SOCCER DIGEST

More news in brief.

Moyes set to sign new deal

DAVID MOYES is expected to sign a new long-term contract before the new season starts next month. The Everton manager, who has just one year left on his current deal, has confirmed that meaningful talks have started with owner and chief executive Bill Kenwright.

The club and manager - who has been in charge at Goodison Park for six years - have held preliminary discussions since towards the end of last term, but nothing had been concluded.

Harte goes on trial with Wolves

IAN HARTE was a surprise addition to the Wolves squad this week.

The former Leeds United full-back has been released by Sunderland and is now a free agent. He's on a two-week trial with Wolverhampton Wanderers and teams up with former Republic of Ireland boss Mick McCarthy.

The 30-year-old Drogheda native will train with the first team this week at the Compton training ground and join the players on their three-match tour of Scotland with games against Dundee, Motherwell, and Kilmarnock.

If Harte, who has been capped 64 times by Ireland, impresses McCarthy enough to earn a contract, he will face stiff opposition from the current occupier of the left back berth, George Elokobi, signed in January and from experienced former Sunderland full back Michael Gray.

Platini presents salary cap manifesto 

CLUBS COULD face limits on what they spend on players' salaries under proposals outlined to European ministers by Uefa president Michel Platini.

In the speech to the council of ministers for European affairs in Brest, Platini also called for curbs on the transfer of players under-18 and greater power for team sports to govern themselves.

Platini spoke of the need to limit a club's total wage bill to a fixed percentage of their income - between 55 per cent and 65 per cent - but this would only be taken with the clubs' agreement.

William Gaillard, Uefa's communications director and Platini's special adviser, said Platini's major task was persuading the EC that football did not fit in with European competition law.

Police interview Birmingham duo

LONDON POLICE are to interview David Gold, the Birmingham City chairman, and Julia Shelton, the Championship club's secretary, on Thursday as part of their investigation into corruption in football.

Gold and Shelton, who will be interviewed as witnesses and not suspects, are expected to be questioned in connection with the allegations of false accounting and conspiracy to defraud which led to the arrests of David Sullivan and Karren Brady in April.

The latest development indicates the police have not completed their inquiry, despite the fact that evidence was delivered to the Crown Prosecution Service last week.

High-profile names are mentioned in the file, including Sullivan, Birmingham's plc chairman, and Brady, the club's managing director. Both Sullivan and Brady strongly deny any wrongdoing.

"They're interviewing David Gold and the club secretary this Thursday," Sullivan said. "They want to interview David as a witness."

Juventus sign midfielder Poulsen

XABI ALONSO'S proposed move from Liverpool to Juventus could be in doubt after the Italian giants completed the signing of the Danish midfielder Christian Poulsen.

The 28-year-old Sevilla star signed for a reported €9.7 million after impressing during his two seasons in the Primera Liga. Alonso, who plays a similar role to Poulsen, has been a €17 million target for Juve.

Poulsen will be formally unveiled later in the week but has not wasted any time in expressing his delight at joining the Italian giants. "I cannot wait to begin my adventure with Juventus," he said. "I know I will be able to earn the confidence of my new fans."

Juve's decision to sign Poulsen was received with mixed emotions by the club's fans, as the player is remembered being involved in an incident with Italy's Francesco Totti in Euro 2004. Poulsen was spat on by the Italian who was subsequently banned for three games.

West Brom vie with Stoke for Carson's services  

WEST BROMWICH ALBION could hijack Stoke City's attempts to sign Scott Carson from Liverpool, with Tony Mowbray believed to be considering a late offer for the England international.

The Albion manager, who has already inquired about Tottenham Hotspur's Paul Robinson, is in the market for a goalkeeper although he will have to move quickly if he is to secure Carson after Liverpool yesterday accepted Stoke's club-record €5 million bid for the player.

It is understood that Carson and his representatives held talks with Stoke yesterday, with the two parties agreeing personal terms to pave the way for the 22-year-old to become the first summer signing at the Britannia Stadium.

Stoke, not surprisingly, are keen to finalise the transfer although Carson, mindful that Blackburn as well as Albion are keen to bring in a new goalkeeper, may well seek to buy time before he commits his future to the newly promoted club.