Villa wait for confirmation on Dunne deal after hectic day

ASTON VILLA will have to wait until today to confirm the signing of defender Richard Dunne from Manchester City.

Having announced West Ham centre-back James Collins’ £5million move earlier in the day, it was expected the club would follow up with news of Dunne’s £6m transfer.

However, despite submitting the required documents well ahead of the 5pm deadline yesterday, the sheer workload undertaken at Premier League headquarters on one of their busiest days of the year means it is taking time to verify the paperwork. A similar situation arose in the winter transfer window as Andrei Arshavin’s move from Zenit St Petersburg to Arsenal was not confirmed until 24 hours after the deadline.

Dunne passed a medical and settled personal terms after the two clubs agreed a fee at the weekend, but Villa’s hopes of a swift conclusion were held up by an issue over the pay-off the player, who had three years remaining on his existing contract, was looking for from City.

He would be entitled to a testimonial at Eastlands next summer on completing 10 years with the club.

By contrast, Collins move was rushed through with very little fuss.

“I’m delighted to have it all sorted,” said Collins, who has signed a four-year contract. “I met the manager and had a look around. It’s a fantastic setting. I can’t wait to get cracking.”

When the Dunne deal is confirmed it will make Villa the biggest cumulative spenders on the final day of the window.

However, their single fee for the City centre-back was matched by that paid by Everton for Atletico Madrid defender Johnny Heitinga.

The Holland international, whose price could rise to £7m, signed a five-year deal. He is the second recruit to Everton’s defence after Sylvain Distin moved from Portsmouth on Friday as manager David Moyes spent more of the money from Joleon Lescott’s £24m transfer to Man City.

“Johnny is an experienced and versatile player who can hopefully fill a number of different positions in the team,” said Moyes. “I am sure he will be an exciting signing for us.”

Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal were typically quiet on deadline day with no activity from any of the ‘Big Four’

There was plenty of business done elsewhere though with a number of comings and goings at Portsmouth.

Tottenham confirmed they signed Pompey midfielder Nico Kranjcar for about £2.5m. It meant a reunion for the Croatian with former Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp, who was delighted with the arrival of a player who is likely to take the place of compatriot Luka Modric as he recovers from a broken leg.

“I know him from working with him and it is terrific to have him,” said Redknapp. “I’ve got two Croatians here who are fantastic professionals. Niko is a terrific footballer, a real Tottenham-type player. He’ll do well here.”

There were more arrivals than exits at Fratton Park though as the club signed Tal Ben-Haim from Manchester City on a four-year deal, midfielder Hassan Yebda on a season-long loan from Benfica and 25-year-old Watford centre-back Mike Williamson on a four-year deal for a reported £3m.

However, Pompey failed in a bid to land Egypt striker Amr Zaki, who had a spell with Wigan last season, after his club Zamalek refused to allow the player to leave.

Stoke signed Danny Collins from Sunderland for £2.75m and allowed defender Ibrahima Sonko to join Premier League rivals Hull City on a season-long loan.

Goal-shy Bolton brought in Nantes’ 29-year-old Croatia striker Ivan Klasnic and Birmingham signed Sunderland midfielder Teemu Tainio, both on season-long loans.

Burnley secured Portsmouth striker David Nugent on a six-month loan subject to Premier League confirmation, which could be made permanent.

Fulham signed striker David Elm from Swedish side Kalmar on a one-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

Sunderland sold Grant Leadbitter, for up to £2.6m, and fellow midfielder Carlos Edwards, for up to £1.35m, to Ipswich while Wigan let midfielder Ben Watson move on loan to Championship side QPR until January.

Rangers made their first signing in more than a year by bringing in 31-year-old Jerome Rothen from Paris St Germain on a season-long loan.

Kilmarnock signed 28-year-old Celtic goalkeeper Mark Brown on loan, while Hoops’ Irish defender Darren O’Dea joined Championship side Reading until January.