United poised to bolster defence again

Manchester United look set to take their transfer window spending past the £10m (€14.5m) mark with the capture of French defender Patrice Evra from Monaco.

The Red Devils yesterday completed the signing of £7m (€10.1m) Serbian centre-half Nemanja Vidic from Spartak Moscow.

And the deal to take 24-year-old full-back Evra to Old Trafford is “75% done” according to the player's representative.

“We had a meeting in my office with (United chief executive) David Gill and Monaco as the two clubs and us talked,” Evra’s agent Frederico Pastorello told www.skysports.com.

“It went very well and we expect something to be done by the weekend, you could say it is 75% done.

“There are a few details to sort out about the deal but by Monday we would hope to be in a position to finalise things. We also need time to think about a few things with the contract and the details of the deal.”

Vidic has signed a four-and-a-half-year contract and United boss Alex Ferguson said: “I am delighted the two clubs have come to an agreement. Nemanja is a quick, aggressive centre-half and at 24 will be a terrific addition to the squad.”

Neighbours Manchester City have completed the signing of Espanyol winger Albert Riera on loan for the rest of the season.

The 23-year-old told the club’s official website, www.mcfc.co.uk: “I’m really happy with the move. Even when I was at Bordeaux I wanted to come over to the Premiership.

“I hope with my skills that I’ll be a big hit here, because a good player should be able to transfer his skills in whatever country he plays in.”

Birmingham boss Steve Bruce is still looking to add some more firepower to his forward ranks despite bringing in Chris Sutton until the end of the season.

Bruce hailed 32-year-old former Norwich, Blackburn and Celtic striker Sutton as “a fantastic signing for the club” and has also been linked with Polish front man Grzegorz Piechna.

“We are still looking actively to add maybe a couple more strikers to the squad,” Bruce told the club's official website, www.blues.premiumtv.co.uk. “But it’s always difficult because of the availability and the finances.”

Reports in Denmark suggest Liverpool are close to completing a deal for Brondby defender Daniel Agger.

State broadcasters DR say Agger’s agent Per Steffensen was in Liverpool on Wednesday and the centre-back has now agreed personal terms with the European champions, who have only to settle on a fee with Brondby – expected to be around £5.5m (€8m).

The 24-year-old has been a long-term target for Rafael Benitez, who has been seeking cover for Jamie Carragher and Sami Hyypia.

Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry told DR: “He is a central defender and we need at least one defender so we have a list of possibles. His name is on it – but that’s all I want to say at this moment in time.”

Cardiff keeper Tony Warner has joined Fulham on a permanent basis after impressing while on loan with the Cottagers.