News round-up: Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy was yesterday given the green light to strengthen his squad as Jeff Whitley signed and Gary Breen prepared to undergo a medical.
Republic of Ireland international Breen is expected to sign within the next 48 hours provided he gets the all-clear from medical staff. Former Manchester City midfielder Whitley, released at the end of last season, has agreed an 11-month deal.
McCarthy's double swoop comes after a frustrating summer during which he has seen other targets snapped up by competitors while he has waited for some of his highest earners to be offloaded before making his move.
Frederic Kanoute last night joined Tottenham for €5 million after satisfying the club that he has fully recovered from the groin problems which plagued him last season.
Kanoute missed four months of West Ham's relegation battle because of injury, but passed a rigorous medical at Spurs to take Glenn Hoddle's summer spending on strikers to more than €15.7 million. The Frenchman follows the arrivals of Helder Postiga for €8.9 million and Bobby Zamora for €2.14 million.
Despite the new arrival, Hoddle intends to continue spending. Spurs are trying to broker a deal with PSV for the midfielder Mark van Bommel, and the Dutchman suggested he might consider the move.
"White Hart Lane is one of my favourite grounds and Spurs are a great club with great tradition," he said. "It is my dream to come into the Premiership and I could even play for Spurs if the move was right for me."
The Tottenham winger Matthew Etherington, rated at €1.4 million, has moved to West Ham as part of the Kanoute transfer.
"It is important to fill the wide left position," said manager Glenn Roeder, who sold the England winger Trevor Sinclair to Manchester City earlier this summer. "It is very easy to see that we haven't got natural width in the team."
West Ham are seeking to reinforce their forward line after losing Kanoute and have made an inquiry about taking Neil Mellor on loan from Liverpool. The 20-year-old, who made a handful of appearances last season, has yet to be asked whether he would be interested in a temporary switch.
Arsenal yesterday continued their summer of small spending by buying the 18-year-old left back Gael Clichy from Cannes for €357,000. The French teenager impressed Arsene Wenger during a pre-season trial and is likely to act as one of Ashley Cole's understudies. Arsenal had already allowed their young Brazilian left-back, Juan, to join Millwall on loan.
Clichy's arrival extends Wenger's pattern of buying cheap young talent from abroad. The Swiss centre half Philippe Senderos joined for €700,000 last season.
Southampton expect to sign the Scotland midfielder Neil McCann from Rangers for €2.14 million. The clubs have agreed the fee and the 28-year-old has been offered a four-year contract subject to a medical.
McCann can play at left midfield or as a forward, and Southampton's chairman Rupert Lowe said: "Gordon Strachan has wanted him for a long time so I'm delighted to have got him."
McCann's arrival means the final transfer target is not likely to be the Real Sociedad winger Javier de Pedro, though Southampton said the player was keen to sign a pre-contract agreement in January to come to St Mary's on a Bosman free next summer.
Guardian Service
