Morrison set for Premiership with Bruce's Birmingham

Birmingham City manager Steve Bruce is finally expected to conclude his summer-long search for a striker before the weekend by signing one of his former Crystal Palace players, Clinton Morrison.

The 23-year-old Republic of Ireland international, who scored 21 league goals last season and formed the first division's most potent partnership with Dougie Freedman, impressed Bruce during his brief spell as Palace manager a year ago. Bruce had tried to sign Morrison before the transfer deadline in March but Palace still had a chance of qualifying for the play-offs and were not willing to sell.

Palace have subsequently had a change of heart and are understood to want £4 million for Morrison, which is £1 million more than the new Premiership club are prepared to pay. Consequently the clubs have compromised by agreeing a cash-plus-player exchange deal with Palace asked to make a choice between two Birmingham players.

Sunderland have signed the former Everton goalkeeper Thomas Myhre from the Turkish club Besiktas. The 28-year-old Norwegian has moved to the Stadium of Light on a Bosman free transfer, signing a three-year deal after spending only eight months in Turkey. Myhre had also been loaned to Birmingham City and Tranmere Rovers.

Ipswich's goalkeeper Matteo Sereni will return to Italy to play for Brescia. The Serie A side have announced a one-year loan deal for the 27-year-old with a buy-out option at the end of the contract.

Everton's manager David Moyes has confirmed his interest in signing Arsenal goalkeeper Richard Wright, who may remain behind David Seaman in the Highbury pecking-order should the England player, as expected, sign a new contract.

The Italian Supercup, the traditional curtain-raiser to the Serie A season, will be held in Tripoli in Libya. Juventus, who take on Parma, have close links with the country, with the Libyan Arab Foreign Investment company holding a 7.5 per cent stake in the Turin-based club.

The mystery surrounding the ownership of Chelsea deepened last night when someone formerly connected to Egypt's secret police emerged as a major shareholder. In a statement to the stock exchange the London club's parent company Chelsea Village said it had been notified that Dr Ashraf Marwan was now the owner of a 3.2 per cent stake.

The Egyptian financier, who is a son-in-law of the late president Gamal Abdel Nasser, has an interesting past in the City of London. He was an associate of the colourful wheeler-dealer Tiny Rowland, who headed the Lonhro conglomerate and was involved in a long-running battle with Fulham's owner Mohammed Al Fayed over the ownership of Harrods.

Juninho's proposed return to Middlesbrough moved a step closer yesterday after his father and agent, Osvaldo Giroldo, confirmed that he intends to step up negotiations.

Middlesbrough have already agreed an unconfirmed fee with Atletico Madrid for the Brazilian World Cup winner and confirmed that both parties had opened talks to bring the player back to Teesside.

Watford officials have refused to comment on speculation that Tony Adams is in line to take over the vacant manager's job at Vicarage Road. Reports suggest the 35-year-old Arsenal defender has held two rounds of talks with the Hornets, who are looking for a replacement for Italian Gianluca Vialli.

Club spokesman Andrew French said: "We will make an announcement when there's one to be made."

Adams has also been linked with Brighton and Brentford as he looks to take his first step into management.

Tickets for Shelbourne's game against Manchester United at Tolka Park on Saturday week will go on sale at the club offices today. There will be a limited number of schoolboys tickets for the open stand available at €10, with adult seating for the same area priced at €20.

Prices then go up to €25 for the Drumcondra stand and those hoping to secure a place in the main stand will have to pay €30. United are expected to bring a full squad to the match. Shelbourne FC can be contacted at ph: 8375536 or 8375754.