDON, Jan 7 (Reuters) - Fulham have reached agreement with Southampton to sign their Finnish goalkeeper Antti Niemi on Monday, the Premier League club has announced.
The move was confirmed by Southampton manager George Burley who left the former Finland keeper out of his second division side's 4-3 FA Cup third round victory over MK Dons.
A report on Southampton's official website said the west London club are reportedly set to pay about £1million for Niemi, who joined the south coast club for £2million from Hearts 3-1/2 years ago.
Burley wanted to keep the Finn, who retired from international football in May, but said: 'Antti has spoken to Fulham and I believe he has agreed terms.
'He is almost 34 and wanted to end his career with a deal that will give him and his family security.
'I told him that I would like him to stay but I did not feel I could stand in his way. It was a tough decision for him but he wants to go and it should go through on Monday.
Burley added: 'It was not a financial decision to sell, simply that Antti wanted the chance to secure a Premiership contract at this stage of his career.' -
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Updated: Jan. 8, 2006
Newcastle told to forget about Allardyce
Bolton chairman Phil Gartside has issued a hands-off warning to Newcastle over Wanderers boss Sam Allardyce.
Speculation has been rife that Magpies manager Graeme Souness could soon be on his way out of St James' Park and Allardyce has been linked as a possible replacement.
However, Gartside told The Mail on Sunday: 'I've already decided that if (Newcastle chairman) Freddy Shepherd wanted to talk to Sam about the Newcastle job he would be denied permission to do so.
'I've explained my thinking to Sam and I've already told him that he wouldn't be allowed to speak to Newcastle at the moment under any circumstances.
'He accepted my decision and he is fully committed to Bolton Wanderers.
'The only way I would be prepared to consider allowing Sam to leave the club - and he has three years left on his contract - is if the England job came up.' -
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Updated: Jan. 10, 2006
Man Utd complete signing of defender Evra
Manchester United have completed the signing of French defender Patrice Evra.
The 24-year-old has come through his medical and signed a three-and-a-half year deal with the Old Trafford outfit.
United are thought to have paid Monaco around £5million for the player, who should now go straight into Sir Alex Ferguson's squad for tomorrow night's Carling Cup tie with Blackburn at Ewood Park.
'He is a good age and he is still developing as a player, which is always exciting,' said Ferguson.
'We have been monitoring him all season and it is fantastic that he is joining Manchester United.'
Inter Milan were also interested in landing the Senegal-born player, who joined Monaco from Nice in 2002.
However, Red Devils chief executive David Gill flew to the principality to clinch the deal on Thursday evening.
Although Evra, who will be handed the vacant squad number three, is also capable of operating in midfield, United see their most recent purchase mainly as a left-back.
It is a position they have had trouble filling since Gabriel Heinze ruptured cruciate ligaments in September.
With Heinze out for the remainder of the season, Evra will be given the opportunity to make a defensive slot his own and try to push himself forward for a recall into the French World Cup squad this summer.
The Under-21 international won the last of his five senior caps in 2002, since when he has been ignored by France coach Raymond Domenech.
Of more importance to Ferguson will be his contribution to United's cause.
Although the Red Devils are virtually out of title contention already and have also been eliminated from the Champions League, Ferguson is determined to secure at least one domestic trophy and finish no lower than second in the Premiership table.
As he stated yesterday, he is also intent on building a new side that can be successful in the future and just 10 days since the transfer window opened has already spent £12million following the earlier arrival of Serbian centre-half Nemanja Vidic. -
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Updated: Jan. 10, 2006
Ashdown injury intensifies Schwarzer interest
Portsmouth goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown may be out for at least two more weeks after slipping a disc in his back.
The setback could intensify Pompey's interest in Middlesbrough's Mark Schwarzer who is available for around £2million - even though Sander Westerveld has conceded only two goals in three games since taking over.
Westerveld, who was quoted over the weekend saying living in Hampshire was boring and claimed his amateur club in Holland was better run, was dropped after just four appearances at the start of the season.
The 31-year-old was blamed for a string of blunders reminiscent of the ones that brought his Liverpool career to an end two years ago, but he kept clean sheets in 1-0 wins over Fulham and Ipswich and was impressive in the 2-1 defeat at Blackburn.
Ashdown, bought from Reading at the start of last season, was thought to have damaged a hamstring during the warm-up for the game against Fulham on New Year's Eve but subsequent scans have shown up the disc problem.
Australian international Schwarzer shocked Boro by handing in a transfer request last week and was told by manager Steve McClaren he would be allowed to depart.
Pompey boss Harry Redknapp has not yet spoken to Boro but confirmed he would like to bring the 33-year-old to Fratton Park if the financial side of the deal suits his club.
The Portsmouth manager told Sky Sports: 'There is an interest there. I like him.
'He is a top keeper, no doubt about it and for sure we are certainly interested.
'Whether we could do a deal and afford him remains to be seen. But there is nothing concrete on that at the moment.' -
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Updated: Jan. 10, 2006
Niemi completes Fulham move
Antti Niemi has completed his transfer from Southampton to Fulham.
The Premiership club are believed to have paid around £1million for the 33-year-old Finnish goalkeeper, who has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal at Craven Cottage.
Manager Chris Coleman said: 'Antti is an intelligent goalkeeper of great ability, and with proven credentials at the very highest level, I believe he will be a great addition to our squad and we look forward to welcoming him here.'
The former Rangers and Hearts player, who made 123 appearances for Saints, is expected to become Coleman's first-choice keeper ahead of Tony Warner, who signed last week from Cardiff.
Niemi said: 'I met with Chris Coleman, Steve Kean and Dave Beasant to talk about a potential move, and was very impressed with the amount of time they spent with me discussing their future plans, which was a real factor in my decision to come to the club.
'I am looking forward to joining the squad for training today and to being back in the Premiership again.'
Niemi, who is expected to make his debut against Newcastle on Saturday, was unable to prevent the Saints being relegated last season.
He added: 'It is a good move for me but I would not have gone if the whole package had not been right.
'It is a good club and a wonderful part of London and I will enjoy life there.
'But I am still sad to be leaving Southampton. I have had a great time and some wonderful memories - although relegation last season was the worst moment of my career.
'Saints have been good to me and I am leaving on very good terms.' -
u think Fergie gonna spend more?
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Updated: Jan. 11, 2006
'United bid for Real Madrid's Gravesen'
MADRID, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Real Madrid players who are unhappy with their lot should leave, coach Juan Ramon Lopez Caro said on Wednesday.
'Anyone who is unsettled here should head for the door and go,' Lopez Caro told a news conference.
'If they are not prepared to help the team they shouldn't try and fool themselves or the club.' Real are 13 points behind leaders Barcelona in sixth position.
Lopez Caro was responding to a question about Denmark midfielder Thomas Gravesen, who has been reported in the British press as being unsettled at his lack of opportunities.
'I haven't noticed anything amiss with the player, if I had I would have spoken to him about it.
'I can only praise Gravesen as an excellent professional and an excellent person. I am surprised by the things they write about him.'
Danish tabloid Ekstra Bladet reported on Wednesday that Manchester United had made an offer of 3.8 million euros ($4.6 million) for Gravesen, but that Real were holding out for 5 million.
The 29-year-old joined Real from Everton in January 2005 for a reported fee of 3.5 million euros.
After being a regular starter under former coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo until the end of last season, he has dropped out of favour this term behind Pablo Garcia, Guti, Ivan Helguera and Sergio Ramos in the holding role in midfield. -
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Updated: Jan. 11, 2006
Benfica want Bolton reserve Borgetti
Benfica coach Ronald Koeman is interested in Jared Borgetti, according to the Bolton striker's agent.
Borgetti has yet to start a Premiership match and is anxious to build some momentum ahead of the World Cup finals with Mexico.
The player's representative Eriberto Lopez wants talks with Bolton officials to see what the future holds.
Lopez told Portuguese newspaper O Jogo: 'Ronald Koeman is interested in signing Borgetti.
'Borgetti is very happy about that because it is an important club.
'If a transfer were to be confirmed he would have the opportunity to play in Champions League.
'His wish is to remain in Europe and there is also interest from Germany and Italy. But it is up to Bolton to decide.'
Lopez indicated the 32-year-old Mexico striker would move on if he was not guaranteed more games.
He added: 'Should the coach (Sam Allardyce) decide to count on the player it is possible he will continue. But if it is the opposite he will leave.
'That is why we have to talk to the Bolton executives and analyse in detail the proposals that are on the table.' -
Here, premierleague.com keeps track of all the comings and goings with the transfer window due to close again at midnight on Tuesday, January 31.
Aston Villa
Out: Stefan Postma (Wolves, undisclosed)
Birmingham City
In: Chris Sutton (Celtic, free)
Out: Asa Hall (Boston United, loan)
Blackburn Rovers
Out: Matt Jansen (released)
Bolton Wanderers
In: Ali Al-Habsi (Lyn Oslo, free)
Out: Martin Djetou (released)
Charlton Athletic
Out: James Walker (Hartlepool, loan)
Chelsea
In: Maniche (Dynamo Moscow, loan)
Out: Steve Watt (Swansea, free)
Fulham
In: Antti Niemi (Southampton, undisclosed), Tony Warner (Cardiff City, undisclosed), Simon Elliott (Columbus Crew, free)
Liverpool
In: Jan Kromkamp (Villarreal, undisclosed), Paul Anderson (Hull City, in exchange for John Welsh)
Out: Josemi (Villarreal, undisclosed), John Welsh (Hull City, in exchange for Paul Anderson)
Manchester City
In: Albert Riera (Espanyol, loan)
Manchester United
In: Nemanja Vidic (Spartak Moscow, undisclosed), Patrice Evra (Monaco, undisclosed)
Out: David Jones (NEC Nijmegen, loan), Chris Eagles (Watford, loan), Mads Timm (Walsall, loan), David Bellion (Nice, loan)
Newcastle United
Out: Laurent Robert (Benfica, free)
Portsmouth
In:Benjani Mwaruwari (Auxerre, £4.1million), Emmanuel Olisadebe (Panathinaikos, free)
West Ham United
In: Yaniv Katan (Maccabi Haifa, £100,000)
Out: Luke Chadwick (Stoke City, £100,000), Gavin Williams (Ipswich Town, £300,000)
Wigan Athletic
In: Paul Scharner (Brann Bergen, undisclosed) -
i wonder will Patrice Evra or Heinze fill the left back slot when both are fit..hmmm...
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Updated: Jan. 12, 2006
Portsmouth complete triple signing
Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp will look at the possibility of signing Glen Johnson on loan from Chelsea after bolstering his squad with Sean Davis, Pedro Mendes and Noe Pamarot from Tottenham.
Redknapp has spent around £12million since co-owner Alexandre Gaydamak's investment at Fratton Park, with Zimbabwe striker Benjani Mwaruwari also brought to the club from French side Auxerre.
However, Redknapp will continue to look for new players in his bid to keep Pompey in the Barclays Premiership.
'I'm still looking,' said Redknapp, who returned to the club last month after a year with rivals Southampton.
'I knew when I first came back the squad needed strengthening and it probably still does.
'But I'm delighted to have signed three more quality players in one fell swoop and I think we can get them back on track to being outstanding players in the Premiership.'
Chelsea full-back Johnson, who is also linked with a move to French side Lyon, is a player Redknapp is interested in.
'Although I would like Glen I'm not sure Chelsea will loan him out to us,' Redknapp said. 'That's something we have to look at after the weekend.'
Redknapp, however, may now ease off in his search for a new goalkeeper. He has been linked with Middlesbrough's Australia star Mark Schwarzer and Norwich's Robert Green, but Jamie Ashdown is now in training after a back injury.
Redknapp added: 'If he is fit and can play this weekend or next we should have no problems in that area.
'But I've had the backing of the board in the deals we've done and without that we couldn't have done them. I'm well pleased.'
Davis and Mendes are looking for first-team action after finding opportunities limited following the arrival of midfielders Michael Carrick, Edgar Davids and Jermaine Jenas at White Hart Lane.
Mendes, who won the Champions League with Porto under Jose Mourinho, said: 'I'm very proud Portsmouth think I can help them get out of trouble and it is a big challenge.
'I've enjoyed my time here but I need this new chance and I'm happy to take it.'
All three players started the season injured but returned to fitness with Spurs in form and challenging for a Champions League place.
Davis admitted: 'I had my injury problems including a knee operation but the last three or four months have been a bit of a nightmare training with the reserves and not getting a look-in with the first team.
'I could have moved in pre-season but I decided to stay on and fight for my place but it never came around and I never got the chance to show why they had bought me in the first place.
'So when I was given the opportunity to come here and enjoy my day-to-day work I snapped at it. I'm not bitter but it is hard when you obviously don't appeal to the manager. Here I know I can work with a smile on my face.'
It is Pamarot's second spell at Portsmouth after a brief spell on loan at Fratton Park in 1999 when he played just one league match and then returned to Nice before Spurs eventually signed him for £1million in August 2004.
Pompey face Everton at Fratton Park on Saturday when the new signings - along with on-loan striker Emmanuel Olisadebe - are set for their debuts, although there is a doubt over Mwaruwari's availability because of the African Nations Cup.
Pompey chairman Milan Mandaric confirmed all three of the signings from Tottenham have penned two-and-a-half year contracts, and conceded: 'Going down now would be financially disastrous - but we are not looking at that.
'(Alexandre) Sacha Gaydamak is behind what we are doing and and we are supporting Harry Redknapp. Financially it is 50-50 between both of us.
'Spending a lot of money doesn't guarantee you don't go down but if you don't do anything you've got an even bigger chance of going down. -
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Updated: Jan. 12, 2006
Diaby joins Arsenal in four-year deal
AUXERRE, Jan 12 (Reuters) - AJ Auxerre midfielder Abou Diaby has signed a four-year deal with Arsenal, the Ligue 1 side said in a statement on Thursday.
Diaby, 20, has just made three top flight appearances this season. He won the under-19 European Championship with France two years ago.
'The player chose Arsenal and Auxerre, who are not used to breaking players' careers, has agreed with the club,' Auxerre vice-president Gerard Bourgoin told sports daily L'Equipe's website.
'The deal starts now,' he added. -
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Updated: Jan. 12, 2006
Spurs poised to make move for Bridge
Tottenham will test Chelsea's resolve to hang on to their fringe players by making a £6million move for England left-back Wayne Bridge.
Coach Martin Jol offloaded defender Noe Pamarot along with midfielders Sean Davis and Pedro Mendes to Portsmouth in a £7.5million deal and then refused to rule out making a move for the unsettled Bridge.
Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho has repeatedly insisted nobody will be leaving his Stamford Bridge squad unless they are unhappy and want to quit.
But that situation may change once Spurs make an official approach for Bridge who is desperate for first-team football ahead of this summer's World Cup finals in Germany.
England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has told the former Southampton defender he needs to be playing regularly to stand any hope of being included in his squad for the tournament.
Bridge has yet to figure in the Barclays Premiership for Chelsea since recovering from the serious ankle fracture he sustained against Newcastle in the FA Cup quarter-final last season.
Spurs lack cover on the left side and Bridge would help Jol to push Lee Young-Pyo into a more attacking role.
When quizzed about the possibility of a move for the Chelsea defender, Jol refused to deny their interest in him.
'We are still working on the left-back but I don't talk about new players,' he said. 'I still feel that if you want to be a top side, you need two players in every position. With the three players going now we have to do something.
'If Lee is out on the left side, we don't have a left-winger. Andy Reid is fit again but he is not a real wing player.'
Spurs have also been linked with Udinese striker Vincenzo Iaquinta as a replacement for Grzegorz Rasiak but Jol believes the £7million price tag is too expensive for Spurs at the present time.
Rasiak has not settled at at the club and he was taunted by Spurs fans during their 3-2 FA Cup defeat at the hands of Championship side Leicester on Sunday.
The club's sporting director Damien Comolli is believed to have flown to Italy to assess the possibility of a deal for Iaquinta who is expected to be part of their World Cup squad this summer.
The sale of three of their fringe first-team players to Portsmouth represents a nice slice of business for Spurs but it left a sour taste as Jol's man-management style was criticised by former Fulham midfielder Davis.
Davis claimed Jol's style meant players were frozen out and ignored if they were not part of his regular first-team squad.
But Jol accepted such criticism comes with the territory of trying to keep such a large squad happy and refused to hit back at Davis.
'It's a very difficult one because if you never play or you are injured and come back and play occasionally, it is very difficult to keep players happy sometimes,' conceded Jol.
'I did not speak to him for the last three or four weeks because he was injured. You get this kind of thing but there is no problem.
'If you ask other players they will say that he is an unbelievable man-manager but if you have 26 or 27 players, you get the same thing in football all the time.
'If you speak to players all the time they expect to play and sometimes it is impossible. Even with Jermain Defoe, sometimes I have to leave him because if you talk to them all the time, what sort of reaction do you get? It's a reality of football. They haven't played, so they won't be happy with the manager.
'When they come to me and want to leave I said I would think about it. Stephen Kelly also asked to leave because he wants to play but you can't let everyone go.'
But Jol will not re-think his policy of having such a large squad despite acknowledging the difficulties of keeping fringe players involved and happy.
'No, I will not do that,' declared Jol. 'I have a structure with every player mentally but sometimes you cannot talk a lot because, and I'm not saying it is true in this case, you might want to get rid of them.
'If you talk a lot to them, they might make their minds up and stay,' he joked. 'Sean Davis was not happy at all for the last six months. Pedro Mendes was already out of the team for 12 months and even when you try to make them happy it is impossible because they are not playing and that is the main thing they want to do.' -
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Updated: Jan. 12, 2006
Baggies revive Ugo's move as Boro agree to sell
Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren has avoided a potential showdown with defender Ugo Ehiogu after belatedly sanctioning his move back to West Brom.
The 33-year-old was furious yesterday when his return to the midlands was scuppered at the last minute by team-mate Gareth Southgate's suspected stress fracture of the ankle.
Ehiogu, who had agreed terms with the Baggies after being told he was surplus to requirements at the Riverside Stadium, was unhappy with the about-turn.
However, he got his wish today when it was revealed that Southgate, who saw a specialist yesterday, is not as badly injured as was first thought and McClaren decided to allow the move to go through after all.
'We were very concerned with the serious possibility that Gareth had a stress fracture to his ankle,' the manager said. 'Clearly, if Gareth had joined Franck Queudrue as long-term injured, it would not have been in the club's best interests to allow Ugo to move on.
'Thankfully, Gareth's injury doesn't appear to be as serious as first feared. Scans have been taken that do not suggest a fracture. That's clearly great news as I don't need to spell out how important Gareth is to the team.
'Gareth will rest for the next week, maybe two, and the ankle will be assessed on an ongoing basis. As long as the injury settles down, we will have him back fairly soon.
'The knock-on effect is that we have now decided to let Ugo's transfer to West Brom go through as originally planned.'
That will have come as welcome news to Ehiogu, who had grown disillusioned with his lack of opportunities at the Riverside, where he arrived as the club's then-record signing in an £8million move from Aston Villa in October 2000.
He has made 133 appearances for the club and was in the side which lifted the Carling Cup in February 2004.
However, he has played just 13 times this season, the last of them the 3-3 Premiership draw with Tottenham on December 18.
McClaren, who has Queudrue out for up to eight weeks, Chris Riggott battling to shake off a dead leg and Emanuel Pogatetz suspended for Saturday's trip to Arsenal, insisted he was right to be cautious with only inexperienced duo Matthew Bates and David Wheater waiting in the wings.
'It was right for us to be cautious and put the transfer on hold when there was concern that Gareth could be out for an extended period, as we had to do what was right for Middlesbrough,' he told the club's official website.
'Now we feel it's best for the club and for Ugo that he moves on to pastures new. He has been an outstanding servant to this club over the past four or five years and should be remembered fondly by fans for his part in winning the Carling Cup.
'But I have explained to him that I can't guarantee him the first-team football he naturally wants at this stage in his career. We have some excellent young players coming through and we want to ensure they fulfil their potential.'
Today's news will come as a relief to Southgate, who disappointed to have been the indirect cause of his former Villa team-mate's on-off transfer.
He will now set his sights on returning to action as soon as possible.
'We don't think there is a stress fracture there, so we are just waiting to see what happens,' he said. 'We will let it settle over the next week or so and take it from there.
'Normally injuries are black and white and you can put a timescale on them. It could be something that is a couple of weeks, it could be something that is considerably longer than that.
'The best scenario from my point of view is I am back in a couple of weeks, but that's not certain. You want to be around to help your team-mates but if you are not fit, there is nothing you can do about it.' -
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Updated: Jan. 12, 2006
Birmingham agree £1m fee with Espanyol for Pandiani
Birmingham players have praised the professionalism during difficult times of outgoing striker Walter Pandiani who is on the verge of completing a £1million move to Espanyol.
Blues have agreed to sell the 29-year-old Uruguayan international for a third of the £3million they paid Deportivo La Coruna for his services in the summer following a successful loan spell.
Pandiani, who is hoping to agree personal terms with Espanyol in the next 24 hours, has struggled to make an impact during the current campaign and has scored only two Premiership goals against Liverpool and Manchester United.
But City keeper Maik Taylor and skipper Kenny Cunningham have nothing but admiration for Pandiani in showing the right attitude during his 12 months at St. Andrews.
Northern Ireland number one Taylor said: 'It has been difficult for him but I rate Walter very highly. I think he has been very unlucky with the way things have been going.
'We all know that he can score goals if he is given the service - but the whole team has not been doing as well as it can do. Unfortunately for Walter he has not been playing as much as he would like.
'He also had the language barrier to contend with to start with but, to be fair to him, he has come on a lot and does understand a hell of a lot now. He has worked extremely hard in trying to breach the language barrier.'
Cunningham said: 'Walter probably hasn't had as many starts as he would have wanted. With the team having struggled, the manager has been forced to chop and change things and look for that winning formula, so Walter has had to be patient at times.
'But no-one could doubt his professionalism. He is a very good trainer. He has turned up every day with the right attitude, he trained hard and even when he has been left out and put on the bench, he has always showed the right kind of attitude.'
Pandiani's departure will provide Bruce with the spending power to try to sign out-of-favour Charlton striker Jason Euell. The City manager watched him in reserve action in midweek.
Chris Sutton is poised to make his debut alongside Emile Heskey against the Addicks at The Valley on Saturday after a full week's training following his move from Celtic. -
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Updated: Jan. 12, 2006
Lyon confirm interest in Chelsea misfit Johnson
Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has confirmed the French league leaders are interested in Chelsea defender Glen Johnson.
Johnson has struggled to break into the Chelsea team since his £6million move from West Ham in July 2003 and a move may increase his chances of playing in the World Cup with England this summer.
Lyon are short of defensive cover due to injuries and players departing for African Nations Cup duty.
After watching his side beat Marseille 2-1 last night, Aulas said: 'There are opportunities for now or June and Glen Johnson is on the list of players we are following closely.
'It does not only depend on us but on his club Chelsea too.'
Johnson has only made three appearances for Chelsea this season with coach Jose Mourinho preferring to use Portugal's Paulo Ferreira in the right-back role. -
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Updated: Jan. 13, 2006
Bolton snap up Jansen
Bolton have signed Matt Jansen after the striker was released by Premiership neighbours Blackburn.
The 28-year-old has been given a contract which runs until the end of the season and becomes manager Sam Allardyce's second signing of the transfer window following the capture of Oman goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi.
Allardyce said: 'Matt has great potential, even though he hasn't been involved with Blackburn of late, and I do believe he has the right qualities to resurrect his career here at the Reebok.
'I am looking forward to working with him between now and the end of the season and I hope he can recapture the form that made him one of England's best strikers a couple of seasons ago.'
Jansen, who could go straight into the squad to face his former club at Ewood Park tomorrow, made 182 appearances for Blackburn over a seven-year period and scored 57 goals in all competitions. -
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Updated: Jan. 13, 2006
Monaco Striker Adebayor set to join Arsenal
MONACO/LONDON, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Emmanuel Adebayor will never play for Monaco again, the club's president said, and the Togo striker is likely to sign for Arsenal later on Friday.
'One thing is for sure, he (Adebayor) will never play for us again,' Michel Pastor told Reuters after media reports that several clubs were interested in the player.
Adebayor was excluded from the Monaco team on Wednesday for repeatedly missing training and Pastor said there would also be financial sanctions.
'It would be good news for us and for him,' Pastor said when asked about a possible deal. 'The sooner he leaves, the better.'
Arsenal said on their Web site that manager Arsene Wenger hoped to sign Adebayor before he flew off to the African Nations Cup in Egypt, starting on January 20.
'We are looking at a striker called Adebayor,' Wenger told a news conference on Friday. 'I think it could happen later today.
'He has qualities that we don't have in the side. He is tall, good in the air and makes good runs.'
Adebayor would have faced a struggle to win back his place in the Monaco starting line-up even without the sanctions, now that Italian strikers Marco Di Vaio and Christian Vieri have joined the club.
The lanky 22-year-old, who is largely responsible for Togo's surprise qualification for the World Cup, had a difficult relationship with Monaco coach Francesco Guidolin.
Earlier, Arsenal completed the signing of French midfielder Abou Diaby from AJ Auxerre for an undisclosed fee.
The 19-year-old has signed a long-term contract, Arsenal said, without giving further details. -
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Updated: Jan. 13, 2006
Dudek desperate to leave Liverpool
Goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek wants to leave Liverpool 'at whatever cost', insists he will not play another game for the club and has accused manager Rafael Benitez of talking 'rubbish'.
The 32-year-old was a hero for the Anfield club in last season's Champions League final against AC Milan, playing a key role in the penalty shoot-out as Liverpool lifted the trophy for the fifth time.
But he has since fallen behind both Jose Reina and Scott Carson in the Anfield pecking order, and wants first team football to protect his place in the Poland team for this summer's World Cup finals in Germany.
'My time at Liverpool has reached its end. Nothing can change that,' Dudek told The Sun.
The Pole believes Liverpool want £3million for him, but said: 'If someone buys me for £3million, Liverpool will have pulled off the transfer deal of the year. I am 33 in March. I have no idea how they came to such an absurd figure.
'It's the latest lot of rubbish from Benitez. Even if he wants to play me in a Liverpool match, I don't want to play for this club any more.
'I can't see any point talking further with Benitez. It's a waste of time. I have decided to leave Liverpool at whatever cost and I won't change my mind. Benitez just makes the frustration deeper.
'I didn't go to play against Luton in the FA Cup last Saturday especially to make it clear to Benitez I am not interested in being the club's second-choice keeper.
'Why doesn't he behave like a decent person for once in his life and start treating me in a proper way, like I always have him?' -
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Updated: Jan. 13, 2006
Birmingham deal for Euell far from done - Curbs
Charlton manager Alan Curbishley has told Birmingham they must try harder if they are to take want-away striker Jason Euell off his hands.
The 28-year-old, who was once a club record signing when he was recruited from Wimbledon, is on the transfer list having become frustrated at a lack of first-team football over the past 18 months.
Birmingham - the Addicks' opponents at The Valley tomorrow - are keen to sign him but not keen enough for Curbishley's liking.
He said: 'Birmingham are sniffing around but they are not doing enough. In this window everyone is jostling around trying to do things and we are no different, but they are not doing enough at the moment.
'Jason has made his feelings known and whoever is interested has a couple of weeks to do something about it. If acceptable bids come along we will have to think about it but at the moment none has.'
Euell has recovered from a shoulder injury but is unlikely even to make the bench tomorrow.
Curbishley said: 'Jason had a very disappointing year last year. It wasn't all his fault, it wasn't all my fault. Obviously he wants to play, like they all do.
'His beef with me was that when we were not doing so well I still didn't put him in. We put him on the list and during the summer he had a move to Birmingham that looked like being a go-er until he hurt his shoulder, which was no-one's fault.
'I can understand his frustration as he hasn't played for the first team in over a year but once that window closes, if no business is done he has got to get on with it.
'I have got a big squad but I have said to them that if anyone wants to go then we will try to do something about it.'
One deal Curbishley does not expect to go through is a swap with Newcastle for Lee Bowyer, the former Charlton midfielder who is keen to return to London.
The Magpies want to exchange him for Danny Murphy, who is fit again following a hamstring problem, but Curbishley insisted the England international was going nowhere.
He said: 'I have not spoken to Graeme Souness since I signed Darren Ambrose. There is no swap deal with Bowyer.
'Danny has been unsettled by it all but speculation is part of football, especially in this month when it is so intense.
'It is no secret that Lee Bowyer wants to come back to London but at the moment I am looking at other areas.'
Charlton have also been linked with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink of Middlesbrough and a loan arrangement with Millwall to give out-of-favour striker Jonatan Johansson some first-team action but Curbishley was adamant that neither deal would happen.
Norway international Thomas Myhre keeps his place in goal tomorrow, which will only intensify the frustration of former number one Dean Kiely, who now wants to leave.
Curbishley said: 'Dean has never been second choice before and I have had chats with him.
'He feels he should be our number one but I have said to him I am happy with having three 'keepers so we will have to see how that develops.'
Birmingham are likely to hand a debut to new signing Chris Sutton as Emile Heskey's strike partner, although the former Celtic man's versatility means that is by no means certain.
Curbishley said: 'We will have to see where he (Sutton) is playing because obviously he can play at the back as well as up front. But to be fair to Birmingham, they have done a bit of business there when not many clubs have.
'We have all been talking and jostling around but they have actually gone and done something and that will improve them tomorrow.'