Soccer Shorts

Ronaldo spurred: Frank Arnesen's former protege Ronaldo has backed the Dane to be a big hit in his new role as sporting director at Spurs - and hinted he may now fancy a move to White Hart Lane himself.

Brazilian Ronaldo was brought to Europe as a teenager by Arnesen during his time at PSV Eindhoven before moving on to Inter Milan and Real Madrid.

Ronaldo, 27, told the Sun: "Frank will be like a breath of fresh air and bigger clubs will be sorry they did not bring him over before.

"Frank going to Tottenham makes me think of England again and it would be ideal to work under him."

Sevilla get Gronkjaer

Sevilla president Jose Maria del Nido has claimed his side have reached an agreement to sign Jesper Gronkjaer.

The Chelsea winger had been in talks with Birmingham but it is Sevilla who claim to have tied up a deal to sign the pacy winger.

"We have reached agreement with Chelsea and with the player for him to come here next week," Del Nido told Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet.

Melchiot moves

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce has completed his fourth summer signing with former Chelsea defender Mario Melchiot joining the club on a Bosman free transfer.

The 27-year-old right-back joins Emile Heskey, Muzzy Izzet and Julian Gray in moving to St Andrews. Melchiot is expected to be paraded before the media at a press conference on Monday.

Fabulous Fabiano

Luis Fabiano was delighted after his last-minute header from Alex's corner saw Brazil beat Chile 1-0 in their opening match in Group C of the Copa America in Arequipa on Thursday.

The world champions are playing the tournament without their major stars and it showed as they failed to string passes together for much of the match.

Earlier, substitute Julio dos Santos's penalty four minutes from time saw Paraguay beat Costa Rica 1-0 in the opening game of Group C in Arequipa.

Pompey plot Red swoop

Portsmouth are plotting a double swoop for Liverpool's African stars El Hadji Diouf and Salif Diao, according to reports in the South Coast club's local newspaper, The News.

Pompey have been in contact with Anfield over possible season-long loan deals for the Senegal international pair and Liverpool are anxious to offload the £15 million duo who have not impressed in their two seasons on Merseyside.

The stumbling block is that Pompey would require Liverpool to pay a percentage of Diouf's £50,000-a-week wages.

Saints' double dealing

Peter Crouch yesterday revealed he was "thrilled" after signing for Southampton in a £2 million deal to bring an end to an unsatisfactory two-and-a-half years at Aston Villa. The 6ft 7in forward has agreed a four-year deal.

Goalkeeper Antti Niemi, meanwhile, has pledged his future to the club, signing an extension to his current contract which will run until June 2008.

Spurs in Postiga swap

Tottenham have signed Porto midfielder Pedro Mendes in a deal which takes striker Helder Postiga back to Portugal. Porto have agreed to pay up to £5 million for Postiga with Spurs spending £2 million for the services of 25-year-old midfielder Mendes.

The White Hart Lane club also confirmed they have agreed to pay Fulham an undisclosed fee for midfielder Sean Davis, who has agreed a four-year deal.

In brief . . .

Chelsea midfielder Mario Stanic has been forced to retire from the game due to a long-standing knee injury . . . Crystal Palace are expected to complete the signing of Tim Cahill from Millwall next week after sorting out the player's personal terms . . . Bolton defender Nicky Hunt has signed a new contract which ties him to the club until 2008.