Soccer Shorts: An English Premier League inquiry into alleged transfer irregularities has found that 17 transfers, including the moves of Didier Drogba and Petr Cech to Chelsea, cannot be cleared, the league has said.
The transfers involve five clubs - Chelsea, Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, Bolton Wanderers and Newcastle United - while the inquiry questions the roles of more than a dozen agents and advisors, notably international agent Pinhas Zahavi.
A league statement said the inquiry found Zahavi "has failed to co-operate fully" and recommended that world ruling body Fifa "launch their own inquiry into the conduct of Mr Zahavi based on the evidence obtained".
The probe, launched in March 2006 by former London police chief John Stevens, looked into 362 transfers between January 1st, 2004, and January 31st of last year.
Wigan sign Melchiot
Mario Melchiot has joined Wigan Athletic on a free transfer from French side Rennes.
The 30-year-old former Chelsea and Birmingham defender passed a medical and agreed personal terms on Thursday but requested the announcement be delayed to inform the French side.
Shevchenko U-turn
AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi claims Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko wants to return to the San Siro and is determined to re-sign him.
The Ukraine striker has been repeatedly linked with a return to the Serie A club over the last six months following a difficult first season at Stamford Bridge.
Milan are keen to sign a striker, with Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o and Arsenal's Thierry Henry rumoured to be targets for the European champions. However, Berlusconi has his heart set on Shevchenko. "I like Eto'o, he is young, but I am a romantic and I prefer Shevchenko," said Berlusconi.
Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani admitted earlier this month that Shevchenko's return would only happen if Chelsea gave the all-clear to sell the player.
The Premiership side paid £30 million to Milan last summer for the 30-year-old, but Berlusconi believes the deal is still possible.
Meanwhile, Milan will not sell playmaker Kaka despite saying they are aware the Brazilian's father has held a meeting with Real Madrid.
"We can confirm we will not sell Kaka but we knew about this meeting because we were already informed of it by Kaka's father," Galliani said.
Arsenal pay up
Arsenal have reached an agreement with FK Haugesund to sign youngster Havard Nordveit, according to reports in Norway.
Arsene Wenger has been keen to tie up a deal for the 16-year-old defender and travelled to Norway earlier this week in hope of sealing his signing.
However, Arsenal had a bid in the region of £1.8 million rebuffed by Haugesund but the Premiership side have now come back with an improved offer of £2million which has been accepted by the Norwegian club.
Nordveit is believed to have agreed a four-year deal at Emirates Stadium and the deal will officially go through next month.
Gudjohnsen in dark
Eidur Gudjohnsen's father and agent insists he has had no contact with Manchester United regarding a move to Old Trafford and claims his son is keen to prove himself at Barcelona.
United are apparently keen to recruit a new striker this summer with Louis Saha's ongoing injury troubles and Alan Smith's future undecided.
The English champions have been strongly linked with the Iceland international but his father Arnor insists Barcelona will not make a decision on his future until after this weekend's La Liga climax. He said: "Honestly, I have not heard anything from Manchester United. I can confirm that.
"It's only speculation. I think the club will decide many things after the weekend and what is going to happen after the game (against Gimnastic).
"Then, maybe you might see a clearer picture of what's going to happen. But at this stage, nothing."
In brief . . .
Birmingham Cityare poised to step up their bid to sign Aston Villa central defender Liam Ridgewell(22) . . . The English Premier League have confirmed that Middlesbroughmanager Gareth Southgate'sjob is not under threat despite his inability to obtain the required Uefa Pro-Licence before the start of next season . . . Sheffield Unitedhave agreed to sell striker Colin Kazim-Richards(20) to Turkish side Fenerbahce for £1.3 million.
