More soccer news in brief.

Wenger looking to bolster midfield

ARSENE Wenger admits he needs "one more body" in his Arsenal midfield - but refused to be drawn on whether that would be Gareth Barry.

Wenger has seen his options in the middle of the park depleted following the departures of Mathieu Flamini, veteran Brazilian Gilberto and winger Alexander Hleb.

However, the Arsenal manager would not go into specific targets, with wantaway Barry - booed by Aston Villa fans in their friendly at Walsall - rated around €23million which could prove too high a price.

"We will need one more body in there," Wenger said. "If we find a reasonable target then we will do it - but there is no special name on the list. We have some time. We have until August 31st."

Arsenal may, meanwhile, have cause for concern over the fitness of defender Kolo Toure, who is understood to have contracted a mild strain of malaria while on a holiday to his native Ivory Coast.

Blackburn accept bid for Friedel

BLACKBURN goalkeeper Brad Friedel looks set to leave Ewood Park after the club accepted a bid from an undisclosed Premier League club.

The club looking to land the 37-year-old former US international are thought to be Aston Villa. However, Rovers insisted in a statement "the transfer is conditional to Rovers having a bid for a goalkeeper at another club accepted".

The identity of that target is thought to be Tottenham's Paul Robinson.

• ENGLISH Championship side Norwich City have completed the signing of Republic of Ireland B international midfielder David Bell (24) from Luton Town for an undisclosed fee.

West Ham clinch Behrami deal

WEST Ham United have completed the €6.3 million signing of Switzerland international Valon Behrami from Lazio.

The 23-year-old can play at right-back or in midfield and has signed a five-year deal with the Premier League club after passing a medical.

Behrami, who has 15 caps, played in all three of his country's matches at Euro 2008 and was a regular for Lazio, playing for the Rome side in last year's Champions League.

"I am very happy to sign for West Ham. For me it is a dream come true to play for the club and in the Premier League," Behrami said.

Meanwhile, full back George McCartney (27) has signed a new five-year contract with the club.

Earlier this month, the London club turned down a €5.7 million offer to sell the Northern Ireland defender back to Sunderland. He originally joined West Ham from Sunderland for €1.3 million in 2006.

Kuyt relishing idea of Keane moving to Anfield

LIVERPOOL forward Dirk Kuyt admits he cannot wait for Robbie Keane to arrive at the club.

Anfield manager Rafael Benitez is intent on finalising the Republic of Ireland captain's €25 million move to the club.

Liverpool are expecting to complete the €1.9 million move of teenage Paris St Germain striker David N'Gog and have confirmed the arrival of 18-year-old full-back Emmanuel Mendy from Murcia Deportivo on a three-year deal.

But it is the impending arrival of Keane that is exciting Kuyt. He said: "Keane has played for many years in the Premier League and he has done really well with Spurs and is a massive player for them.

"We all know how well he did for Spurs last season and if he could do the same for us, if he came here, he would be a great signing."

Dunne to keep role as City captain

NEW manager Mark Hughes has confirmed Richard Dunne will retain the captain's armband at Manchester City this season.

It appeared Dunne would be leaving Eastlands during the summer, having stalled over contract talks amid the rancour which accompanied Sven-Goran Eriksson's dismissal.

But the appointment of Hughes helped placate the Irishman, who subsequently signed a new deal.

"It was important for me to understand Richard's position when I arrived here and get it resolved and now everyone is happy," said Hughes of the 28-year-old Dubliner. "He fulfils the captain's role very well and will continue to do so."

Reading land another Hunt

READING have signed striker Noel Hunt from Dundee United after the Scottish club accepted an improved bid for the former Shamrock Rovers man.

The 25-year-old has secured a three-year contract with the English Championship side after United agreed a fee of around €750,000. The Waterford man will join his new team-mates, including brother Stephen, in Sweden today.