Football news

Manchester United have agreed to sign Partizan Belgrade midfield duo Zoran Tosic and Adem Ljajic, the Premier League champions said yesterday.

Tosic, 21 and a Serbia international, will sign with immediate effect while an agreement is in place for 17-year-old Ljajic, who had a trial at United last year, to remain with Partizan for the rest of 2009.

No transfer fees were given but British media had speculated that United would pay a combined fee of around £16 million ($23.31 million).

Given 'compelled' to review his position

Shay Given is pondering his Newcastle future after reaching the "lowest point of his football career" during last Sunday's 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Liverpool, the player's lawyer has claimed.

"Shay is very despondent following the very poor performance of the team against Liverpool last weekend," Michael Kennedy, Given's lawyer, said in a statement.

"It was the lowest point of his football career.

"Having served the club loyally for over 11 years, Shay feels compelled to consider his position in the light of the interest being expressed in him by Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham."

Valencia ready to part with Villa

Valencia have indicated that a mega-offer from Manchester City may tempt them to part with striker David Villa. The Primera Liga team are reluctant to let their star striker go, but accept that every player has his price.

"Whatever offer comes in we will have to study it although the idea is not to have to sell David Villa or David Silva," said Valencia's vice-president Fernando Gomez Colomer.

"It would have to be an exorbitant offer."

Valencia may ultimately decide to cash in on their prized assets as they look to improve their financial situation.

Allardyce turns sights on familiar faces

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce is looking to recruit some familiar faces during this month's transfer window.

The former Bolton and Newcastle coach acknowledged that new signings are essential to Rovers' cause of moving out of the relegation zone, and has hinted that he may turn to players he has worked with in the past in an effort to bolster his squad.

Senegalese striker El Hadji Diouf is struggling at Sunderland and has been linked with a reunion with his former Bolton mentor while unsettled Manchester City defender Tal Ben Haim is also believed to be on Allardyce's list.

"If you've worked with a player before you know what they can do," said Allardyce.

"The most important thing is coping with the pressures in this league over a season.

"Players like them (Diouf and Ben Haim) are very experienced."

Lyon target Roma's Perrotta

Roma midfielder Simone Perrotta could join French club Lyon as he continues to stall over a contract renewal.

Perrotta's versatility has attracted the attention of Lyon coach Claude Puel who wants to add new players to his squad this month.

"We are waiting for news from Roma regarding Perrotta's contract situation," agent Beppe Bozzo told Spanish newspaper AS.

"But if the date that we agreed with the club passes without any developments then we will have to see what happens."

Italian international Perrotta moved to Roma from Chievo in 2004 and has played 137 games for the Giallorossi. His contract expires in 2010.

Bridge set for Man. City move

Chelsea have given England defender Wayne Bridge permission to begin transfer negotiations with Premier League rivals Manchester City.

"Chelsea will listen to offers, but any offer will have to be very high," coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said.

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes said yesterday the club had agreed an undisclosed fee with Chelsea for Bridge.

The 28-year-old signed a new four-year extension to his Chelsea contract in July 2008, but has fallen down the pecking order since the arrival of Scolari, who has opted to use Juliano Belletti as deputy for Ashley Cole at left-back.

Ranieri approves approach for Diego

Juventus coach Claudio Ranieri has given the club directors his go-ahead for an official bid for Werder Bremen midfielder Diego, reports in Italy claimed yesterday.

Brazilian ace Diego has long been a target for the Bianconeri directors and provisional enquiries have been made.

However, there had been suggestions that Ranieri had his doubts about the move but La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Ranieri is now prepared to change his tactical formation to accommodate Diego whose contract with Werder Bremen runs out in 2011.

Juve's sporting director Alessio Secco is said to be in Bremen to agree a contract and a fee, which is expected to be under £18m.