Niemi won't go for a songHarry Redknapp insists Antti Niemi will not leave Southampton for less than £2 million. The Finnish goalkeeper seems sure to leave Saints following their relegation to the English Championship and Celtic are expected to lead the chase.
With former Southampton boss Gordon Strachan installed as the new Celtic boss, he could try to sign Niemi for a second time, having taken him from Hearts to St Mary's in 2002.
The fee then was £2million, and Redknapp vowed yesterday: "That is at least what Celtic will have to pay if they want him and if he wants to go. He is one of the top four of five goalkeepers in the country and he certainly won't be cheap. "
Should Niemi leave, Redknapp is safe in the knowledge that former Brentford goalkeeper Paul Smith should be a sound replacement.
Murphy moves overseas
Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy yesterday added a new element of youth to his side with the £100,000 signing of Irish striker Daryl Murphy.
The 22-year-old Waterford United marksman, a Republic of Ireland under-21 colleague of Sunderland forward Stephen Elliott, has signed a two-year deal.
"I am absolutely delighted to come to a club as big as Sunderland," he said. "There is a fantastic fan base, they love their football and to play in front of such a passionate crowd will be fantastic. As soon as I saw the stadium and the training ground I wanted to come here."
Spain calls Kluivert back
Valencia have agreed to sign former Newcastle striker Patrick Kluivert in a bid to return to the top of Spanish football.
The 2004 Primera Liga champions, who fell apart last season and finished seventh following coach Rafael Benitez' departure to Liverpool, have reached agreement on a three-year deal with the Dutchman.
"Valencia have reached a preliminary agreement with Dutch player Patrick Kluivert for the next three seasons with an option for an additional year," a statement on the official Valencia website said yesterday.
In brief . . .
Middlesbrough's chief executive Keith Lamb last night ridiculed claims that Luis Figo was leaving Real Madrid for Teesside. "We have absolutely no interest in Figo," Lamb said . . . Mathew Upson has been linked with a move to Middlesbrough after rejecting a contract offer from Birmingham . . . There was enhanced speculation yesterday that Newcastle United have edged ahead of Everton in the race to sign Chelsea midfielder Scott Parker . . . AC Milan are confident they can seal a deal with Chelsea which will see them sign Hernan Crespo on a permanent basis in an agreement that will see Georgian defender Kakha Kaladze move to Stamford Bridge. . . Fredrik Ljungberg has warned Arsenal that he could leave the club "if they don't match my ambitions" and sign some world-class players in an effort to win the Champions League . . . Celtic defender Ulrik Laursen has confirmed Leicester City have made enquiries about his availability . . . Newly promoted English League Two side Scunthorpe have completed the signing of Stockport's Waterford-born defender Jim Goodwin, who won one senior Republic of Ireland cap in 2003.
