Football news

Portsmouth signed Steve Finnan on a free transfer yesterday after the former Liverpool defender terminated his contract with Espanyol.

Republic of Ireland right-back Finnan struggled to settle in Spain and has been keen to return to the Premier League for some time. Pompey want Finnan to fill the void created by England defender Glen Johnson's move to Liverpool.

Portsmouth manager Paul Hart told the club's website: "It whetted my appetite to think that we could get a player of Steve's calibre here."

Portsmouth also confirmed that South Africa midfielder Aaron Mokoena has now officially moved to Fratton Park after agreeing a free transfer from Blackburn several weeks ago.

Panucci leaves Roma for Parma

Former Italy defender Christian Panucci has signed for promoted Serie A side Parma after his contract ran out at Roma, his new club said yesterday.

"Parma announce that we have reached an agreement with defender Christian Panucci," the club said without giving details of the contract.

The 36-year-old former Milan player left Roma after eight years having fallen out with coach Luciano Spalletti last season.

Parma have also signed Bulgaria international Valeri Bojinov from Manchester City on a one-year loan deal.

Ribery out of France qualifier

Franck Ribery will not be fit enough to play for France in this month's World Cup qualifier against the Faroe Islands in Torshavn, the forward was quoted as saying in the French media.

The Bayern Munich player, who is recovering from a left-knee injury, added that he would also not be available for the club's first Bundesliga match of the season at Hoffenheim on August 8.

"I'm much better and I've started running again but I've received the go-ahead from doctors to work with the (Bayern) group only from next Wednesday," Ribery told L'Equipe.

"The Bundesliga start at Hoffenheim will come too quickly. It is obvious that for the Faroes match (on Aug. 12), it will be too tight."

39th game plan on hold

English Premier League chief Richard Scudamore admitted yesterday his plan for a controversial 39th game to be played by top clubs at overseas venues has been "put on the back burner".

Scudamore unveiled his idea in February last year but it was badly received then and has not got gained much support since, with Man. United chief executive David Gill the latest to shoot it down.

"In some ways (the 39th game) is further away now than perhaps it's ever been," Scudamore said.

"We won't come back to look at anything strategically again for the 39th game before mid-2010 and we'll work on it again."

Fergie tips Berbatov for leading role

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson admits he struggled to get the best out of Dimitar Berbatov last season but he expects the Bulgaria striker to shine this year.

Berbatov failed to convince during his first season at Old Trafford following a £30 million move from Tottenham last September.

But the former Bayer Leverkusen star has looked more dynamic during pre-season.

"I expected the form we've seen from Berbatov in pre-season so far," Ferguson said.

"Last season was a strange one for him and maybe we didn't use him in the right way.

"We know exactly how to use him now - further up the pitch, playing as a centre-forward. He will improve and I think he will have a terrific season."

Tranmere up for sale... on eBay

Fans of English third division club Tranmere Rovers were bemused to find their club up for sale on popular online shopping and auction site eBay this week - a move prompting an angry reaction from owner Peter Johnson.

Johnson appointed American firm Dornoch Capital earlier this year to find a buyer for the club but said yesterday he was shocked to discover it had been listed on the website for £6 million.

"This is not a second-hand bike we're selling," Johnson said. An official statement on the club's website said Johnson had told Dornoch to withdraw the advert immediately.

Last month Tranmere appointed former England winger John Barnes as manager.

Wenger still on Chamakh's trail

Arsene Wenger looks set to increase his efforts to sign Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh in a bid to bolster the Arsenal attack.

The Gunners boss has long been monitoring the 25-year-old Morocco international, who could be available for around £12 million, and last month admitted he would be keen to push through a deal should Emmanuel Adebayor leave.

With the Togo forward now, along with fellow former Arsenal defender Kolo Toure, having joined Manchester City, Wenger is expected to make a formal bid for Chamakh.

Bordeaux president Jean-Louis Triaud told L'Equipe: "Wenger actually phoned me. He said to me that he had a list of strikers and that Marouane was on it."