Beattie seals Blades' switch

Sheffield United have completed the signing of Everton striker James Beattie for £4 million and also concluded a deal for Sydney FC's Australian international David Carney.

Both players were paraded on the Bramall Lane pitch before the friendly against Nottingham Forest yesterday.

Carney, a 23-year-old midfielder, left a good impression on manager Bryan Robson with his performances in the recent Asian Cup and is believed to have signed a three-year contract.

Koller ponders Monaco exit

Czech international striker Jan Koller is considering quitting French first division club Monaco after being excluded from the first team, the Czech daily Sport reported yesterday.

"I am very disappointed. I have thought about leaving," the giant striker told the paper. "If the situation stays the same in the long term then I will have to look around for something different. But I will give it a try," he said of his substitute status.

Koller said Monaco apparently only want to play with one striker up front and French striker Frederic Piquionne is their preferred option.

Tevez targets long United stay

Carlos Tevez hopes to stay with Manchester United "for a long time to come", Kia Joorabchian, the striker's representative, has revealed.

Although the final paperwork on Tevez's United contract has yet to be finalised, the Argentine has already passed his medical and trained with his new team-mates after West Ham agreed a £2 million settlement for the 23-year-old to leave the club.

Joorabchian told Sky Sports News: "Tevez is absolutely thrilled now to join Man. United and hopes that will be his club for a long time to come."

Arsenal linked with Diarra move

Arsenal are said to be mulling over a £2 million bid for unsettled Chelsea midfielder Lassana Diarra.

Diarra is reportedly heading for the Stamford Bridge exit door after rejecting the offer of a new three-year Blues deal.

The tough-tackling 22-year-old has not received assurances on the amount of first-team football he will get under Jose Mourinho next season.

But Chelsea assistant manager Steve Clarke is keen to keep Diarra, saying: "If Lassana doesn't think he's getting a fair chance, then I would need to disagree with him. You wouldn't want anyone to go to your local rivals."

Former ref Poll hits out at Terry

Former referee Graham Poll believes John Terry should be removed as England captain unless the defender shows more respect to officials.

Poll, who retired from the game at the end of last season, had a run-in with Terry when he sent off the Chelsea defender at Tottenham last year.

In an interview with the Daily Mail to coincide with the serialisation of his autobiography 'Seeing Red', Poll said: "I don't think John Terry should be the England captain.

"Terry had his version of events (on his sending-off against Tottenham) proven false and then was not big enough to apologise."

Cicinho set for Roma U-turn?

Cicinho is reportedly prepared to discuss a move to Roma after another split with Real Madrid.

The Brazilian snubbed an offer to join the Serie A side last week, claiming he wanted to fight for his place with the Spanish champions. However, in Friday's 5-2 friendly win over Lok. Moscow, there was no sign of the winger.

Newspaper Il Romanista claimed yesterday that Cicinho has finally realised he will only get regular first-team football with the Giallorossi.

Catania face 'bullying' claims

Catania players Armando Pantanelli, Mattia Biso and Gianluca Falsini are suing the club for "bullying" and discrimination.

The trio have been omitted from the squad while awaiting transfer, but this has also seen them moved to a different hotel to the rest of the team.

They are also being forced to train at a different time of day to the rest of the team, all of which constitutes "bullying and discrimination" according to their lawyer Mattia Grassiani.

Leonardo hails super Pato

Leonardo masterminded the deal for Kaka and has done the same for Alexandre Pato, revealing what the new Milan sensation can achieve.

The Rossoneri beat competition from Real Madrid, Chelsea and rivals Inter to sign the Brazilian U-20 World Cup star from Internacional.

"I am happy, as I think this is a signing that can give everyone a lot of joy," Leonardo said.

Although he will not be able to take part in official games until January, Pato can play in friendly games from September 3 when he turns 18 due to Italian labour laws.

Bresciano on way to Man. City

Palermo coach Stefano Colantuono is resigned to losing Mark Bresciano to Manchester City.

The midfielder has recently been playing for Australia in the Asian Cup, but his current club expect him to move to the Premier League.

"His sale is almost certain, but I am not worried," Colantuono told the Italian media. "He is a good player, but I only want determined and motivated men who are eager to be part of this project."