Evra United boundManchester United's chief executive David Gill was in Monaco last night to complete the transfer of the France defender Patrice Evra. In two hours of talks at the Louis II Stadium he agreed a fee of about £5.5 million and finalised the financial terms of the contract.
Evra, a 24-year-old left-back, will be available to make his debut against Blackburn Rovers in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final at Ewood Park next Wednesday provided he passes a routine medical examination when he arrives in England next week.
Gill had set up the deal on Tuesday during the first negotiations with Evra and his agent Federico Pastorello and when yesterday's talks concluded just before 6pm Monaco's vice-president Gerard Brianti said the clubs had reached "a good understanding".
With Nemanja Vidic, United's £7 million recruit from Spartak Moscow, training with his new team-mates for the first time yesterday Alex Ferguson has two players competing for every position in defence, just like Jose Mourinho.
While Gabriel Heinze is injured it seems likely his first-choice back four will consist of Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand and the new recruits. Heinze will return to challenge for the left-back spot next season, by which time Mikael Silvestre may be on his way out.
Evra's arrival also means R epublic of Ireland defender John O'Shea and Kieran Richardson will be shunted down the pecking order as United look to re-establish themselves.
Ferguson criticised
Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson is facing calls for an apology after joking that he was hoping for an outbreak of malaria at Chelsea. His comment in the aftermath of United's scoreless draw against Arsenal was clearly tongue in cheek but it was condemned by the Malaria Foundation International. "It was obviously an off-the-cuff remark but it was also highly insensitive and inappropriate and an apology is due. It's making light of a killer disease and a major worldwide disaster," Dr Mary Galinski, who runs the Atlanta-based organisation, said last night.
Riera signs for City
Manchester City have completed the signing of Espanyol winger Albert Riera for the rest of the season. The Spaniard could make his debut in tomorrow's FA Cup tie at home to Scunthorpe subject to international clearance.
Kerr denies deal done
The former Ireland manager Brian Kerr yesterday denied reports that a deal with the South African Football Association had been completed. In a statement he said: "The South African Football Association has appointed Ted Dumitru as National Coach for the forthcoming African Nations Cup. The association has, quite correctly, decided to concentrate on supporting Mr Dumitru until the championships have concluded . . . any suggestion that a deal has been negotiated is completely baseless."
Villa want Bakke
David O'Leary is hoping to extend Leeds midfielder Eirik Bakke's loan spell with Aston Villa until the end of the season. The Villa chief is desperate to tie up a deal within the next 24 hours so that Bakke can be eligible for tomorrow's FA Cup tie at Hull. As things stand, Bakke's agreement with Villa will run out later this month and Leeds are reluctant to allow him play in the cup.
Reo-Coker hits back
West Ham captain Nigel Reo-Coker has hit out against Premiership players who "just don't like being tackled" and urged the authorities to keep football a physical game. Reo-Coker caused a storm earlier in the week when he left Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien with ankle ligament damage after a mis-timed challenge in Monday's Premiership clash at Upton Park. The 21-year-old midfielder escaped action from the Football Association but refuses to change his all-action approach to the game. "I am a competitive player and if I feel I need to make a tackle and try to win the ball I will," he said.
Meanwhile, West Ham are set to give new signing Yaniv Katan his debut at Carrow Road after the Israel striker completed his move from Maccabi Haifa to Upton Park yesterday. West Ham have also invited Japan midfielder Mitsuo Ogasawara on a week's trial.
Fulham go shopping
Fulham have signed goalkeeper Tony Warner on a permanent deal from Cardiff and hope to sign defender Jose Fonte on loan from Benfica, with the Portuguese 22-year-old reportedly undergoing a medical at Craven Cottage.
Earnshaw can leave
West Brom manager Bryan Robson has admitted want-away striker Robert Earnshaw could leave if an acceptable bid is made for the Welshman. "If an offer comes in that's acceptable to the club and to me as manager then we'll have to look at that, but at the moment we haven't had any bids for Rob," Robson told Sky Sports News.
"Rob's been unsettled but I've said to him he's got to improve certain aspects of his game. If he does that and gets his chance in the coming month we'll have to take it from there."
