Chelsea have reaffirmed their commitment to tying John Terry, Frank Lampard and Arjen Robben to new, long-term contracts at Stamford Bridge though they are in "no rush" to finalise the deals, with chairman Bruce Buck stressing that there has not been "the slightest reduction" in Roman Abramovich's commitment, both financial and emotional, to the club this summer.
It is four years since the Russian oligarch secured his takeover in west London, changing the face of the domestic game in the process, with Chelsea now determined to regain the Premier League title from Manchester United. Their failure as yet to secure agreements with the trio of players, and the two influential Englishmen in particular, had been a cause of some consternation with Lampard and Terry seeking terms to match or better the €180,000-a-week contracts given to Michael Ballack and Andriy Shevchenko last summer.
Talks are continuing, if only sporadically, with Terry's agent, Aaron Lincoln, now in Los Angeles for the team's pre-season tour. "I'm hopeful we will be able to sort all these out," said Buck.
"It's not something where there are negotiations every day. Things happen periodically, but we are not in a super great rush. Sure, we would like to get it done, but there's no deadline and there doesn't need to be. All three have two years left so I don't see there's a great rush, but I do think they should be done properly.
"As for Roman, he's just as enthusiastic as the first day he bought the club. I've seen him several times this summer and, obviously, he's very enthusiastic about Chelsea Football Club. I don't see the slightest reduction in his interest."
Last night Newcastle United was at the centre of a corruption investigation after morning raids by police on three football clubs as part of an investigation into transfer dealings. Officers from the City of London force, which is leading the biggest-ever criminal inquiry into British football, raided the club's offices at Newcastle as well as the offices of Glasgow Rangers and Portsmouth.
The inquiry is focused on two transfers made in January 2005: Amdy Faye from Portsmouth to Newcastle and Jean-Alain Boumsong from Rangers to Newcastle. Although a French international defender, the Boumsong deal raised eyebrows since only six months previously he had arrived at Rangers from the French club Auxerre on a free transfer.
Police visiting Portsmouth's offices at 10am asked for paperwork relating to the transfer of Faye to Newcastle.
City of London police said no arrests were made but added in a statement: "We can confirm that search warrants were served at three football clubs and the homes of two individuals in connection with corruption in football and its impact on owners and shareholders."
Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has revealed talks have opened with Arsene Wenger over a new contract and insists Arsenal have "never been in a better position" going into the new season.
The Frenchman's future at the Emirates Stadium has been the subject of speculation, amid suggestions he might choose not to extend his current contract which expires at the end of the forthcoming campaign.
But Hill-Wood remains confident Wenger will sign up after positive recent talks.
"I very much hope he will (sign). It's very important," he said. "He's done a marvellous job for the last 10 years or so. He looks pretty fit to me and I think he enjoys himself still.
"Hopefully, in the not too distant future we'll have something positive to say about it. I'm confident he'll stay."
Hill-Wood also dismissed talk of a summer of discontent at Arsenal. Wenger's side have been stung by the recent departure of captain and lynchpin Thierry Henry for Barcelona, while the futures of Wenger and midfielder Cesc Fabregas have also been the subject of persistent speculation, although the Spaniard committed his future to the club over the weekend.
But Hill-Wood, chairman of the club since 1982, insists he has full confidence in Wenger's men to mount a genuine title challenge. "I believe we've never been in a better position," he said. "I think the team is absolutely first class. It's a young side still but they're a year older now so they're going to be that much better."
One man who will definitely not form part of Arsenal's future is Julio Baptista, after Wenger confirmed the striker will be heading back to Real Madrid after a mediocre season on loan.
Jose Antonio Reyes, who went to Madrid as part of the Baptista deal, will also be allowed to leave, but Wenger insists he expects winger Freddie Ljungberg to stay despite rumours of a move.
Midfielder Kieran Richardson has completed his move from Manchester United to Sunderland for an undisclosed fee. The 22-year-old signed a four-year deal with the Wearsiders after successfully coming through a medical yesterday morning.
Sunderland manager Roy Keane played alongside Richardson during his new acquisition's five years at Old Trafford.
He said: "I'm delighted that we've been able to bring Kieran to Sunderland. Having worked with him in the past I'm well aware of what a good player and a good lad he is. He's ready for a fresh challenge and hopefully Sunderland will provide that for him."
Richardson spent 2004-05 on loan at West Brom and was instrumental in Albion's last-gasp escape from top-flight relegation.
Richardson said: "It's an exciting move for me. Sunderland is a big club and it's a great move for me."
