Soccer digest

Nugent on the move

David Nugent has reportedly agreed to join Portsmouth from Preston in a €8.9-million deal after having new talks with the Premiership club. Portsmouth have yet to confirm the news but according to local media reports Nugent will complete the move after the expected formality of taking a medical today.

The 22-year-old was high on Sunderland's wanted list but manager Roy Keane pulled out of a potential deal because of the length of time it was taking to reach agreement.

Arsenal keep quiet

Arsenal are yet to respond to reports they are about to sign the French full back Bakary Sagna from Auxerre and allow Freddie Ljungberg to leave for Fiorentina.

The French sports daily L'Équipe claim Sagna (24) is currently in London and ready to complete a medical once the two clubs agree on a fee, while reports from Italy indicate Fiorentina are confident of beating off rival interest from Sunderland and Manchester City for the Sweden midfielder Ljungberg.

Meanwhile,

William Gallas claims there are doubts among the Arsenal squad over the direction the club is taking.

The 29-year-old France defender said on www.williamgallas.net: "What is sure is that several players are questioning the club's future. Around us, all the teams are recruiting but what is planned to compensate for the departure of Titi Henry?"

City move for Bianchi

Manchester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has made striker Rolando Bianchi one of his top targets in his first week in charge.

Bianchi scored 18 goals for Reggina last season. The 24-year-old finished fourth-highest scorer in Serie A last season and has been courted by several clubs across Europe.

Reggina are ready to cash in on one of their prize assets and claim they have reached a €13-million "preliminary agreement" with City for his services.

Meanwhile, a Thai court has ordered the ousted prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, the new owner of City, to appear for a corruption trial on August 14th.

In brief . . .

West Ham have confirmed the signing of Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy (27) for a fee of €11 million . . . Jason Koumas (27) has completed a €7.8-million move to Wigan from West Brom . . . Fulham have signed West Brom striker Diomansy Kamara (26) for a fee believed to be in the region of €8.9 million . . . Cardiff City have signed Trevor Sinclair (34) from Manchester City . . . Former Liverpool and Lyon manager Gerard Houllier claims he has rejected the advances of Dynamo Kiev . . . Blackpool have confirmed they are still awaiting a decision from Fifa concerning financial irregularities of the transfer of Irish winger Wes Hoolahan from Livingston . . . Kilkenny City have announced that manager Brendan Rea has parted company with the club because of family and work commitments.