Dunne will be a 'big signing' for us

Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov believes Richard Dunne will prove to be a 'big signing' for the club.

Dunne: Linked with many Premier League clubs.

Dunne is expected to finalise a move to Villa Park before the close of the transfer window after Martin O'Neill's side agreed a fee with Manchester City.

The centre-half has discussed personal terms with Villa, although reports in Sunday's newspapers suggested the deal was being held up due to contractual issues with City.

Petrov expects the deal to go through and the Bulgarian midfielder believes Dunne can help to fill the void created by Martin Laursen's retirement over the summer.

"The deal for Dunne will be great news for Villa," said Petrov. "Richard's an international player, he's been in the Premier League for so many years and is one of the game's big players.

"It's going to be a big signing for Villa. It will give us a strong defender at the back and, of course, he's definitely a true leader. He's the captain of Ireland, he's been the captain of Manchester City, so you love to see players like that coming to this club.

"Laursen was a big player for us, with his presence and his influence. But he, like Gareth Barry, is now gone and we need to get on without him. The arrival of Dunne can help us to do that."

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Barcelona chief: Fabregas is a ''special case''

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has identified his club's pursuit of Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas as a ''special case'' and claims that it is ''no secret'' that the Spanish champions want to sign him.

The captain is a wanted man.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has been unimpressed by the Catalan side's attempts to sign his captain this summer, with reports of a £30m bid surrounding the Spaniard for months.

And Laporta said: ''I apologise if I bothered Mr Wenger, because I respect him very highly and the job he is doing. But he knows perfectly that the case of Cesc Fabregas is special.

''He is a Catalan player from our youth team and it is not a secret that we love this player.''

Fabregas, who missed Saturday's 2-1 defeat by Manchester United because of a hamstring injury, was picked up from the Nou Camp academy for around £500,000 by Wenger in September 2003.

He has made it clear in the past that he would relish a return to his former club, but has also remained faithful to Arsenal and, most importantly, Wenger.

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England recalls for Crouch, Brown and Lennon

Michael Owen has once again been overlooked by Fabio Capello for next month's World Cup qualifier with Croatia. There were some who suggested Owen's summer move to Manchester United would offer an instant way back into the Three Lions fold.

The winger has been in fine form for Spurs.

However, even though the 29-year-old scored his first competitive goal for the Red Devils in last week's hammering of Wigan, Fabio Capello has overlooked England's fourth-highest goalscorer for the Croatia game - where victory will confirm their presence in South Africa - and the friendly with Slovenia which precedes it on September 5.

In fairness, Owen probably did not expect to get picked anyway, given he is in direct competition with Jermain Defoe, a player who has scored goals for club and country already this term and has been a pivotal figure in Tottenham's superb start to the season. Indeed, Capello's squads are now starting to take on a familiar look.

Even the inclusion of Ben Foster, who showed his best and worst sides against Manchester United yesterday, only confirms a position he held in the squad for last month's friendly draw in Holland until the 26-year-old pulled out with a knee injury.

As David James misses out for the third squad running after being forced to sit out Portsmouth's home defeat to Manchester City earlier today with what manager Paul Hart described as bone bruising'', Foster could well play some part against Slovenia at Wembley as he looks to establish himself above Robert Green in the pecking order.

The absence of Rio Ferdinand with a thigh strain has provided Wes Brown with a surprise return to international duty. Brown was sidelined for much of last term with an ankle injury and then suffered a thigh problem during United's recent pre-season campaign.

However, the experienced defender performed creditably in central defence as United overcame Arsenal at Old Trafford yesterday and Capello knows he also provides cover forGlen Johnson at right-back.

Steven Gerrard was an automatic choice to return, while Aaron Lennon was always the number one choice to take over from Theo Walcott, who has not played this season due to a back injury Arsene Wenger believes is a direct result of his young star playing for both England's senior side and the under-21s last summer.

The other addition is Peter Crouch, who appeared to have been leapfrogged in the England pecking order by Carlton Cole, but is now back among Capello's chosen few having begun to establish himself at Tottenham after a summer move from Portsmouth.

Squad: Foster (Manchester United), Green (West Ham), Robinson (Blackburn), Johnson (Liverpool), Brown (Manchester United), Upson (West Ham), Terry (Chelsea, capt), Lescott (Manchester City), A Cole (Chelsea), Bridge (Manchester City), Wright-Phillips (Manchester City), Lennon (Tottenham), Beckham (Los Angeles Galaxy), Barry (Manchester City), Lampard (Chelsea), Carrick (Manchester United), Gerrard (Liverpool), A Young (Aston Villa), Milner (Aston Villa), Rooney (Manchester United), Heskey (Aston Villa), Defoe (Tottenham), C Cole (West Ham), Crouch (Tottenham).

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Modric professes Spurs loyalty following United link

Tottenham Hotspur playmaker Luka Modric claims he has not entertained the prospect of joining Manchester United despite reports linking him with a move to the Premier League champions.

Modric is happy with life at White Hart Lane.

Modric, 23, enjoyed a promising debut season in the English top flight following a £16.6m move from Dynamo Zagreb last summer and it has been reported that Sir Alex Ferguson is considering an offer of £10m plus former Spurs midfielder Michael Carrick as he looks to land the Croatia star.

However, with Spurs winning their opening three games of the season underHarry Redknapp, Modric has moved to end the speculation regarding a potential move to Old Trafford and insists he is very much settled in North London.

"I don't know anything about the Manchester United link," Modric told Croatian publicationSportske Novosti. "I read about it in the newspapers, and one paper even published quotes from me saying I was happy to be on Sir Alex Ferguson's radar.

"But the truth is that I didn't say anything to anybody about this. They were not my words. I feel great at Tottenham and I have given no thought to moving to a different club. My contract runs until 2013 and I am just thinking about staying.

"I wouldn't be surprised if Tottenham offer me a new contract as that is something which happens in England. But, even if that doesn't happen, my feelings will not change. I am happy at White Hart Lane and I will continue to give my all for Tottenham, as I always have."

Meanwhile, Roman Pavlyuchenko is set to feature in Tottenham's Carling Cup clash at Doncaster but has suggested he may need to move to keep his place in Russia's World Cup squad.

The 27-year-old, who arrived at White Hart Lane a year ago for £13.8m, scored 14 goals in his rookie season in the Premier League but is behind Jermain Defoe and Robbie Keane in Harry Redknapp's pecking order, with Peter Crouch's arrival intensifying competition.

So far this season Pavlyuchenko's only involvement has come in a minute-long appearance off the bench against Liverpool.

''No footballer likes being on the bench game after game,'' Pavlyuchenko told Sport Express in Russia. ''I could lose my place in the Russia squad ahead of the 2010 World Cup. I'm ready now to listen to offers from other clubs.''

Italian side Roma have monitored Pavlyuchenko and there is thought to be interest in Germany and from his former club Spartak Moscow.

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Striker Pavlyuchenko won't rule out Spurs stay

Tottenham Hotspur striker Roman Pavlyuchenko has stated he will consider staying at White Hart Lane if a buyer cannot be found before the close of the transfer window.

Pavlyuchenko was one of the stars of Euro 2008.

The Russian striker's future at Spurs appeared to be in some doubt on Tuesday when he expressed a fear that a lack of playing time could hinder his attempts to secure a regular place in his national side in what is a World Cup year.

Pavlyuchenko, who joined Spurs from Spartak Moscow 12 months ago, has only played for one minute so far this season with Harry Redknapp preferring Robbie Keane, Peter Crouch and particularly the prolific Jermain Defoe.

But following a meeting with his manager, and with a potential loan move to Roma firmly off the table, Pavlyuchenko is willing to remain in North London if no side matches what the player feels is a sizeable asking price.

"The meeting with Redknapp was very good," said Pavlyuchenko in the Daily Mail. "He said I was in his plans but understood that my desire is to leave if I can't get match practice.

"However, the chairman confirmed again that that the option of a loan won't even be considered. The amount they want for me is large, which could stop potential buyers.

"If that is the case, I'll stay at Tottenham and wait for a chance. Everything will be resolved one way or the other this week."

It is reported that Zenit St Petersburg are interested in signing the striker as they seek to replace his Russia team-mate Pavel Pogrebnyak, who has joined Stuttgart.

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Blackburn locked in talks to sign Spurs defender

Blackburn Rovers have confirmed they are in negotiations to sign French defender Pascal Chimbonda from Tottenham Hotspur.

Chimbonda has spent two spells at White Hart Lane.

The 30-year-old, who has one cap for his country, rejoined Spurs in January but has made only one league start in seven months under Harry Redknapp.

His failure to win a regular place in the North Londoners' side has alerted Sam Allardyce and Rovers are now in talks regarding a deal that is reportedly worth in the region of £2m.

Chimbonda first moved to the Premier League in the summer of 2005 when joining Wigan and was subsequently named in the PFA Team of the Year following an impressive debut season in England.

He then joined Tottenham for a fee of £4.5m and spent two years at White Hart Lane before a brief sojourn at Sunderland ended with his return to Spurs.

If the deal does go through, the former Bastia defender will provide Rovers with real strength in depth at right-back as Allardyce already boasts Brett Emerton and summer signing Lars Jacobsen in his squad.

However, the Frenchman has also operated at left-back in the past and will add an element of versatility to the Blackburn defence.

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Al Fahim claims Pompey takeover is complete

Sulaiman Al Fahim claims to have completed his protracted takeover of Portsmouth by becoming the sole owner of the Premier League side.

Al Fahim attends a game with Peter Storrie.

Portsmouth announced on July 21 that an agreement had been reached to sell the club to Al Fahim and the Arabian businessman was installed as chairman after passing the Premier League's fit-and-proper-person test.

But doubts arose over his ability to complete the takeover when financial considerations meant the situation became painfully prolonged, with chief executive Peter Storrie fronting a consortium that launched a separate bid.

Storrie's group were widely expected to take control at Fratton Park but Al Fahim announced on Wednesday, via a statement from his representatives, that he had assumed full control of the club from previous owner Alexandre Gaydamak.

"Devondale Investments, the current owner of Portsmouth FC, and Al Fahim Asia Associates Ltd. (AAA), a company fully owned by Sulaiman Al Fahim, chairman of the board of Portsmouth FC, have reached an agreement whereby AAA has become the new sole owner of the club,'' said a statement released by Al Fahim's representatives.

"Sulaiman Al Fahim welcomed this agreement and looks forward to helping the club build on its impressive history and achieve new successes in the Premier League.

"The chairman of the club would like to extend his gratitude to the players, staff and the supporters of Portsmouth FC who have shown an extraordinary level of commitment and loyalty to this great club.''

Previous owner Gaydamak took full control of the club in July 2006 when buying out Milan Mandaric. He helped bankroll the club's FA Cup victory in 2008 but announced in December that he was seeking buyers for the club.

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Anderson denies that he wants to quit United

Anderson has denied he wants to quit Manchester United but admitted he is frustrated at his lack of first-team opportunities so far this season.

Anderson: Only granted one start so far this season

The Brazilian midfielder's only start came in last week's defeat by Burnley - in an unfamiliar left-wing position - and he is reported to have clashed with boss Sir Alex Ferguson after being left out of the team for the Community Shield meeting with Chelsea earlier this month.

Anderson told the Daily Mail: "I believed that I would play in the Community Shield but that is forgotten now.

"I thought that, without Cristiano Ronaldo around, I could to play more and that has been my challenge from pre-season onwards.

"But the coach decides the teams and to discuss this with him is foolish because he is the chief. I do not want to leave United. No.

"Sir Alex Ferguson has demanded a bigger effort from me and I accept that. Because to get into this United team is very complicated and difficult for any player."

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City new-boy Lescott unhappy with Moyes criticism

After being unveiled as the second most expensive British defender of all time on Wednesday, new Manchester City signing Joleon Lescott said he was "disappointed" with some of David Moyes' comments prior to his departure from Everton.

Lescott will play alongside Barry at Manchester City.

The defender joined City late on Tuesday night for a fee in the region of £22m, bringing to an end a transfer saga that grew increasingly embittered as Moyes criticised City for their conduct in pursuing Lescott.

The Toffees manger also claimed that Lescott had displayed a "poor attitude" when dropping him for the club's Europa League victory over Sigma Olomouc and that the defender had "disappointed his team-mates" by focusing on a move to City.

But Lescott disagrees with his former manager's assessment, even if he concedes that he was below par in Everton's opening day 6-1 defeat at the hands of Arsenal.

"I was disappointed in the comments, I feel they're inaccurate," Lescott said. "I'd like to address them at a later date and talk more positively about my move here.

"I don't think I disrespected any of the players. If I did I apologise. I'd like to think they thought I gave my all when I played. I know it wasn't my finest game for Everton (against Arsenal). It was a collective effort and obviously Arsenal were better than us on the day.''

Meanwhile, former Everton team-mate Tony Hibbert says Lescott's departure is a blow to a club that are hoping to secure a European finish this season.

"He's a big loss. He was a great player for us, Joleon, and a great lad as well,'' Hibbert told the club's official website. "The character he brought to the place - he was a great lad to be around.

"It's just one of those things - players come and players go, that's football really. You have friends but the next minute they can go. We've just got to get over it.''

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ATLETICO REJECT AGUERO REPORTS

Sergio Aguero has travelled to Greece with Atletico Madrid for their Champions League clash with Panathinaikos after the club rejected rumours he could be sold to Chelsea.

Aguero has been linked with a move away from Atletico this summer, with a number of top European sides said to be interested.

Chelsea are the latest to be mooted as suitors as manager Carlo Ancelotti reportedly looks to bolster his frontline with a star name.

However, Argentina international Aguero's likely involvement in Atletico's clash with Panathinaikos looks set to quell rumours of a possible deal.

Should Aguero play on Wednesday then he would become ineligible to feature for another side, including Chelsea, in the Champions League group stage this season.

Atletico head coach Abel Resino said: "Aguero travelled with us (to Athens) to play and there is no chance of a sale.

"This rubbishes all the rumours that have been in the newspapers."

Club president Enrique Cerezo added: "We have not received an offer from Chelsea.

"This story happens each summer but our answer is always the same - Sergio will stay with us."

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