Leeds give Kewell permission to talk Highbury terms

Harry Kewell has been cleared by Leeds United to talk to Arsenal about a possible move to Highbury this week.

The Australian has refused to commit to a new deal at Elland Road and the Yorkshire club are looking to sell Kewell who only has a year left on his contract. The Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger is keen to sign Kewell and may offer the England Under-21 player, Jermaine Pennant, plus £4m to tempt Leeds. However, Kewell must first agree terms with Arsenal.

The Leeds chairman, Professor John McKenzie, said: 'The main thing now is what Harry wants to do. If he wants Champions' League football then he's aware of this official interest from Arsenal and he'll no doubt pursue that...We've done all we can for Harry and we've made what we all consider to be a very good offer. If Harry decides that offer's not good enough and he doesn't want to play for Leeds then that's his choice."

Arsenal's search for a goalkeeper, meanwhile, appeared to take a turn for the worse when Milan claimed to have turned down a substantial offer from the Gunners for Christian Abbiati. Abbiati lost his first-team place last season to Dida but the European champions have made it clear he remains a part of their plans.

The club issued a statement which read: "AC Milan and Christian Abbiati have by common consent refused a mega-offer from Arsenal."

Philippe Mexes, another Arsenal target, is going to an industrial tribunal in order to resolve the contract dispute he believes is keeping him at Auxerre against his will.

The French international defender, who has indicated he would like to join Arsenal, claims Auxerre have not respected the contract, a deal which he now hopes to terminate as well as seeking compensation.

The 21-year-old signed his first professional contract with Auxerre in June 2000, agreeing a five-year deal at the time. In December 2002 he agreed a one-year extension until 2006 but under new Fifa rules he will be entitled to move in 2003 because he will have played for three years as a professional.

It was only after they agreed an extension last December that Auxerre realised Mexes could still leave in 2003 and the club then attempted to back track on the new terms. The situation has remained deadlocked for six months and Mexes has forced the issue by taking the club to court for not respecting the 2002 deal.

Richard Wright will miss the start of next season at Everton after damaging his shoulder when he fell out of his loft at home. The goalkeeper was doing some DIY at his Suffolk home when he toppled and crashed to the floor.

The former Arsenal goalkeeper landed on his shoulder, suffering ligament damage and a minor fracture. He is expected to be out of action for at least two months.

Charlton Athletic signed Matt Holland from Ipswich Town for £750,000 yesterday. The Republic of Ireland midfielder has signed a four-year contract. The fee could rise to £900,000, with three further installments of £50,000 payable over the next three seasons dependent on Charlton retaining their Premiership status.

Holland, a key figure in Ireland's 2002 World Cup finals campaign, cost Ipswich £800,000 when he joined from Bournemouth in 1997.

Portsmouth, who hoped to sign Holland, found some compensation yesterday by agreeing a fee with the administrators of Wimbledon for the promising midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker.

Reo-Coker only made his first-team debut 13 months ago but was almost an ever-present last season, making 37 appearances.