SoccerShorts

Kluivert deal secured: Dutch international striker Patrick Kluivert signed for Newcastle United yesterday.

The 28-year-old, who was told by Barcelona in May he could leave the club despite having another year to run on his, has signed a three-year deal on Tyneside.

Leaving St James' Park, though, is Hugo Viana who has re-joined his former club Sporting Lisbon on a year-long loan.

The 21-year-old Portuguese player signed for the Magpies for £8.5 million in June 2002 but has failed to hold down a first-team place in Bobby Robson's side.

Chelsea nab Tiago

Chelsea have signed Portugal midfielder Tiago Mendes from Benfica on a three-year deal.

The 23-year-old, whose fee was not disclosed, had completed a medical on Monday and will be part of a 23-man squad flying out to the United States today for a pre-season tour.

A member of the Portugal squad that reached the Euro 2004 final, although he did not get a game throughout the tournament, Tiago is Chelsea's fourth new recruit under new Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho after Ivory Coast forward Didier Drogba, Serbia and Montenegro striker Mateja Kezman and defender and Portugal team-mate Paulo Ferreira.

Rooney deal doubtful

Wayne Rooney is scheduled to return to Everton for the first time since Euro 2004 today, when he is set to reject the club's offer of a new contract.

While Everton insisted the 18-year-old will be given £50,000-a-week if he signs, those close to the striker believe that sum is dependent on performance-related bonuses.

An Everton insider last night rebuffed such claims, insisting that Rooney will definitely be paid £50,000-a-week over five years no matter how the team perform.

Some close to Rooney are convinced that Everton are intent on selling him and have merely made a great show of publicly offering the striker £50,000-a-week and pricing him at £50 million in order to appease fans.

It is an impression only intensified by rumours that Bill Kenwright, Everton's chairman, would accept an offer of £25 million for Rooney.

Argentina advance

Forward Carlos Tevez scored from a free kick as Argentina swept aside defending champions Colombia 3-0 in their Copa America semi-final. Luis Gonzalez claimed the second goal and Juan Pablo Sorin the third to earn Argentina a place in Sunday's final against either Brazil or Uruguay.

Parlour may lose out

Ray Parlour is prepared to consider giving up all rights to a lucrative Arsenal testimonial if Premiership rivals Middlesbrough make a satisfactory offer to sign him.

Boro boss Steve McClaren has admitted his interest in the 31-year-old midfielder, who is in the last year of his contract at Highbury - his 12th season in the first-team squad.

In brief . . .

German football chiefs, looking for a replacement for Rudi Voeller as coach, have held talks with Jurgen Klinsmann . . . Leeds midfielder Eirik Bakke has been ruled out for the season with cruciate ligament damage while striker Brian Deane will complete his return to Elland Road today . . . Tottenham are to sign Grasshoppers Zurich left-back Reto Ziegler in January . . . Greek side Olympiakos claim to have signed Rivaldo.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIRST QUALIFYING ROUND - Second leg: Gorica 3, Flora Tallinn 1 (7-3 agg); Rhyl 1, Skonto 3 (1-7); HJK Helsinki 1, Linfield 0 (2-0 agg); Pyunik 1, Podeda 1 (4-2); Neftchi 1, Siroki Brijeg 0 (2-2 agg, Neftchi win on away goal); KF Tirana 0, Gomel 1 (2-1 agg); Kaunas 4, Sliema 1 (6-1 agg), Jeunesse Esch 1, Sherif 0 (1-2 agg), HB Torshavn 3, Wit Georgi 2 (2-7 agg).