Dead certs
Bakari Sagna has been offered a five-year contract by Arsenal, but the Barclays Premier League club remain in negotiations about the transfer fee. Arsenal have offered a little more than £6 million for the right back, but Auxerre want £10 million. Sagna is believed to have agreed personal terms and completed a medical in London on Monday, when his agent, Christophe Mongai, arrived to help to bridge the gap between the clubs. It is expected that a deal will be struck at up to £7.5 million.
“Bakari has his heart with Arsenal,” G?rard Bourgoin, the Auxerre sporting director, said. “The discussions are very advanced, but we have a 20 per cent chance that he may stay.” Sagna was voted as the best right back in France last season. He wants a move to improve his chances of playing for France, after being named in the squad for the first time last month. Arsenal have two players in that position, but they will lose Emmanuel Ebou? for a month during the African Cup of Nations next season. They could also push Ebou? into midfield, with Fredrik Ljungberg expected to leave the club.
Jason Koumas has signed a four-year deal at Wigan Athletic after completing a move from West Bromwich Albion for an initial £4.6 million. They will pay a further £500,000 based on appearances and £200,000 should Wigan retain their top-flight status next season. Trevor Sinclair has joined Cardiff City. The winger, 34, was released by Manchester City at the end of last season. Steve Watson, the defender, has signed for Sheffield Wednesday from West Bromwich on a free transfer.
Decent bets
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Newcastle United are in talks with Marseilles about Habib Beye, the captain and defender. The Senegal player came to prominence at RC Strasbourg and had a trial at Middlesbrough before joining Marseilles four years ago. Wigan Athletic and West Ham United are edging closer to agreeing a deal for Marlon Harewood. Wigan have offered £3 million for the forward, but the East London club are seeking as much as £1 million more, which they are unlikely to obtain.
Long shots
Varzim, of Portugal, are claiming £70,000 from Tottenham Hotspur in relation to the transfer of H?lder Postiga four years ago. Tottenham bought the forward for £6.25 million from Porto, whom he returned to a year later. Varzim are claiming that they are owed the money for developing Postiga before he joined Porto. Tottenham have redirected the claim to Porto.
Aston Villa have been watching Brede Hangeland, who can play in central defence or midfield. Newcastle United expressed an interest in the FC Copenhagen player last month. Ipswich Town have failed to sign Francis Jeffers after the forward turned down the offer of £9,000 a week. They had agreed a fee of about £600,000 with Blackburn Rovers.