Liverpool closed in on the signing of Roma's Alberto Aquilani today with boss Rafael Benitez insisting the midfielder will "excite" the fans.

Xabi Alonso was today due to have his medical at the Bernabeu before becoming Real Madrid’s latest ’galactico’.

Liverpool’s Xabi Alonso is poised to sign for Real Madrid tomorrow after the clubs agreed a fee believed to be £30m for the Spain international.

Bolton goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi has signed a new four-year contract that will keep him at the Reebok Stadium until 2013.

CHELSEA chief executive Peter Kenyon yesterday insisted striker Didier Drogba will not be leaving Stamford Bridge in January.

Chelsea have reached an agreement with Norwegian club Lyn Oslo in their dispute over the transfer of John Mikel Obi.

THE bizarre saga of John Mikel Obi’s transfer to Chelsea took another twist yesterday with the Blues issuing a High Court claim for £16 million (€20m) from FC Lyn Oslo and disgraced former official Morgan Andersen.

Bolton 1 Sporting Lisbon 1

Celtic midfielder Teddy Bjarnason has completed a permanent move to Norwegian side Lyn Oslo.

CHELSEA midfielder Mikel John Obi’s contract with former club Lyn Oslo is being investigated by Norwegian police.

Wigan have dismissed the claim they are poised to sign striker Chinedu Ogbuke for £3m (€4.5m) from Norwegian side Lyn Oslo.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has accused rebel William Gallas of showing him and his team-mates a lack of respect.

One of the most protracted transfer disputes in the history of English football concluded last night with Chelsea signing Nigerian midfielder John Obi Mikel for a combined £16m (€23m).

Chelsea have agreed to pay £12m to Manchester United and £4m to Lyn Oslo to secure the services of John Obi Mikel.

Chelsea are expected to complete the signing of Nigeria international John Obi Mikel in the next 24 hours after negotiations over his transfer continued today.

Andriy Shevchenko is expected to sort his future out with AC Milan later today - as Chelsea stand ready to make a big-money swoop for the Ukrainian striker.

CHELSEA look to have to wait at least another 24 hours before they will discover whether AC Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko will be set for a move to Stamford Bridge.

Alexander Ostlund was the surprise omission from Sweden’s provisional squad for the 2006 World Cup.

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon insists his club have been “dragged into” the tug-of-war with Manchester United for Nigerian teenager John Obi Mikel.

Tug-of-war teenager John Obi Mikel still wants to snub Manchester United in favour of a move to Chelsea.

CHELSEA chief executive Peter Kenyon has denied claims that Manchester City tried to take Shaun Wright-Phillips back to the club on loan.

John Obi Mikel has pleaded with Manchester United to come to the negotiating table and give him a chance to complete his dream move to Chelsea.

Chelsea insist Manchester United’s claims they acted outside the laws of the game with regard to Nigerian teenager John Obi Mikel are “without foundation”.

FIFA are to investigate claims that Manchester United and Chelsea target John Obi Mikel has received death threats, according to a BBC Radio Five Live report.

Alex Ferguson has told FIFA president Sepp Blatter to stop poking his nose into Manchester United’s business and concentrate on the big issues facing the game.

JOHN Obi Mikel’s future will not become clear until FIFA have finished their investigation into his alleged agreement with Manchester United.

John Obi Mikel’s future will not become clear until FIFA have finished their investigation into his alleged agreement with Manchester United.

Manchester United are finally set to seal the controversial signing of John Obi Mikel, according to reports from Norway.

Oman keeper Ali Al Habsi has revealed he is on the verge of joining Bolton.

ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger yesterday urged panicking Manchester United supporters not to crucify Malcolm Glazer before he has even set foot in the door at Old Trafford.

John Obi Mikel has claimed he was pressurised into agreeing a deal with Manchester United and did not sign a contract of his own free will.

MANCHESTER UNITED chief executive David Gill last night urged 18-year-old John Obi Mikel and his representatives to clear up the mystery of the midfielder’s future plans.

Alex Ferguson has flown to Norway in an attempt to sort out the John Obi Mikel transfer.

Manchester United beaten off stiff competition from Chelsea to capture Nigerian midfielder John Obi Mikel from Norwegian outfit Lyn Oslo.