Carini expected to push Seaman for Arsenal start

Arsenal will sign the Uruguay goalkeeper Fabian Carini on a season's loan from Juventus today, provided Richard Wright completes his £5 million move to Everton as expected. Jon Brodkin and Dominic Fifield report

Carini will arrive for a downpayment of £1 million-plus, and Arsene Wenger would then have an option to make the transfer permanent next summer.

The 22-year-old played in all three of Uruguay's games at the World Cup and has almost 40 caps. He is available as he cannot dislodge Gianliugi Buffon at Juventus.

Wright needs only to pass today's medical to secure his transfer to Goodison Park, having accepted a £250,000-a-year pay cut to join a club where he can expect to be first choice.

The £6 million signing from Ipswich never overhauled David Seaman in his one season at Arsenal, although he played in all of their FA Cup games except the final. But Seaman is likely to face considerable competition from Carini, regarded as one of the world's best young goalkeepers.

Carini made his international debut aged 19 and played a key part in taking his country to the World Cup, appearing in all but one of the 20 qualifiers.

His chances have been limited in his two seasons behind Buffon at Juventus, and he has not played in Serie A. But he kept an impressive clean sheet at home to Arsenal in his sole Champions League match last March, getting the nod because Juventus had been eliminated.

By selling Wright and paying only about a quarter of that to take Carini, Wenger has raised the first portion of the money he wants for the purchase of PSV Eindhoven's Mark van Bommel.

The Arsenal manager is not willing to meet PSV's £14.5 million asking price, but hopes to force through a deal in the next fortnight, and is still seeking to offload Nwanwko Kanu to bring in additional funds.

If he fails to land Van Bommel, Wenger may turn to Brazil's Gilberto Silva, who is available for £6 million from Atletico Mineiro.

Wright's arrival at Everton would end David Moyes' search for a goalkeeper.

"He will be a good signing because he is just exactly what we are after," said the manager, who has signed the Brazilian striker Juliano Rodrigo from Botagofo on a 12-month loan.

The 26-year-old will initially cost £1.25 million, with the option of a permanent deal for a further £3 million. Rodrigo, an attacking midfielder or forward, has been on trial at Goodison.

Southampton are giving a trial to the 23-year-old South Korea defender Song Chong Gug. West Ham are not taking on the Espanyol forward Oscar Garcia after a trial.

Victor Sikora has joined Ajax after his transfer to Fulham fell through because of the club's insistence on paying Vitesse Arnhem for the winger in instalments. Fulham have said their proposal was down to doubts over Sikora's long-term fitness and not financial problems.