Leeds ready to reunite Barmby and Venables
Leeds United have agreed a £2.75m fee with Liverpool for Nick Barmby. The former Everton and England midfielder was due to travel to Leeds for talks at Elland Road last night and will have a medical today. Venables knows Barmby well from his Tottenham and England days and the 28-year-old will be his first signing.
The Leeds chairman, Peter Ridsdale, hinted that Barmby's arrival was linked to Harry Kewell's new role. He said: "Nick is a player Terry admires and wants. He has been playing Harry Kewell in a different position and that has created an imbalance – hopefully Nick will help redress that."
Another Leeds appointment is Max Clifford, who previously worked for Fulham, to improve their public relations. Clifford will also work with Ridsdale but his appointment does not affect other jobs at the club.
Manchester United are being offered Lazio's left-sided player Juan Pablo Sorin for nothing. The Rome club have sent agents to England to try to broker a deal and save them the embarrassment of being taken to the world game's governing body, Fifa, by United over their failure to pay £10m still owed for Jaap Stam.
Alex Ferguson has been told he can sign the versatile Argentinian, who has just joined Lazio from Corinthians. The drawback is that Sorin's best position is wing-back, a role redundant in Ferguson's current tactics.
The England midfielder Paul Scholes will not require surgery on the knee injury sustained against Ajax on Friday. United had feared he would need an exploratory operation.
Everton's captain, Duncan Ferguson, has had injections in a final attempt to be ready for the start of the season. Ferguson's problems have been diagnosed as inflammation at the top of his hamstrings.
Portsmouth unveiled Paul Merson yesterday, signed on a free transfer. The 34-year-old former England player, on the fringes of the Villa squad, has agreed to a pay cut in his search for first team football.
Paul Ince has spoken of his one-year deal with Wolves as a "big chance" to end his career on a high. The 34-year-old said he had considered retirement after his Middlesbrough contract expired at the end of last season, but yesterday said: "This is a big chance for me. I didn't think I'd play again but this is it."
Also unveiled yesterday was Juninho, Middlesbrough's third new signing in two days after George Boateng and Geremi.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments