Owen Hargreaves will reportedly complete his move from Bayern Munich to Manchester United today.
The England midfielder agreed personal terms and passed his medical last week and the £17 million deal is expected to be concluded shortly, according to the Manchester Evening News.
"I have been lucky to play in big games and win some wonderful titles," Hargreaves was quoted as saying. "I have won everything a player can in Germany. It is now about experiencing a new league. The prospect of adding a Premiership winner's medal to my collection is incredibly exciting."
Newcastle ponder Beckham loan
Newcastle United are seriously exploring the possibility of agreeing a winter loan move for David Beckham.
The 32-year-old Real Madrid midfielder, who earned a recall to the England squad last weekend, is currently at the centre of speculation over whether or not he could be allowed to return to the Premiership on a temporary basis from LA Galaxy during the American closed season, with Newcastle among a series of clubs to have expressed an interest.
Sources close to the club have privately not dismissed the possibility of a three-month loan move, and new manager Sam Allardyce is an acknowledged admirer of the midfielder.
Heinze linked with Real move
Manchester United left-back Gabriel Heinze is reportedly close to agreeing a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid.
According to The Sun, the Argentine defender flew to the Spanish capital on Saturday for talks with club officials who want him to replace Roberto Carlos. "I am convinced that if a good offer arrives then Manchester United will let me go," Heinze said.
Heinze has also been linked with Juventus but the departure of coach Didier Deschamps from the Turin club could shatter that possibility.
Crouch in Benitez's plans
Peter Crouch is not looking to move on in the summer after manager Rafael Benitez assured him he has a future at Liverpool.
Newcastle United are reported to be willing to sign the lanky England striker if he becomes available but Crouch is satisfied to stay at Liverpool and fight for his place.
"Benitez has told me I'm part of his plans and that's good enough for me," Crouch told Sky Sports News.
"At a club like Liverpool there's going to be competition for places, especially as the manager likes to chop and change."
Ancelotti eyes Italy job
Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said yesterday he would be interested in becoming Italy boss but only after 2010.
Ancelotti, who led his side to their seventh European Cup triumph against Liverpool last week, said he did not want to stay at the San Siro forever. "I don't think I will coach Milan all my life," he told Radio Anch'io. "When this story is finished, I would like to train the national team. But after 2010."
Berger nets new Villa deal
Patrik Berger has expressed delight at earning a new deal with Aston Villa. The Czech midfielder seemed to have fallen by the wayside at Villa and was also loaned out to Stoke.
However, he fought his way back into Martin O'Neill's plans towards the end of the season and did enough to persuade the club to offer him a new one-year contract which Berger will sign in July.
"I'm sure Martin O'Neill will be bringing in some really good players in the summer, so it looks set to be an interesting time," the 33-year-old told the club's official website.
Deschamps: 'A difficult season'
Former Juventus coach Didier Deschamps has broken his silence to explain why he quit the club on the same day as winning the Serie B title.
"I have had a very difficult season despite the excellent results achieved," he told Radio Monte Carlo. "Then I analysed the situation and decided to hand in my resignation on Wednesday evening."
After initially denying that Deschamps had resigned, Juve announced on Saturday they had terminated his contract by mutual consent.
"The problem was not that I wanted to decide on everything, it was a number of different factors," added Deschamps.
De Biasi keen on Torino stay
Torino coach Gianni De Biasi is keen to extend his stay with the Turin outfit. De Biasi helped Torino secure their Serie A status after returning to the club in February to replace Alberto Zaccheroni, who had taken his job just three days before this season started.
"I would like to stay at Torino next season as well," said De Biasi after the 3-0 defeat against Inter on Sunday.
"I am pleased that the squad has put its support and respect behind me."
Club president Urbano Cairo declared that he will take a decision on the coach's future only after meeting him in the next few days.
Crespo hopeful on Inter future
Hernan Crespo believes there is a "99 per cent chance" he will remain with Inter for next season instead of returning to Chelsea.
The Argentine striker is about to complete the first of a two-year loan deal at Inter but the London club have the option of bringing the player back to England. If Chelsea are to exercise that option, however, they must do so by Thursday.
"It is not official yet but there is a 99 per cent chance that I will remain at Inter," the 31-year-old Crespo told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"I want to thank Chelsea and my agent, who has done a miracle job. It is a present that has no price."