Newz Forum: SOCCER: Football Rumors and News 19/08/04

Jonathan Woodgate appears to be heading for the exit door at St James' Park just as Kieron Dyer was attempting to ensure he did not follow his team-mate through it. Dyer issued an apology to manager Sir Bobby Robson on the same day Woodgate was on the brink of a 14million move to Real Madrid.

As Newcastle kept quiet over England defender Woodgate's expected transfer to the Spanish giants Dyer was doing his best to make his peace with Robson and the club's fans. Dyer, who was booed during England's friendly win over Ukraine at St James' Park on Wednesday night, issued a heartfelt apology for his refusal to play out of position at Middlesbrough. United refused to comment on the approach but it is understood the 14million offer has been made and the Magpies are resigned to losing a player they bought barely 18 months ago from Leeds for 9million. The 24-year-old England international is currently in Germany for a consultation over the thigh injury which has kept him out of action since April.

West Ham manager Alan Pardew expects Michael Carrick to commit himself to the club's cause if his prospective move to Tottenham breaks down. The Newcastle-born player was withdrawn from the Hammers' reserve-team line-up for the game against Norwich on Wednesday night in order to hold talks with Spurs. Portsmouth, Arsenal, West Brom, Everton and Crystal Palace have all been linked with Carrick as well and the player is out of contract at Upton Park at the end of this season.

El-Hadji Diouf has signed for Bolton on a season-long loan deal from Liverpool, subject to a work permit being granted. The 23-year-old Senegal international striker, who joined the Anfield club in a 10million deal from French club Lens two years ago, will travel with the first-team squad for Saturday's trip to Fulham but is unlikely to feature. The two-time former African Footballer of the Year becomes Sam Allardyce's eighth signing of the season.

Everton are ready to make a move for Serbia and Montenegro international defender Milan Dudic. David Moyes was on Wednesday in Slovenia to watch his latest transfer target for the second time. And officials for the centre-back's club side Crvena Zvezda, formerly Red Star Belgrade, have claimed that Everton are on the verge of agreeing a 2m deal for the 24-year-old.

Juan Pablo Angel is set to make a surprise return to the Villa side against West Brom on Sunday. The Colombia striker has been recovering from a knee injury over the summer and made his comeback in a reserve match against Leeds on Tuesday. The 28-year-old was not expected to feature in the first team until September but manager David O'Leary suggests he could be on the bench for the West Midlands derby this weekend.

Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Portugal Under-20 defender Nuno Morais from Penafiel. The youngster was handed a trial by Jose Mourinho earlier in the month and did enough to persuade the Blues boss to hand him a permanent deal. Morais has flown to England for a medical and should complete the formalities of his move before the end of the week.

Tromso have confirmed Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing coveted Norway international Morten Gamst Pedersen. The exciting attacker is a target for a string of Premiership clubs and was the subject of a failed bid from Blackburn Rovers over the summer. Tippeliga side Tromso are prepared to sell Gamst Pedersen for the right price but have yet to receive a suitable offer. Spurs, along with Premiership rivals Bolton Wanderers and Chelsea, watched Gamst Pedersen in action on Wednesday in Norway's friendly with Belgium. Jacques Santini's interest in the youngster has been acknowledged by Tromso but they admit they are still waiting for the right bid.

Juventus coach Fabio Capello has targeted former Chelsea man Marcel Desailly for the coming season, but will face competition from several clubs. Desailly is currently without a club after leaving Chelsea this summer, but several sides are hoping that he will continue playing for another season. Manchester City have been linked with the powerful defender, but Capello is hoping to convince Desailly that a return to Italy would suit him.

Leyton Orient have missed out on the chance to bring Charlton starlet Jamal Campbell-Ryce back to the club for a second loan spell. The young winger was in sparkling form for The O's when he last played at the club two years ago on a three-month spell. However, Campbell-Ryce has decided not to make a return to the club, with clubs in League One believed to be his preferred option.

Spanish outfit Atletico Madrid have completed the loan capture of Salva Ballesta, with the player to be presented to the press on Thursday. The Valencia marksman spent last season on loan at Malaga, where in an impressive campaign he bagged 19 goals. Despite his prolific tally away from the Mestalla, new boss Claudio Ranieri has deemed Salva surplus to requirements. Although Malaga, Monaco and Bolton were thought to be keen on landing the striker, Atletico have now stolen a march on their rivals to claim his signature.

Ambitious Spanish side Levante have completed their second raid on Ligue 1 by signing Marseille midfielder Fabio Celestini. After securing Bulgarian international Vladimir Manchev from Lille earlier in the week, Levante have now snapped up Celestini on loan. Celestini was deemed surplus to requirements at Stade Velodrome by coach Jose Anigo, despite being a regular performer during his two years at the club.