Liverpool swoop for two new goalkeepers

The true cost of Sander Westerveld's late butter-fingered blunder against Bolton on Monday became clear last night as Liverpool…

The true cost of Sander Westerveld's late butter-fingered blunder against Bolton on Monday became clear last night as Liverpool completed the double goalkeeping signings of Coventry City's highly-rated Chris Kirkland and Feyenoord's Jerzy Dudek.

Kirkland cost an initial £5 million sterling, although the fee could yet rise to £9 million depending upon future honours and international caps. Dudek, whose arrival had appeared unlikely earlier in the day, has cost £4.85 million. Both will be eligible to play in the Champions League first stage, leaving Westerveld out in the cold. Kirkland's move to Anfield could scupper any lingering hopes Everton may have had of enticing Coventry's Magnus Hedman to Merseyside.

Arsenal have reportedly had a £5 million offer for FC Copenhagen's attacking midfielder Sibusiso Zuma rejected. The South African is a target for many clubs including Middlesbrough, who signed the winger Allan Johnston from Rangers for £650,000 yesterday. West Ham's manager Glenn Roeder still hopes to sign Fiorentina's Tomas Repka even though the defender appeared to snub the £5 million move on Thursday.