Pennant: Liverpool signed Birmingham City winger Jermaine Pennant yesterday. The 23-year-old signed a four-year contract after passing a medical. Liverpool did not disclose the fee although media reports put it at more than £6.5 million. Birmingham rejected an initial offer from Liverpool for the former Arsenal player earlier this week.
Villa: Aston Villa's share price rose almost eight per cent yesterday following reports that a consortium led by businessman Michael Neville had made a £64 million bid to buy the club. Villa confirmed last week following the departure of manager David O'Leary, that the club had been approached by several other parties interesting in buying chairman Doug Ellis's controlling share. Former Celtic boss Martin O'Neill is the current favourite to take the post.
Arca: Middlesbrough signed Argentine midfielder Julio Arca from north-east rivals Sunderland yesterday for £1.75 million. Arca, 25, spent five seasons at the Stadium of Light after moving from Argentinos Juniors in his homeland. He had one year left on his deal but exercised a right in his contract to speak to a Premier League side after Sunderland were relegated from the top flight last season.
Fortune: Bolton Wanderers signed South African midfielder Quinton Fortune from Manchester United on a one-year deal yesterday. The 29-year-old was released from Manchester United in June after seven seasons at Old Trafford, although he did not play at all last season because of a knee injury. Fortune joined United in 1999 for £1.5 million after spells in Spain with Real Mallorca and Atletico Madrid.
Ljungberg: Arsenal midfielder Freddie Ljungberg seems set to miss the start of the season with an ankle injury. Arsenal play the first leg of their Champions League qualifier on August 8 or 9 then start their league season at home to Aston Villa on August 19.
Tevez: Fans of Brazilian champions Corinthians have told forward Carlos Tevez to apologise for gesturing to the crowd to be quiet during a game at the weekend. A leader of the notorious supporters' group Gavioes da Fiel (Hawks of the Faithful) warned that the Argentine international could face an orchestrated campaign against him if he does not say sorry. Tevez scored the equaliser as Corinthians, bottom of the table after a disastrous slump in form, drew 2-2 at home to Fortaleza.
Basile: Boca Juniors want coach Alfio Basile, who is in line to take over Argentina's national side, to stay at the club until the end of the year. The Argentine FA offered the job to Basile last week after Jose Pekerman, who steered them to the quarter-finals at the World Cup, confirmed he was stepping down. Basile has not yet replied to the AFA's offer.
Friendly: Celtic vs Manchester United 0-3 (Scholes 2, Evans).