Transfers 13/7

Barmby ready to switch

Nick Barmby will be given the green light to go from Merseyside's Blues to Reds in a controversial £4 million (€6.4m) deal.

Everton are reluctantly ready to accept Liverpool's new offer for the England Euro 2000 squad man - and the historic move should go through next week.

Boss Walter Smith is now resigned to losing Barmby and, rather than let him rot in the reserves, they will now take Gerard Houllier's cash.

Barmby has been left in an awkward position since telling Smith he wanted to join their great rivals - a decision that the manager then revealed to the world.

But Liverpool have stood by their man and are now willing to meet Everton's asking price and do business.

Smith has been busily lining up deals with his transfer budget, but needs Barmby to go to balance the books completely.

Barmby will become the first player to cross the great divide since Dave Hickson about half-a-century ago, but he is prepared to face the consequences.

Meanwhile Everton cleared the way for their spending spree by finalising deals for Don Hutchison to Sunderland and John Collins to Fulham.

Sunderland finally matched Everton's £2.5m (€4m) on valuation - a price already agreed with Charlton - and the Scotland international was on Wearside for a medical.

Gateshead-born Hutchison has opted for Sunderland instead of London, where his wife wanted him to go.

Collins will also join Fulham as player-coach after the Londoners came up with the money for the midfielder who is a clsoe friend of boss Jean Tigana.

Everton want to take-away Hamburg star

Everton coach Walter Smith IS in the hunt for SV Hamburg defender Thomas Gravesen. He’s now willing to pay up to £2.8 million (€4.5m) for the Danish international. “We’ve received an offer,” admits Hamburg’s director of sport, Holger Hieronymus.

But Gravesen himself maintains that the Liverpool club has not been in touch. “No-one has spoken to me and as long as there isn’t a solid offer on the table I’m not even going to think about it,” said the 24-year-old. “It’s all speculation. For me, Hamburg is still number one for next season.”

Although the German outfit have received an offer, Hamburg would prefer to keep Gravesen, who was a member of Denmark’s Euro 2000 squad. An extension to the player’s contract is on the cards, and at the club’s training camp in Austria, Hieronymus will discuss a new deal with Gravesen which would keep him at the club until 2003.

Said Gravesen, who is in no hurry to sign a new contract: “I will wait until the season is up-and-running. I want to see if the team improves. Maybe I’ll stay here until the end of my career.

“The news on Everton’s bid will do my career and my value no harm,” added the smirking Dane.

Mpenza in Schalke stand-off

It is high noon at Schalke where striker Emile Mpenza has stated that he is unhappy in Germany.

“I am not happy in Germany but it’s got nothing to do with Schalke. I am almost certain that I’ll leave Schalke,” he told fellow Belgian, Marc Wilmots.

“Newcastle would fit the bill nicely as there are several French speakers at the club. Spurs would also be a good choice as they are a London side.”

But Schalke manager, Rudi Assauer, has denied that they have been contacted by other clubs.

“There have been no offers for Mpenza whatsoever. Newcastle’s Bobby Robson has called us once but they have now bought Carl Court from Wimbledon. And Spurs seem to have lost interest as have Napoli.”

Mpenza’s contract runs until 2004 and coach Huub Stevens expects the 22-year-old forward to return after his holidays.

Schalke paid Standard Liège DM17 million (€8.5m) for the colourful striker but he has failed to fit in at the German club, refusing to learn German and not getting on well with fellow team-mates.

Assauer added, however: “If he stays we will put things right.”

Verlaat transfer in danger

Frank Verlaat’s move to Werder Bremen is in danger of collapsing because Ajax and Werder can`t agree over money.

Ajax payed VfB Stuttgart DM8 million (€4m) last year, but Bremen are only willing to pay half of that figure.

“If the deal is not done within the next ten days, then it will all be off. Verlaat needs time to fit in here," said Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf.

Verlaat, who has resumed training in Amsterdam said: “I have been open with Bremen, I want to go there today rather than tomorrow. It is just the money that is the problem."

Verlaat is apparently angered by Ajax’s behaviour.

“If they don`t want me anymore, I don`t understand why they insist on more money."

Verlaat has been warming the bench recently at Ajax and the 32-year-old thinks that the club are holding out for a rich club from England or France to join the bidding.

He added: “I will go to Bremen or, if Ajax spoil the deal, I will stay until the end of my contract in 2003."

Bremens manager Klaus Allofs said: “We want to sign a new man to play at the back. That means we will do something."

Bremen will drop out of the bidding later this week if Ajax fail to make up their mind.

Calmund: Emerson won’t be back

Brazilian ace Emerson is finally on the verge of joining AS Roma. “With the negotiations in the final phase I don’t think he’ll be back here,” Bayer Leverkusen manager Reiner Calmund has told the Express newspaper.

There’s speculation that Roma have paid around £15 million (€23m) for the midfielder.

But Calmund claimed: “Other clubs have offered £22.5 million (€36m). But it’s the player’s wish to go to Roma.”

Spanish giants Real Madrid were believed to be in the running for Emerson, whose club have other problems to deal with.

Calmund is busy looking for a new coach for next year, as Christoph Daum will be leaving to take over as German national boss. “We have a list of 12,” said Calmund. “And we’ll try to fix it as soon as possible, but it’ll be difficult to find a replacement as Daum is the best.”

Calmund is still waiting for the signature of Hamburg ‘keeper Hans-Jörg Butt.

Leverkusen have offered £4 million (€6m) for his services. “We’re waiting until Saturday for a sign from Hamburg,” said Calmund in what will be his final offer.

Meanwhile, FC Basel player Pascal Zuberbühler will be coming to the club on a year’s loan.

Valerón and Molina join Deportivo

Deportivo and Atlético Madrid have reached an agreement concerning Juan Carlos Valerón and José Francisco Molina.

The pair move to the Spanish champions in a deal worth 2.5 billion pesetas (€15m). Deportivo had wanted to include defender Joan Capdevila but the interest just wasn’t there.

Deportivo president, Augusto César Lendoiro, agreed to take care of Molina’s buy-out clause worth 650 million pesetas (€3.9m) but in the end, opted to deal directly with Atlético.

Finally, a double-deal was brokered with both Valerón and Molina making the switch.

Valerón had earlier entered talks with Valencia but they baulked at his price tag.

And Jesús Gil sealed Valerón’s fate when claiming that the player “was not worth” playing in the Second Division

Munitis first Real signing

Real Madrid will unveil new signing Pedro Munitis at a press conference in Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday afternoon.

The club’s emergency board have opted to do the deal after receiving glowing reports about the player and from the player's reaction to his new move the Bernabeu club could have little to worry about.

"I intend to give my all and work harder to make this club great, if it is possible. I have come to world’s best club, and current Champions of Europe. It is trully a dream come true," Munitis said.

Munitis former club, Racing Santander had received several offers for their star player including a massive 4 billion pesetas (€24m) bid from Deportivo that would have seen both Munitis and Salva making the move to the current Spanish champions.

But the double-deal never eventuated and Salva went on to join Atletico Madrid.

Munitis had a stunning Euro 2000 and stated that he was keen to join Real. Racing opted to sell their star and cashed in to the tune of 1.8 billion pesetas (€11m).

New Barca board dream of Zidane

It’s election time in Barcelona and the favourite, Joan Gaspart, is expected to win and become the new boss of the club and with the money from the transfer of Luis Figo, who looks set for Real Madrid, Gaspart is certain to aim high.

Zinedine Zidane is the obvious favourite and in the time since the victory of the French at Euro 2000, Zidane has claimed he would not join the club. However, rumours in Spain suggest contact between the new board of Barcelona and Alain Miglaccio, Zidane’s agent, has been made.

The player, who has always said that he would love to play in Spain one day, does not yet know what he wants to do next season. His new contract with Juventus is not signed and Zizou is looking to earn more money next season.

Juve have agreed to extend his contract to 2004 and offer the same salary as Alessandro Del Piero £313,000 (€500,000 per month). The negotiations will start as soon as the player returns from vacation. Barcelona will surely steal Zizou if the Frenchman is not satisfied with the offer from Juventus.

Deportivo and Celta fight for Catanha

Brazilian striker Henrique da Silva “Catanha” is one of most sought after players in Spanish football and arch rivals Deportivo and Celta are prepared to pay 2500 million pesetas (€15m) to Málaga for his signature.

Catanha has received several offers including two from Real Madrid and Glasgow Rangers. But Real considered him too expensive whilst Rangers did not want to wait until October or November when Catanha becomes a Spanish citizen.

One month ago, Deportivo also offered 800 million pesetas (€4.8m) and Portuguese player Pauleta, but Málaga rejected the offer.

The signing of Panamanian striker Julio César Dely Valdés has provided Málaga with a good substitute for Catanha so they are in no hurry to sell.

Deportivo are desperate to land the star after they failed to sign Salva and Munitis and are about to lose Djalminha as he moves to Brazil. The Spanish champions offered 2300 million pesetas (€13.8m) but have the resources to pay whatever Málaga demand.

Celta want Catanha too but first they must sell Claude Makelele to Valencia. Their first offer was their player Tomás, plus 1500 million pesetas (€9m) but Málaga rejected it.

Roa returns when the sun goes down

Argentinian goalkeeper, Carlos Roa, is ready to play again for Mallorca following a one- year retirement for religious reasons. However, Roa has insisted on one condition - he will not train or play on Saturdays.

The only exception to this condition, accepted by Mallorca, is that Roa will play on Saturday evenings. He explained: “When the sun has gone down there is no problem.”

This detail is very important for Mallorca. In Spain, in all but a few exceptions, all Saturday’s games are played and broadcast at 21:00 (CET).

On his arrival at Palma de Mallorca, Roa appeared to be in great shape after losing 14 kg in the last two months. He explained: “I’ve been training hard by myself to fight for the role of first-team keeper. I have the same chance as the rest of my team-mates.”

Carlos Roa is just one of Mallorca’s three Argentinian goalkeepers, together with Leo Franco and Germán Burgos.

Before leaving the club, Roa spent two seasons at with the island club, where he became one of the team’s most important and most popular players. He was a key player in the team coached by Héctor Cúper which reached the Spanish Cup and European Cup Winner’s Cup finals.

Three-in-one for Deportivo

Left-back Joan Capdevila will join Juan Carlos Valerón and José Francisco Molina at Deportivo La Coruña next season.

After tough negotiations, the Spanish champions have persuaded Atlético Madrid to off-load the three players for a total of £13.1 million (€21m), making this the most expensive deal in Deportivo’s history.

Deportivo had already tried to sign the trio one month ago, but Capdevila refused to join La Coruña because he was demanding more money. The deal was broken, and it looked as though it would stay that way.

However, Molina signed for Deportivo last week and Valerón, after failing to sign for Valencia, followed a few days ago.

Valencia were very interested in Valerón, but considered the £7.5 million (€12m) Atlético were demanding as over the top.

With Valerón and Molina signed, Deportivo’s president Augusto César Lendoiro travelled to Madrid to persuade Capdevila’s agent. Finally, they agreed and closed the deal with Miguel Angel Gil, Atlético’s general secretary.

With these three signings, Deportivo need just one striker to replace the injured Roy Makaay before the start of next season. They are negotiating with Málaga’s Catanha, but are not prepared to meet the £9.4 million (€15m) evaluation of the player.

Real Zaragoza’s Savo Milosevic and Real Betis’ Alfonso Pérez are the second and third options.

Tristán will sign for Real

Mallorca striker Diego Tristán is on the verge of signing for European champions Real Madrid for £9.5 million (€15m).

Fiorentina and AC Milan had been in the running to land the 24-year-old, but on Wednesday Mallorca chairman Mateo Alemany met with Real vice-president Juan Onieva in Madrid to hammer out the deal.

Tristán’s agent, Paco Duran, had met with Fiorentina pair Gian Carlo Antonioni and Luciano Luna, but the deal fell through as Mallorca wanted £11.3 million (£18m). This, combined with tough personal terms, saw the deal collapse.

Said Duran: “With the same personal conditions, Diego would prefer to stay in Spain.”

Real’s director of sport Jose “Piri” Martinez and coach Vicente del Bosque are now on high alert and would love to sign Tristán, who has great-untapped potential.

Meanwhile, the comings and goings look set to continue at the Bernabeu. Anelka’s departure is merely a mater of time and whether Savo Milosevic comes remains to be seen, especially with Parma interested in a replacement for the world’s most expensive footballer, Hernan Crespo.