United lose the race for Thuram

French defender Lilian Thuram has opted to move to Juventus. No fee has been confirmed with Parma for the 29year-old, but it believed to be £22 million, a move which would make Thuram the most expensive defender in history.

Thuram, who was on Alex Ferguson's wish-list for Manchester United this summer and was also a target of Lazio, said: "It was very easy to choose. I spoke with my team-mates and other people and asked their advice. I had to choose Juventus because they are the best club there is.

"In the five years that I have been in Parma, I've tried to make them a strong team, but in the end I understand that only the big clubs are going to win everything. I chose Juventus because they can help me to satisfy my hunger to win all trophies."

Thuram will earn £2.2 million a season and joins fellow France internationals Zinedine Zidane and David Trezeguet at the Delli Alpi.

Dennis Wise will soon end his 11-year association with Chelsea after agreeing personal terms with Leicester. The £1.6 million deal for the 34-year-old midfielder will go through on Thursday, subject to a medical, and he will be unveiled next week when the Leicester manager Peter Taylor returns from holiday.

"Dennis is the kind of player that we could do with," Taylor has admitted. "He is a winner and will be a great asset. There were times with us last season when maybe there weren't enough leaders on the pitch. Dennis is a leader."

Wise joined Chelsea in July 1990 for £1.6 million from Wimbledon, who he helped to win the FA Cup two years earlier. Even at this veteran stage of his career, Wise played in 36 of Chelsea's 38 Premiership matches last season.

The Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier was last night close to agreeing a fee of £4.5 million with Monaco for John Arne Riise after settling personal terms with the Norwegian under-21 international. Riise underwent a medical at Anfield yesterday and signed a five-year contract despite negotiations between the two clubs continuing. As part of the deal, the 20-year-old's former club Aalesund will be entitled to 25 per cent of the transfer fee.

"I have agreed personal terms," said Riise, who plays in midfield or as a left wing-back. "Gerard Houllier is now in Monaco negotiating with my current club and I hope they will agree to the move."

"We've agreed a deal with the player," confirmed Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry. "He will be joining us subject to the results of his medical and finalising the deal with AS Monaco."

Houllier interrupted a family holiday in the south of France in the hope of snapping up one of Scandinavia's more promising young players, one who played a significant role in Monaco's 19992000 title-winning campaign.

Riise almost joined Leeds last season after falling out with the Monaco coach Claude Puel.

Leicester are unhappy with the "joke" attack from Coventry City chairman Bryan Richardson regarding their bid for striker John Hartson. Richardson delivered the attack after claiming Leicester had made a £1 million bid for the Welsh international.

Leicester are unhappy because Richardson declined to mention that any club buying Hartson will also have to pick up another £3 million tab as part of the arrangement Coventry had with Wimbledon when signing Hartson. That means, in reality, Leicester would be paying £4 million if they landed Hartson.

Hibernian broke the club's transfer record yesterday when they persuaded the Ecuadorian Ulises de la Cruz that his immediate future will best be served at Easter Road.

The 27-year-old wing-back, who attracted interest from Italy, France and Spain, arrives from Liga Deportiva Universitaria for £700,000 on a four-year deal.

Newcastle's chief executive David Stonehouse has resigned after 14 months in the post, citing "personal reasons". Stonehouse, previously finance director at Sunderland, replaced Freddie Fletcher in the wake of the Save Our Seats court case. He will be succeeded by Russell Cushing, the company secretary.

The manager Bobby Robson is hoping to sign the Atletico Madrid striker Kiko after the 29-year-old confirmed yesterday he will be leaving the club. Atletico missed out on promotion on Sunday, prompting Kiko to call time on his eight years in the capital.

"The time has come for me to leave," he said. "Two weeks ago I signed an agreement to leave as a free agent. I don't know where I will be going, but I would like to play abroad."

Kevin Gallacher, granted a free transfer by Newcastle last month, is set to join first division Preston while Bolton have released Nicky Summerbee.

Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren continued his clear-out of backroom staff yesterday by releasing reserve coach David Geddis, who had been at the club for 10 years.

Alan Smith has been suspended for the first two games of Leeds' UEFA Cup campaign.