Hoddle makes Poyet Spurs' latest addition

Tottenham have signed Gustavo Poyet from Chelsea on a three-year contract.

The midfielder has joined for a fee of around £2.25m and becomes Glenn Hoddle's second signing at White Hart Lane, following the arrival of Teddy Sheringham from Manchester United. Poyet joined Chelsea from Real Zaragoza on a free transfer in 1997, but handed in a transfer request in May after becoming frustrated at being unable to hold down a regular first-team place under manager Claudio Ranieri.

"I had him in mind but I didn't think he would be available," Hoddle said. "When I heard he was, I was straight in. He is a winner."

Poyet remained diplomatic about his time at Stamford Bridge, saying: "I felt it was the moment to leave ­ and I prefer to leave it in the past. It was the right moment to leave and stay friends."

Manchester United's hopes of signing the Frenchman Lilian Thuram may have been given a boost by racist supporters of Lazio. Parma had agreed a £27m deal for Thuram to move to Lazio at the weekend, but the player may snub the club after protests against the signing by some of their racist fans, who are also enraged that Pavel Nedved may be sold to Juventus to finance the deal. "It is up to the player, everything else is decided," Lazio's director of sport, Nello Governato, said. "We can't do anything about it if he does not want to join us."

The former Barcelona coach Johan Cruyff has ruled out succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford, saying: "I am not interested. I'm doing other things than being a coach." The former United player Eric Cantona, who is scheduled to rejoin the club as a youth coach, had said that Cruyff should succeed Ferguson when the latter steps down at the end of next season.

Greece have played down reports linking them with a move for Terry Venables. The former England and Australia coach was reported to be considering taking over the Greek national team, who lost to England in a World Cup qualifier in Athens on Wednesday. However, Pano Korkodilos, a spokesman for the Greek team, said: "I don't know anything about that report and if there was an approach it's my job to know."

John Arne Riise's proposed transfer from Monaco to Fulham has moved a step closer after the Norwegian midfielder agreed personal terms with the Cottagers. The French club have already accepted an offer from the Premiership newcomers.

Leading referees are set to work full-time for a separate company next season as part of a drive to improve standards. The new company, currently called Refco, is reportedly set to offer the top 24 officials in England a salary of up to £60,000 ­ partly funded by a shirt sponsorship deal. Refco is set to replace the system of referees' assessors at matches by a more detailed post-match video analysis. Referees will also be expected to meet regularly for training sessions, backed up by fitness tests.

Preston North End are today set to make an announcement on the future of their manager David Moyes. The club are keen for him to sign a new contract.

Paul Jewell is in talks with Wigan Athletic about becoming their new manager. Jewell, who made his name as a player with the Latics, could be in charge this week as owner Dave Whelan looks for an experienced man at the helm.

The Blackpool manager Steve McMahon is trying to sign the Wolves goalkeeper Mike Stowell on a free transfer.