UK Roundup

Agent denies Vieira agrees on terms with Real Madrid

LONDON (AP) -- Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira hasn't agreed personal terms with Real Madrid, his agent said Wednesday as speculation over the French international's future continued.

Spanish newspaper Marca reported Tuesday that terms were settled, adding that a deal would be completed when the transfer fee was agreed.

"There has been no movement on this," Steve Kutner told Britain's Press Association. "I can tell you nothing has been agreed."

Vieira has been strongly linked with the Spanish club since Florentino Perez was re-elected team president in early July. Perez said he was a fan of the 28-year-old and suggested he would make a bid.

Real also showed an interest in Vieira last summer and in 2001. That led Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood to say earlier this month he was becoming irritated with the rumors.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich reportedly had a verbal bid for Vieira and teammate Thierry Henry rejected last summer.

Vieira captained the Gunners to the Premier League title last season. Arsenal finished the league season unbeaten, collecting 26 wins and 12 draws.

Wenger still confident Vieira will stay

LONDON (Reuters) -- Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said on Wednesday he is confident his captain Patrick Vieira will stay with the English champions despite more speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid.

"I was always very confident (Vieira would stay)," Wenger told Sky Sports News. "I am confident he will stay at Arsenal. I have repeated that before many times. I cannot do much more."

Wenger was speaking after his team had beaten Austrian side Sturm Graz 2-0 in a pre-season friendly.

Spanish newspaper Marca reported on their website on Tuesday that Real Madrid had agreed personal terms with Vieira.

The 28-year-old France midfielder, who has three years left on his contract, arrived in Austria on Saturday with the other Arsenal players who featured in Euro 2004.

Bolton signs Israeli captain

BOLTON, England (AP) -- Bolton signed Israeli captain Tal Ben Haim to a three-year contract Wednesday, hours after completing a deal for former Spain and Real Madrid captain Fernando Hierro.

The 22-year-old Ben Haim, who joined from Israel's Maccabi Tel Aviv, spent the last two weeks on loan with Bolton.

"Tal is the biggest name to come out of Israeli football since Eyal Berkovic," Bolton manager Sam Allardyce said, referring to the Portsmouth midfielder.

"He has all the right attributes to make it in the Premiership."

The defender helped Maccabi win the Israeli league title last season. He's started 14 games for Israel.

"For such a young man, he has a great deal of experience and will relish the prospect of progressing his career in the most physically demanding league in the world," Allardyce said.

Hierro, another defender, signed a one-year deal. The 36-year-old earned 89 caps with Spain and played in four World Cups. He won five league titles and three European Cups at Real Madrid.

Hierro played in Qatar last season.

Bolton, which finished eighth in 2003-04, has also signed midfielder Gary Speed and forwards Les Ferdinand and Michael Bridges this summer.

Bolton signs former Spain captain Hierro

LONDON (Reuters) -- Bolton Wanderers have signed former Spain captain and Real Madrid defender Fernando Hierro on a one-year contract, the premier league club said on Wednesday.

The deal is subject to Bolton getting international clearance for the 36-year-old.

"The signing of Hierro is a major coup for Bolton," manager Sam Allardyce said on the club's website.

"Most people in the game know him as a defender but he has played most of his career as a midfielder and we now have the flexibility of playing him in those two areas."

"After spending a year in Qatar, he is desperate to make an impression again in mainstream European football," he added.

Hierro, who has 89 caps, spent last season playing for Qatar's Al Rayyan.

He was sacked by Real along with coach Vicente del Bosque in July 2003 after 14 years with the club, during which he won six Spanish league titles and three European Cups.

Hierro will join compatriot and former Real team mate Ivan Campo, who has become an ever-present member of Bolton's first team since signing in August 2002.

Bolton's other recent signings include midfielder Gary Speed, defender Radhi Jaidi and strikers Les Ferdinand and Michael Bridges.

Portsmouth get go-ahead to redevelop stadium

LONDON (Reuters) -- Portsmouth have received the green light to redevelop their Fratton Park stadium, the English premier league club's website reported on Wednesday.

Portsmouth council made the decision after a public meeting at the city's Guildhall gave the go-ahead to increase the stadium's capacity, in two phases, from around 20,000 to 28,000 and then up to 35,000.

"I promised fans when I first came here that I would deliver a Premier League team and a stadium to match," said Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric.

"One dream was fulfilled and now the other is not far behind and it will be a wonderful sight to behold."

Portsmouth were promoted to the premier league last year after 15 years out of the top flight, finishing 13th in the 20-team standings in their first season back.

Liverpool: Barcelona wants Cisse on loan

LIVERPOOL, England (AP) -- Barcelona wants to take Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse on loan this season, Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry said Wednesday.

Parry made the announcement on Liverpool's Web site, adding that the club had no plans to offload the 14 million pound ($US25.5 million) summer signing from Auxerre.

"The idea of us allowing a player we have spent so much money on to go to Barcelona on loan even before he has kicked a ball for us is just incredible," Parry said.

"Why on earth would we do that? It is a sign of the times that they can even contemplate such a move for a player we have just spent a record transfer fee on."

Cisse scored 26 goals for Auxerre in 2003-04.

Gazza close to signing with Boston United

BOSTON, England (AP) -- Former England star Paul Gascoigne said Wednesday he was "110 percent" sure of signing with division three Boston United as a player-coach.

The 37-year-old agreed in principle to take up the position Tuesday and played in a friendly against Newcastle on Tuesday evening.

"The chairman is happy, and I am happy," Gascoigne said. "I am 110 percent sure I will sign for Boston United."

Club chairman Jon Sotnick was "optimistic" a deal would be completed soon.

"We are forming a good relationship with Paul," Sotnick said. "He's conducted himself impeccably so far, and I'm very optimistic."

Gascoigne earned 57 caps with England and starred at World Cup 1990 and Euro 1996. He has played with several big clubs in Europe, including Lazio, Rangers and Tottenham, and had a stint as a player-coach in China last year.

Gascoigne has also made news off the field, battling drinking problems throughout his career.

Keegan hoping Wright-Phillips signs before opener

MANCHESTER, England (AP) -- Manchester City manager Kevin Keegan is hoping key midfielder Shaun Wright-Phillips will sign a contract extension before the season begins.

The 22-year-old scored 11 goals in 2003-04 and was called up by England for the first time. He still has two years left on his current deal.

"I think everyone knows we want to keep him here," Keegan told City's Web site Wednesday. "As far as I am concerned he is the heart and soul of Manchester City. He has never shown any sign of wanting to go elsewhere, so we will just get on with the discussions."

Manchester City plays Fulham in its league opener on Aug. 14.

Gravesen to wait before re-signing

LIVERPOOL, England (AP) -- Danish international midfielder Thomas Gravesen won't sign a new contract with Everton until the club makes progress in the transfer market, manager David Moyes said Wednesday.

Everton, which finished one place above the relegation zone last season, has signed Australian midfielder Tim Cahill and forward Marcus Bent this summer.

But striker Tomasz Radzinski left for Fulham, and England star Wayne Rooney has yet to decide whether he'll accept a new five-year contract.

"I have spoken to Thomas about the situation, and he told me that he wants to see Everton are making progress," Moyes told Everton's Web site.

"But he also said that if we do that, he would have no hesitation in staying. It means the ball is in our court, and we need to make him think that Everton can compete again."

Gravesen, a two-way player, has one year left on his current contract.

Both the Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.