Transfer market warms up as deadline nears

Premiership clubs today stepped up their quest for new players as Newcastle, Portsmouth and Aston Villa all dived into the transfer market, with England striker Michael Owen poised for a big-money move to St James’ Park.

Owen is set to be unveiled by Newcastle at a noon press conference tomorrow once the formalities of a medical have been completed.

He has agreed a four-year deal with the north-east club, who have spent a club record – to bring the 25-year-old home from Real Madrid and beat off interest from his former club, Liverpool.

It is a transfer scoop which have left both staff and fans at Newcastle elated, coming so close after the capture of Deportivo La Coruna striker Albert Luque last week.

“Bringing Michael to St James’ Park will rank alongside the signing of Alan Shearer as my proudest moment at Newcastle United,” chairman Freddy Shepherd told the club’s official website, www.nufc.co.uk.

“Newcastle fans love centre-forwards and Michael is a fantastic goalscorer. He’s someone we would love to build the team around and we hope he can help us bring success to the club.”

Villa, meanwhile, have also been busy finalising their plans ahead of the closure of the transfer window tomorrow with the arrival of PSV Eindhoven defender Wilfred Bouma.

The 27-year-old Holland international had ended his long association with PSV to join David O’Leary’s side, and declared: “I am really delighted to be joining Villa. It is a big club and I am really looking forward to playing for them in the Premier League.”

There was activity down on the south coast at Fratton Park too, where Portsmouth secured the services of Serbia and Montenegro midfielder Zvonimir Vukic.

Pompey have picked up just one point from their first four Premiership matches this season, but will be buoyed by the arrival of Vukic, who has an eye for goal.

The 26-year-old – currently on international duty ahead of World Cup qualifiers against Lithuania and Spain – has spent the last two seasons with Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk and before that played for Partisan Belgrade.

Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric told the club’s website, www.pompeyfc.co.uk: “We were looking for a middle man who chips in with goals and this player not only has a proven record of doing that, he actually scored a lot in one season which is a little more than chipping in.

“That makes him a real bargain and his nose for goal will sharpen us up a little more.”

Everton have already concluded the signings of Portuguese international full-back Nuno Valente, and Italian defender Matteo Ferrari.

Manager David Moyes is expected to further strengthen his squad with the addition of Dutch international forward Andy van der Meyde, who has been on Merseyside undergoing a medical with a view to a move from Inter Milan.

Liverpool, meanwhile, completed a double signing of teenage forwards Besian Idrizaj and Ramon Calliste.

Austrian Idrizaj, a 17-year-old winger, joins on a two-year deal from Linzer ASK, while Wales Under-21 striker Calliste has been brought in after being freed by Manchester United at the start of the summer. He has signed a 12-month contract.

As the clock ticks down towards the transfer deadline, however, the rumour mill has gone into overdrive.

Birmingham have been linked with a move for Charlton striker Francis Jeffers, who has yet to feature for the Addicks this term.

But manager Alan Curbishley rebuffed the reports, insisting on the club’s website, www.cafc.co.uk: “I’ve not spoken to Steve Bruce and I don’t know much about that.”

Tottenham, meanwhile, are said to be tracking PSV’s Lee Young-Pyo, Lyon forward Sidney Govou and Chelsea’s fringe striker Carlton Cole.

Spurs certainly have money to spend following the sale of Fredi Kanoute to Sevilla a fortnight ago.

Govou’s agent said: “There has been no contact from Tottenham, but I know that they watched him in Auxerre at the weekend.

“If Tottenham, Liverpool or Newcastle want Sidney they will have to contact me before the deadline, otherwise he will stay at Lyon. He has three years left on his contract.”