WEST HAM striker Dean Ashton has signed a new five-year contract to keep him at Upton Park until 2013. The England forward, who made his debut against Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday, signed the deal last night.

Ashton (24), who had two years left on his deal, missed much of last season through injury and is keen to feature more prominently.

"I didn't play as many games as I wish I could and obviously I missed the season before," he said.

"I am really excited about next season. I feel I can only get better so I am really glad that I have signed and can look forward to the future.

"I think after the injury I had as well, it is nice the club have managed to agree with me on a new deal. We are really looking to the future."

West Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury said: "I am delighted that we have agreed this new contract with Dean. It underlines the ambition of the club to progress and challenge at the top end of the Premier League.

"Dean is an important part of our plans for the new season and beyond. We are looking forward to seeing him scoring plenty of goals for West Ham United."

Liverpool are on the brink of completing the €8.8-million signing of the Italian full-back Andrea Dossena.

The 26-year-old was believed to be on Merseyside yesterday having a medical ahead of a proposed move from Udinese.

The proximity of the deal has been confirmed by the player's agent, Federico Pastorello, who has been quoted in the Italian media: "Everything is confirmed and we have already exchanged documents via fax. The deal is practically done."

Dossena is getting married at the weekend, but both club and player want the medical concluded and the final details of the deal settled before then.

Initially, Udinese wanted €10.1 million for the player, but a compromise has been reached and, subject to the medical, Dossena will become Liverpool's second signing of the summer following the arrival of the Swiss right-back Philipp Degen.

The Liverpool manager, Rafael Benitez, will fund the move by selling John Arne Riise, with Roma now the favourites to sign the Norwegian.

Benitez will then move to try to complete the signing of Gareth Barry, with an increased offer having been made to Aston Villa that could mean the midfielder costing upwards of €18.9 million.

Peter Crouch could be used as part exchange in the deal.

The Anfield chief is also considering formally entering the race to sign Cardiff's 17-year-old midfield star Aaron Ramsey.

Manchester United, Arsenal and Everton - who made a €6.3-million bid on Tuesday night - have all been given permission to talk to the Welsh youngster, who last month at Wembley became the youngest player to appear in an FA Cup final.

Liverpool made one initial inquiry but believed a deal with Manchester United was almost complete. It seems, however, there is now some doubt over that, with Cardiff willing to allow the Premier League clubs to outbid each other.

Liverpool could offer winger Paul Anderson and striker Adam Hammill as loan players to Cardiff for next season.

Anderson helped Swansea win promotion last season on a 12-month loan, and could now find himself offered to their bitter south Wales rivals for the next campaign.

Everton have confirmed they have received permission to speak to the highly rated Ramsey.

The race for Ramsey, considered to be the best young Welsh player since Ryan Giggs, moved swiftly yesterday when Manchester United announced they had agreed a fee for the Caerphilly-born youngster.

Ramsey was selected by John Toshack for Wales's squad for the recent international friendlies against Holland and Iceland.