CHELSEA today completed the signing of Italian midfielder Roberto Di Matteo from Lazio for a club record £4.9 million, to complete a remarkable week of Premiership transfer activity.
Di Matteo becomes Chelsea's second Italian star following the recruitment of Gianluca Vialli, and joins just two days after the signing of French defender Franck Leboeuf from Strasbourg for £2.5 million their previous record buy.
This week, Middlesbrough, snapped up Di Matteo's international team mate Fabriziof Ravanelli for £7 million, while West Ham padded top foreign stars Paulo Futre from AC Milan and Florin Raducioiu of Espanol to their squad.
Di Matteo claimed that Italy's Serie A was still the strongest league in the world. But he admitted. "The Premier League will have caught up in two or three years' time. It is very strong, both competitively and physically.
That is why so many top players want to come to England".
Di Matteo, who has signed a four year deal, was also wanted by Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund but said. "The most important factor in choosing Chelsea was that Ruud Gullit wanted me here at all costs",
Professional Football Association chief executive Gordon Taylor has warned that the current flood of overseas imports will damage the development of young English players.
But Gullit's assistant Graham Rix said. "It can only help our young lads to watch and learn from great players like Ruud, Vialii, Leboeuf and now Di Matteo. I don't think it will do them any harm whatsoever".
Di Matteo will wear the No 16 shirt at Chelsea and said he was looking forward to linking up with fellow countryman Vialii.
Double winners Manchester United have strengthened their squad with the £2.7 million capture of Norwegian internationals Ronnie Johnsen and Ole Gunnar Solskjar.
Central defender Ronnie Johnsen joins from Turkish club Besiktas for £1.2 million on a five year deal, while striker Solskjar comes from Norwegian club Molde for £1.5 million.
Manager Alex Ferguson said. "If I am delighted with the signings. Ronnie is tall, quick and strong in the tackle. He will provide excellent competition for places in defence. He is experienced and will have little difficulty in settling in.
"As for Ole, he is a player for the future, but he's certainly a forward who has an eye for goal."
Nottingham Forest boss Frank Clark has confirmed that he is planning transfer talks with the Croatian Euro `96 star Nikola Jerkan.
The 31 year old defender is due to arrive in Nottingham this weekend to discuss a move and Clark is hoping to strike a deal to make him the fourth Croatian in the Premiership.
Derby have Igor Stimac and Aljosa Asanovic in their ranks and West Ham have Slaven Bilic.
Clark is believed to have already agreed a fee of £1 million with his Spanish club Real Oviedo.
Meanwhile, striker Dean Saunders is expected to complete the formalities of his £1.5 million move to the City Ground from Galatasaray on Monday. Clark has agreed a fee with the Turkish side and sorted out personal terms with the 32 year old Welsh international.
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