Football news

Cristiano Ronaldo may be the world's most expensive footballer, but Barcelona star Lionel Messi outshines him in terms of media value, at least according to a team of Spanish researchers.

The team from the University of Navarra said the Argentine had ousted the Portuguese striker as the player with the highest profile last season.

However, Ronaldo remains the most expensive player, with the researchers valuing him at €82 million, less than the world record €93 million Real Madrid paid Manchester United for him this month.

Messi was next at 80 million, followed by Liverpool's Spanish striker Fernando Torres at 67 million.

The study cited Barcelona's Euro-pean Champions League victory, and Messi's goal in the final, for the Argentine's leap to number one.

West Ham sign Jimenez from Inter

West Ham have agreed to sign Chile forward Luis Jimenez from Inter on a season-long loan.

"I am very happy, very excited and very determined to show what I can do," Jimenez said.

The 25-year-old, who has scored twice for his country in 20 appearances, will join West Ham on July 1 providing he passes a medical.

Jimenez's loan move could eventually become permanent. He is the club's first signing of the close-season.

City's Hart loaned to Birmingham

Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart has joined newly promoted Premier League club Birmingham City on a season-long loan.

"I know he will relish the prospect of regular Premier League action, which is vital at this stage in his career," Manchester City manager Mark Hughes said.

The England under-21 player was the club's first choice before the arrival of Ireland international Shay Given last season and had fallen further down the pecking order with the signing of Stuart Taylor from Aston Villa on Tuesday.

UAE billionaire closes on Pompey deal

Abu Dhabi billionaire Sulaiman al-Fahim plans to complete a deal to buy Portsmouth within two weeks, Arabian Business reported.

Al-Fahim will speak to fans at the Portsmouth Football Supporters Club on July 11 about his plans for the team, the Dubai-based magazine reported.

Fahim, a board member of the Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment which bought Manchester City last year, told Reuters negotiations for Portsmouth were still "in process" and that he hoped to conclude the deal in July.

Soccer, viewed as a high profile and glamorous industry, is being targeted for investment by Gulf Arab firms as Western investors tighten their belts in the global economic slowdown.

Deschamps to stay at Marseille

Marseille coach Didier Deschamps said he would stay at the French first division club which has been rocked by a management upheaval.

The 41-year-old former France captain insisted he had confidence in the new management.

"I signed here as a coach, and at no time did I ever ask for more from anybody. Now all I want to do is get on with the job and get the most out of the squad," said Deschamps.

Deschamps was hired at the end of last season by then club president Pape Diouf to replace Belgian coach Eric Gerets.

But when Diouf suddenly quit the club last week, following a row with billionaire owner Pierre Henri-Dreyfus, Deschamps voiced doubts about his future at the Stade Velodrome.

Denilson leaves after half-a-game

After playing half-a-game with Vietnam's Hai Phong Cement FC, former Brazil international Denilson has shocked fans by quitting the team because of injuries, the Vietnam Football Federation said.

Denilson, once the world's most expensive player, scored a goal from a free-kick in the first minutes of his only V-League appearance on Sunday to help Hai Phong Cement defeat former champions Hoang Anh Gia Lai 3-1 and snap a losing streak.

He sat out the second half when the coach recognised that a right leg injury was holding him back, the Vietnam News reported.

The VFF said he had quit the team yesterday and was planning to leave the country.

Chelsea snap up striker Sturridge

Promising English striker Daniel Sturridge is to sign for Chelsea from their English Premier League rivals Manchester City it was announced yesterday.

The 19-year-old's present contract at City was due to terminate at the end of June and he has turned down the offer of a new one from the big-spending club.

The ultimate transfer fee for him will be decided by a tribunal with the two clubs unable to agree on a deal.

Chelsea have to pay a transfer fee as Sturridge is under-24 and as a result cannot move for nothing under the Bosman ruling.

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes had been earnest in his efforts to keep Sturridge but was reluctant to agree to his wage demands.