Lee Sharpe will today accept David Platt's offer of a loan move to Sampdoria until the end of the season. The out-of-favour Leeds and former Manchester United winger intends to convince the new Sampdoria manager that he is worth taking on permanently.

The Leeds manager, David O'Leary, and the chairman, Peter Ridsdale, gave the loan arrangement their blessing last night and Sharpe meets Platt in Manchester today to finalise the details.

Ruud Gullit has responded to criticism about his commitment to Newcastle and reaffirmed his loyalty to the club. The Newcastle manager said: "I want to assure all Newcastle United supporters that my commitment to the club, its players and, of course, the fans remains 100 per cent at all times."

Tottenham are close to signing the 28-year-old German international Steffen Freund, a defensive midfielder from Borussia Dortmund, for £750,000. George Graham, the Tottenham manager, and David Pleat, director of football, are optimistic a deal with be completed next month.