Newz Forum: SOCCER: Football Rumors and News 20/08/04

Barcelona claim they have sold forward Luis Garcia to Liverpool for 6million, subject to a medical. Barca's sporting director Txiki Begiristain expects the deal will be completed on Friday. Should the fine details of the move be resolved, Luis Garcia will join compatriots Josemi and Antonio Nunez at the Merseyside club, with Xabi Alonso also expected to join from Real Sociedad.

Newcastle defender Jonathan Woodgate has joined Real Madrid after passing a medical. The deal for the 24-year-old England centre-back is believed to be in the region of 13.4million. Woodgate arrived in Madrid on a flight from Munich where he had a consultation with a German specialist over the thigh injury which has kept him out of action since April. He has suffered with various injuries during his time at Newcastle, whom he joined from Leeds in January last year. Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd was quick to dismiss claims that he offered defender Woodgate to Real Madrid 'on a plate'. But Shepherd insists the initial approach came from Real, adding they are the only club for which Woodgate would have signed.

Preston striker Ricardo Fuller has joined Portsmouth on a two-year pay-as-you-play deal. The Jamaican forward's 1.7million move to Fratton Park collapsed earlier this summer because of a knee problem but he was recently told he does not need surgery by specialist Dr Richard Steadman. The 25-year-old arrived at Deepdale from Hearts in the summer of 2002 and scored 19 goals last season. Fuller proved his fitness by returning for Craig Brown's side against Watford and scoring in North End's 2-1 defeat at Gillingham. The deal suits Preston, who had been concerned Fuller could walk away for nothing when his contract expired next summer.

Leeds have agreed terms with Cameroon midfielder Serge Branco following a successful trial spell. However, they have not received international clearance for the 23-year-old to face Nottingham Forest on Saturday. Branco, who has also trained with Championship rivals QPR this summer, has signed a one-year deal with the option for a further year at Elland Road. He joins United on a free transfer as his contract with German side VFB Stuttgart ran out at the end of last season.

Valencia strikers Miguel Angulo and Mista have been linked again with moves to the Premiership. Although the Spanish champions have yet to receive a formal offer for Angulo, agent Jose Luis Tamargo confirmed that an English club had expressed an interest - although he would not say which one.

Chelsea have cancelled the contract of goalkeeper Jurgen Macho by mutual consent. The Austrian joined the Blues on a free transfer from Sunderland last summer but suffered a cruciate ligament injury which prevented him making any first-team appearances last season. Macho had Petr Cech, Carlo Cudicini, Lenny Pidgeley and Marco Ambrosio ahead of him in the battle for the number one jersey at Stamford Bridge and the Londoners have agreed to release him.

Everton's pursuit of Dutch winger Andy van der Meyde seems set for failure after his agent insisted he wanted to stay and fight for his place at Inter Milan. Chiel Dekker confirmed Everton had made an approach to sign the Holland international.

Dutch international midfielder Mark van Bommel has said he will be leaving PSV Eindhoven for Borussia Dortmund before the current transfer window closes. If van Bommel does move to Dortmund, he will be linking up with his father-in-law Bert van Marwijk, the current coach of the German giants. Van Bommel's claims have filtered through to Germany but have been played down by Dortmund's sport director Michael Zorc.