Saga over, adieu Edu

Soccer Shorts: Arsenal's midfielder Edu has revealed he hopes to complete his move to Valencia within the next two days.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted that Edu is on his way out of Highbury after the 26-year-old refused to sign a new deal.

Reports in Spain claim the Brazilian has already signed a pre-contract agreement with Claudio Ranieri's outfit, and it now seems inevitable that he is on his way to the defending Primera Liga champions.

"I am willing to make every effort for Valencia," Edu said. "I want this to finish as soon as possible, because I do not want to spend the rest of the season without playing a single minute. I hope this is over in less than 24 or 48 hours."

Alonso hopes eternal

Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso claims he has not given up hope of playing again this season and insists he does not bear any grudge against Chelsea's Frank Lampard for the tackle which broke his ankle.

He said: "I have already started work in the gym and am fulfilling certain goals. I am an optimistic person and want to think that I'll return to play this season."

Meanwhile, Anthony Le Tallec has returned to Anfield after a loan spell at French side St Etienne. The 20-year-old forward's return will give manager Rafael Benitez another striking option, with compatriots Djibril Cisse and Florent Sinama-Pongolle on the injured list.

Anelka off to the east

Nicolas Anelka is close to completing his move from Manchester City to Turkish side Fenerbahce.

City are reported to have agreed a fee of £7 million for the 25-year-old French striker and he is believed to have flown out to Turkey yesterday.

The Preniership side have completing the signing of Dutch midfielder Kiki Musampa on a six-month loan from Atletico Madrid and agreed to send Christian Negouai out on loan to Coventry.

Hartley left to stew

Hearts midfielder Paul Hartley was in limbo last night as he awaited an improved bid from Celtic.

The Glasgow club, who yesterday handed a trial to Cameroon international defender Bill Tchato and are in talks with Marcin Burkhardt, were also having to play a waiting game with target Stephane Henchoz still to make a decision.

Celtic have had a £200,000 bid rejected for 28-year-old Hartley but they are expected to increase their offer although they will be reluctant to go near the £500,000 Hearts want.

Another player touted for a move from Celtic is on-loan striker Henri Camara, but his club Wolves may prevent him moving to Southampton - who are interested in the 27-year-old.

Jol's spree nears end

Tottenham's head coach Martin Jol yesterday suggested that he had withdrawn his interest in Crystal Palace's Wayne Routledge until next summer and added that he did not expect to make any more signings this month.

Spurs remained busy in the transfer market, sealing a deal to take the Finland midfielder Teemu Tainio on a Bosman free from Auxerre at the end of the season, having already acquired the strikers Mido and Mounir El Hamdaoui and added two young midfielders, David Limbersky and Emil Hallfredsson, to their squad.

However, they are also in talks with the 30-year-old Czech goalkeeper Radek Cerny about a move from Slavia Prague.

Referee comes clean

Robert Hoyzer has admitted to fixing matches in Germany. The referee is accused of placing bets on matches under his command, the most famous of which saw third division side Paderborn beat SV Hamburg 4-2 in a cup game.

"The accusations made against me in public are true," said Hoyzer. "I regret my behaviour."

Wired for a sound call

English referees' boss Keith Hackett is looking to improve communication between match officials by using radio systems during games in a bid to avoid a repeat of some recent controversies.

Hackett is looking into technology, which would enable referees to stay in touch with their two assistants and fourth official, during games.

In brief . . .

Rangers yesterday admitted defeat in their bid to re-sign former captain Barry Ferguson from Blackburn Rovers following a failed bid of £3.5 million, which could have risen to £4 million, for the midfielder . . . Norwich manager Nigel Worthington is prepared to offer Craig Bellamy a way out of Newcastle - providing it is a loan deal. . . Birmingham City manager Steve Bruce has signed his 20-year-old son Alex from Blackburn. . . Leicester have terminated the contract of 38-year-old defender Martin Keown by mutual consent . . . Southampton are giving a trial to the PSV Eindhoven right back Michael Lamey . . . Besiktas have sacked their former Real Madrid coach Spanish coach Vicente del Bosque after eight months in charge . . . England have been forced to kick off their World Cup qualifier clash with Northern Ireland at Old Trafford on Saturday, March 26th, at 3 p.m. due to public order concerns despite that time clashing with lower division matches .. . The English FA have scrapped thousands of copies of a DVD claiming to feature the best post-war England internationals as it did not include a black player.