Football news

French-born midfielder Amaury Bischoff is on his way to Arsenal after turning down a new contract at Werder Bremen. Bischoff, 21, moved to Bremen in 2005 but has made just one senior appearance for the club against Celta Vigo in the UEFA Cup in 2007.

He was offered a new deal to stay in the Bundesliga, but claims he was unable to turn down the chance to move to Arsenal.

"Bremen was superb, but Arsenal is a huge opportunity for me," Bischoff said.

"Wenger has known me since my time at Strasbourg and believes in my qualities. He trusts me to be in the first team.

"Wenger has not put me under any pressure. He said, 'take all the time you need'."

Huddlestone extends contract

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Tom Huddlestone has signed a new five-year contract until 2013, the Premier League club said.

Huddlestone, 21, joined Tottenham from Derby County in 2005 and made 43 appearances in all competitions last season.

Tottenham also announced the signing of 16-year-old Italian youth international goalkeeper Mirko Ranieri from Perugia.

Bologna secure Zenoni deal

Bologna continued to strengthen their squad by securing the services of Sampdoria defender Cristian Zenoni. The Serie A newcomers are looking to assemble a squad capable of staying afloat in the top flight after winning promotion last season.

After adding Ascoli striker Marco Bernacci and Samp midfielder Sergio Volpi to the ranks, Bologna added another valuable signing.

"Bologna reached an agreement with Sampdoria for the permanent transfer of Zenoni, who has played for the Blucerchiati for the last five seasons," a clubs statement read.

Zenoni has also played for Pistoiese, Atalanta and Juventus. The 31-year-old has two caps for Italy with his latest appearance coming in August 2006 in a friendly against Croatia.

Chelsea teenager joins Pompey on loan

Ben Sahar has left Chelsea on a six-month loan to join Portsmouth. The 18-year-old Israeli striker had loan spells at QPR and Sheffield Wednesday last season but will now get his chance in the top flight.

Sahar has made three appearances for Chelsea and is relishing his move to the FA Cup winners, who will also feature in the UEFA Cup next season.

"I'm ready for the challenge of being part of such a big club, like Portsmouth," he said.

"I want to be part of it and to show that I deserve to be here."

Sahar joined Chelsea in May 2006 from Hapoel Tel Aviv, and the teenager has since become a full Israel international.

Dutch side NEC Nijmegen had also hoped to sign him on loan for next season.

Liverpool move in for Keane

Tottenham striker Robbie Keane is attracting interest from Liverpool. Juande Ramos, the Tottenham manager, is an admirer of Liverpool forward Peter Crouch and Rafael Benitez is happy to make him part of an exchange deal.

Reports said Liverpool would be willing to offer Crouch plus cash to sign Keane, 28. But they fear the London club will demand £20m for the striker, a fee too high for Liverpool to negotiate.

Benitez's interest in Keane is an unexpected development but, with Crouch likely to go and Portsmouth still his most likely destination and Andriy Voronin struggling to make an impact, he is seen as an ideal partner for Spain's Euro 2008 hero Fernando Torres.

Keane is under contract with Spurs until 2010.

Sevilla bid farewell to Alves

Sevilla said goodbye to Brazil full-back Daniel Alves yesterday ahead of the 25-year-old completing his transfer to Primera Liga rivals Barcelona.

"He is one of the most important players in Sevilla's recent history, and maybe even in the entire history of the club," Sevilla president Jose Maria del Nido told a news conference shared with the player.

Alves was a key figure in helping Sevilla to win two UEFA Cups, a King's Cup, a European Super Cup and a Spanish Super Cup in his five-and-a-half seasons with the Andalucians.

Spanish media have reported that he will move on a four-year contract for a fee of around 29.5 million euros, rising to 36 million euros depending on appearances and results.

Mourinho wants Quaresma

Jose Mourinho said he is keen to see Ricardo Quaresma, the Porto forward, playing for Inter next season. The Serie A champions are expected to make three big signings this summer to bolster the squad.

Quaresma was expected to feature on Mourinho's wish-list and it seems that the former Chelsea boss isn't hiding his desire to lure the 24-year-old.

"I admit that I would like to have Quaresma," he said.

"He's a player that I rate very highly and I have no problem with revealing that."

Reports in the press suggest that Porto are asking £30m for Quaresma.