Ljungberg's new dealArsenal midfielder Freddie Ljungberg yesterday committed his long-term future to the club by extending his contract until summer 2009. While Patrick Vieira has departed this summer and Robert Pires remains circumspect with regards to his future, the news that Ljungberg is staying with the Gunners will be warmly received.

The Swedish international's existing contract had been due to expire next summer, but by signing on for a further three years the 28-year-old has signalled his intention to remain with the FA Cup winners into his 30s. "I've been at Arsenal nearly seven years now and am really happy to have signed a new contract with the club," Ljungberg told www.arsenal.com.

Lyon want player

Lyon confirmed last night they want to take one of Chelsea's first-team squad as part payment in any deal for Michael Essien. It remained a mystery which player the French champions were lining up, although their president Jean-Michel Aulas hinted they would seek a direct replacement for the Ghanaian midfielder. Aulas also accused Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho of "unceasingly" telephoning Essien, suggesting the former Porto boss would be better off calling him and directly negotiating with Lyon.

"They shouldn't take French clubs for fools," Aulas told French newspaper Progres.

"Michael is worth between €45 and €50 million and because time has been wasted if we are to recruit if Essien leaves us now, I estimate that our player will leave for €45 million, while bringing in one Chelsea player."

Bowyer has doubts

Lee Bowyer has cast fresh uncertainty over his future at Newcastle United with a thinly veiled attack on the club chairman Freddy Shepherd. Speaking after Newcastle's 2-1 defeat in the first leg of their Intertoto Cup-tie at Deportivo La Coruna on Wednesday night, in which Bowyer scored Newcastle's goal, the controversial midfielder said: "I want to play for a team that wants me."

Bowyer was referring to Shepherd's apparent desire to get him out of the club, detailed embarrassingly in the former manager Bobby Robson's newly published autobiography. "There have been things said this summer, and I was not wanted. So that is not for me to say, it is down to the chairman," Bowyer added.

"He was trying to get rid of me and asking other clubs to come in for me. That is never nice for a footballer who gives his all in every game and to find that out was disappointing."

Shelley not to join

Former Bohemians defender Brian Shelley has informed Shamrock Rovers that he no longer wishes to join the club following an inquiry by league officials into claims that neither he nor Marc Kenny would be paid anything other than an nominal sum in expenses to play for the club. Kenny, however, should be available for Sunday's match against Bray, writes Emmet Malone. Meanwhile, St Patrick's Athletic midfielder Keith Fahey yesterday signed for Drogheda with Alan Reilly moving the other way with the Dublin club getting an undisclosed fee for the 22-year-old.

Row after defeat

Ruud van Nistelrooy's anger spilled over again in Tokyo last night as the Dutch striker was involved in a furious face-to-face row with team-mate Rio Ferdinand. The Dutch striker, who was involved in ugly incidents with opposition players during the first two matches of Manchester United's pre-season tour, turned his ire on a team-mate at the National Stadium as United slipped to a 2-1 defeat to Kashima Antlers.

Van Nistelrooy has yet to score on United's Far East trip and his frustration came to the fore again close to the end of last night's contest when Ferdinand hesitated over a routine pass to the striker from the halfway line and allowed himself to be tackled. The incident brought furious gesticulating from van Nistelrooy, who had been lurking on the edge of the area waiting for a pass. And the former PSV man's anger had clearly still not subsided at the final whistle as he clashed with Ferdinand, who exchanged obscenities over the matter.

Nunez to leave

Liverpool's Spanish midfielder Antonio Nunez has said he will sign a three-year deal with newly-promoted Primera Liga side Celta Vigo. "We've reached an agreement and all that remains is for me to put pen to paper," the 26-year-old told Radio Marca yesterday.

Nunez joined Liverpool from Real Madrid last August as part of the deal which took England striker Michael Owen in the opposite direction. He injured knee ligaments almost as soon as he made the switch to Anfield and had to wait until late November before making his debut. He struggled to make an impact with his new side and has been linked to a return to Spain for several months.