Football: Fowler staying at Liverpool

ROBBIE FOWLER has pledged to stay at Liverpool - ending the chance of a transfer to Manchester United or Arsenal.

Fowler met the Liverpool manager, Gerard Houllier, for a discussion on his future yesterday and has agreed to see out his contract at Anfield. The striker has been at the centre of intense speculation over the past few weeks, with both the Old Trafford club and the Gunners interested after reports that he may be on the move.

"I've only just signed a long-term contract and I want to see that through," Fowler said. "I'm very happy here and want everyone, especially the fans, to know that."

Houllier said: "Robbie is one of the top strikers in Europe and I'm delighted he is staying. He will play a huge part in our plans."

Peter Schmeichel will not be moving to the Italian club, Roma, as their new coach, Fabio Capello, is not keen on the Manchester United and Denmark goalkeeper, who is available on a free transfer. Three French clubs, Bordeaux, Paris St-Germain and Rennes, have now joined the chase, as have the Italian side Udinese.

Tottenham have targeted Chris Perry to partner Sol Campbell in the heart of their defence next season. The Wimbledon stopper is poised to sign for Spurs in a deal worth pounds 5.5m when he returns from his honeymoon in a fortnight.

Birmingham City's chairman, David Gold, has claimed that the Manchester United striker Teddy Sheringham and West Ham's Ian Wright are on their transfer shopping list. "There is nothing wrong with being ambitious," he said.

Jonathon Woodgate, the Leeds United centre-half who made his debut for England in Bulgaria on Wednesday, has signed a lucrative four-year contract at the Elland Road club. Leeds have also raised their offer for the Charlton Athletic right-back Danny Mills, an England squad member, to the pounds 3m mark.

Newcastle United's Greek defender, Nikos Dabizas, is poised for a return to his former club, Olympiakos, but two deals that have fallen through are Portsmouth's move for Ajax's former Manchester City midfielder Georgi Kinkladze and Bournemouth's bid for the Wolves defender Keith Curle.

John Rudge, sacked after 15 years as Port Vale manager in January when he still had 18 months left on his contract, has won pounds 325,000 in compensation from the club after the first sitting of the Football League appeals panel ruled in his favour yesterday. "I would have settled for less out of court," he said. "I never had a word of thanks from the club when I left."