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Newcastle have revealed that they snapped up Damien Duff from Chelsea for 5 million.

The winger was deemed surplus to requirements by Blues chief Jose Mourinho and was linked with Newcastle, Tottenham and Liverpool.

It had been widely reported that a fee of 10 million would prise him away from Stamford Bridge, but Newcastle confirmed in a statement to the Stock Exchange that they had landed a player who cost Chelsea 17 million when they signed him from Blackburn for &pound 5 million.

"The directors of Newcastle United PLC are pleased to announce that Damien Duff passed his medical and his transfer from Chelsea has been completed for a fee of £5 million," read the statement.

"The player has agreed personal terms and signed a five-year contract ending in June 2011."

Newcastle are set to unveil Duff at a press conference at 2pm on Monday and skysports.com will provide you with all the reaction from St James' Park.

http://home.skysports.com/list.a ... ;pound;5m+Duff+deal

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Portsmouth have signed former Blackburn and Wigan midfielder David Thompson on a free transfer.

The 28-year-old was released by The Latics at the end of last season after a short stint at The JJB stadium.

Thompson only joined Wigan in January but injuries restricted him to just seven starts for Paul Jewell's men and he was allowed to leave the club during the summer.

Prior to his switch to Wigan, Thompson had enjoyed a relatively successful spell with Blackburn Rovers which also saw him called up to the England squad on two occasions.

The former Liverpool trainee becomes Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp's second signing of the summer following the loan signing of Glen Johnson last month.

Thompson is unlikely to be the last new face at Fratton Park this summer as Redknapp searches vigorously for quality additions ahead of the new Premiership campaign.

Peruvian Juan Vargas and Benfica midfielder Manuel Fernandes have both been strongly linked with a move to the South Coast during the summer.

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Kuyt's Liverpool transfer imminent

Feyenoord striker Dirk Kuyt appears to have secured his dream move to Liverpool and could be in the squad for next Saturday's match against Sheffield United, subject to clearance.

As previously reported by KOPTALK, a fee was agreed earlier in the week leaving both clubs to now try and come to an agreement on how it would be structured.

It was at this stage that the proposed purchase of Daniel Alves collapsed. The fee was agreed but how it would be paid caused the problems.

Hopefully we won't see a repeat of that farce. Early indications are that everything is falling into place nicely.

Although the transfer window doesn't close until August 31st, Rafa has requested that the club pull out all the stops to get Kuyt on board as soon as possible.

There had been suggestions that Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry was going to try and hold out until the end of the the month in the hope of securing a better deal but Rafa would like the player to be available for selection against Sheffield United on the 19th August or the following match against West Ham United on the 26th.

A source at the club said: "Rafa wants Dirk in and available for selection for Sheffield.

"If a deal isn't in place until later in the week, he could miss the game as he won't have had much time to prepare but he could at least be ready for the visit of West Ham.

"Arrangements are in place to conduct a medical. We're just waiting for Rick [Parry] to provide us with an update. That may not be possible until Monday."

The Dutch striker is in England for today's friendly between Reading and Feyenoord.

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Real Betis winger Israel Bascon has spent the last week on trial at Chelsea.

The English champions have long been linked with a move for Betis' star man Joaquin, but now they may make a move for his understudy.

The 19-year-old, who featured several times for Betis' first team last season, has been told by coach Javier Irureta that he is not part of his plans.

"He needs to play because he is young," said Irureta.

"Another thing is the level in which he can play, what is clear is that here we have Joaquin and we cannot offer him any playing time."

A transfer to Real Madrid's second team - Castilla - was lined up after the two clubs agreed a deal, but that move failed to materialise.

He instead was handed a trial by Chelsea and has been trying to impress this week.

Israel, as he is known, is hoping he will be offered a deal next week.

"The experience is incredible because there are players from so many countries," said the young winger.

"I do not know what will happen, but I hope to stay at Chelsea. It is a big club and it would be perfect."

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United target set to go on the market Aug 12 2006

Newcastle target Obafemi Martins will seek urgent talks with Inter Milan officials this weekend after the arrival of Zlatan Ibrahimovic at the San Siro cast fresh doubt on the striker's Serie A future.

A player who has risen to the top of Glenn Roeder's wanted list in recent days appears to be the odd man out at Inter after the Swedish international joined from Juventus in a £17m deal and having already asked to leave the club once this week, Martins will again spell out his concerns to Massimo Moratti. The club's president is reluctant to sanction the Nigerian's sale but, having signed both Ibrahimovic and Hernan Crespo this summer, Moratti knows a player foreseeing a future on the substitutes' bench is determined to leave.

United and Valencia head a queue of clubs chasing the 21-year-old (pictured right) and, with Martins agitating to leave, a significant bid would be difficult to turn down.

Roeder has spent all summer attempting to strengthen his strike force and, with his team's first Premiership fixture of the new campaign just seven days away, the Magpies boss is determined to press home his interest.

The striker's agent has claimed United have already made an offer and Newcastle will be keen to get an answer as quickly as possible.The striker's agent has claimed United have already made an offer and Newcastle will be keen to get an answer as quickly as possible.


"It's not going to be easy to get a player of Martins' quality to Newcastle but I do like him and I don't mind saying that," said the United boss last night. "He's a player I admire and we're looking at the situation at Inter Milan very closely."


Although Roeder's need for striking reinforcements is the greatest, the next acquisition to his first-team squad is expected to be a midfield player.


Thomas Gravesen's representatives have held talks with United officials and, although Middlesbrough and Everton are among a clutch of clubs pursuing the Real Madrid schemer, he is expected to become a Newcastle player at the start of next week.homas Gravesen's representatives have held talks with United officials and, although Middlesbrough and Everton are among a clutch of clubs pursuing the Real Madrid schemer, he is expected to become a Newcastle player at the start of next week.


Sources in Denmark last night claimed that St James's Park is the player's preferred destination and that initial talks have been positive.

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City land Isaksson

Manchester City have signed Swedish international goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson from Rennes.

City have beaten off strong interest from Charlton to land the 24-year-old - who signed a three-year deal at Eastlands on Saturday.

Isaksson comes as a direct replacement for David James - who has sealed his move to Portsmouth.

The Swede revealed how much of a bearing Stuart Pearce had on him choosing City.

"Pearce believes in me, that feels very good," Isaksson told Sportbladet.

"My ambition is still to play for one of the absolutely best clubs, but, right now, it feels very good.

"The opponents will be substantially better than in the French league. It's more physical in the Premier League.

"The keepers are not as protected as in other leagues, you need to be aware of that."

Rennes boss Pierre Dreossi confirmed he is planning to use youngster Simon Pouplin as his new first choice, although he was also considering a move for Christophe Revault.

"Christophe Revault could be a solution. But the keeper we will hire will be here to help Simon Pouplin, the number 1," said Dreossi.

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Middlesbrough have completed the signings of Jonathan Woodgate and Robert Huth.

Skysports.com revealed on Tuesday that Boro had fought off major competition to land the central defensive pair and now the club have confirmed their captures.

Woodgate has penned a year-long loan from Spanish giants Real Madrid with an option for a permanent transfer next summer, while Boro have paid Chelsea £6 million for Huth.

The German, who failed a medical earlier this summer, has penned a five-year contract at The Riverside. Boro boss Gareth Southgate is delighted to have landed both central defenders.

"We have added two international defenders to our squad in one afternoon. That's a significant coup for Middlesbrough and a big boost for everyone at the club," said Southgate.

"Both players feel they have a point to prove - and the great thing is that they want to do that with Middlesbrough. I'm absolutely delighted."

To go with the summer capture of Julio Arca, and next month's likely arrival of Abel Xavier - once his drug ban is finished - Boro are likely to be fielding a completely new look back-four in the not too distant future.

Meanwhile, Boro are also closing on a move for Charlton forward Jason Euell - another story brought to you first by skysports.com.

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Portsmouth have completed the loan signing of young Portugal international Manuel Fernandes with a view to a permanent move.

Harry Redknapp has been tracking the midfielder across the duration of the summer and originally set up a £10 million deal before Fernandes failed a medical at Fratton Park due to a groin injury.

After continuing to monitor his progress for five weeks the South Coast side have now moved to bring the 20-year-old on loan from Benfica just a day before the close of the transfer deadline.

Althuogh doubts persist over his fitness much will be expected of Fernandes who has played in the UEFA Champions League with his Portuguese employers and has been likened to Chelsea star Claude Makelele for his style of play.

Fernandes is the third loan star to move to Fratton Park over the summer along with Glen Johnson and Ognjen Koroman, whilst Harry Redknapp has also snapped up David James, Sol Campbell, Nwankwo Kanu and David Thompson.

Pompey are also considering moves for a number of other players including Manchester City striker Andy Cole before the transfer window closes on Thursday.

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Thomas Gravesen has completed his move from Real Madrid to Celtic.

The Bhoys have landed the Dane after beating off strong competition from a number of Premiership clubs.

The announcement of Gravesen's signature comes just hours after Celtic sold Stilian Petrov to Aston Villa.

Gravesen, 30, had his medical in Glasgow on Tuesday and the deal has now been sealed after personal terms were finalised.

The former Everton man has penned a three-year deal at Parkhead with the option for another season.

"I am delighted to have joined Celtic, one of the biggest clubs in the world," Gravesen told the club's website.

"When I was made aware of Celtic’s interest, naturally, I was very keen to talk to the club and now having spoken to the manager, the chief executive and other people at the club, I am very excited about this move.

"I am eager now to get going and do all I can for Celtic. I look forward to meeting up with my new team-mates next week.

"The team did brilliantly last season to win the Championship and together we will be trying to retain the title and do as well as we can in the Champions League.

"I know other Danish players who have had the opportunity to play with Celtic and they have nothing but great things to say about the club. I have also visited Celtic Park for matches, where the atmosphere is tremendous and I am very much looking forward to playing there.

"I am aware of Celtic’s magnificent support and I will be doing all I can to bring as much success as possible to the club, for the fans to enjoy."

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan was delighted to have sealed Gravesen's capture.

"Thomas has shown great desire to play for Celtic and it is very clear that he is looking forward to joining the club," said Strachan.

"He is a player with great ability, experience and character — qualities which could enhance any team.

"We are delighted to have secured his signing and we hope he will be a valuable addition to our squad."

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IT PASSED MEDICAL EXAMINATION AND IT SIGNED BY THREE SEASONS Sorin already is of Hamburg

Juan Pablo Sorin already is player of Hamburg after passing pertinent the medical examination and signing a contract of three years. The German set paid to the Villarreal near 3 million euros by the crossing of the Argentinean. The technician of the Germanic equipment, Thomas Doll, spoke on the arrival of lateral and its experience in Liga de Campeones: “Sorin can help us with the experiences that already de has had in Liga Campeones”.