Nuno Gomes signs for Fiorentina

Portuguese international Nuno Gomes has signed a five-year deal with Italian Serie A side Fiorentina, according to Lisbon newspapers yesterday. The 24-year-old Benfica player, Portugal's fourth-choice striker before Euro 2000, and one of the major revelations of the tournament, is reported to have cost the Italian club $18.7 million.

Agreement was reached following three hours of negotiations early yesterday morning between Fiorentina president Vittorio Cecchi Gori and Benfica president Vale e Azevedo.

Gomes was a prolific scorer for Portugal at junior levels of football and became much sought after following the European championships.

But he faces an eight-month UEFA ban for his role in the fracas which followed Portugal's Euro 2000 semi-final defeat by France, when he pushed the referee in a free-for-all which ensued when the French won on a controversial penalty.

Meanwhile, Leeds are already discussing a new deal with manager David O'Leary even though he still has four years to run on his current contract, chairman Peter Ridsdale said yesterday.

Ridsdale said that he wants the Irishman to become the longest-serving manager in Britain. Ridsdale said: "He has four more years on his contract and we are currently talking to him about a new deal. We want to extend the length of the contract and increase what he earns.

"Alex Ferguson joined Manchester United in 1986 and my aim is to see David O'Leary break his record. I want David to be the longest serving manager in this country," he told the Sunday People.

As regards Ferguson's possible successor at United, bookmakers have reacted with scepticism after reported remarks by Eric Cantona that he would like to become Manchester United manager.

William Hill are quoting him at 50-1 to take over at Old Trafford when Ferguson steps down. Steve Bruce, an ex-United stalwart and currently manager of first division Huddersfield, is 6-4 favourite.

Ferguson is due to go in two years time but Hills are offering 10-1 against him departing before the end of the coming season. One tabloid paper carried a report yesterday linking him with Barcelona.