Robben set to complete Real move

Arjen Robben is poised to complete a move to Real Madrid after the Spanish champions agreed a fee with Chelsea. The 23-year-old winger has been linked with the Bernabeu outfit for most of the summer but the fee appeared to be a sticking point between the clubs.

However, Chelsea announced that the transfer had been settled subject to the Dutchman agreeing personal terms on a five-year deal and passing a medical.

The transfer fee is thought to be in the region of £21m.

The announcement came on a busy day for Real, who agreed a deal for Manchester United’s Gabriel Heinze as well as the sale of Cicinho to Roma.

Real Madrid agree deal for Heinze

Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze has agreed to join Real Madrid. A statement on the Real Madrid website, confirmed by Man Utd, said the clubs had agreed a fee and Heinze will sign a four-year contract.

The Argentine had his heart set on a move to Liverpool and took his case to a Premier League tribunal after United refused to sell him to their rivals.

But after a League panel ruled against Heinze, the 29-year-old agreed to join Real for a reported £8m fee.

The move brings to an end Heinze’s three-season stay at Old Trafford.

The defender proved a big hit with United fans when he arrived but after recovering from a serious knee injury at the start of the 2005/6 season, he found his first-team place occupied by Patrice Evra.

England 1-2 Germany

England suffered a first loss at the new Wembley as Germany took advantage of a mistake by keeper Paul Robinson. The hosts took an early lead when Micah Richards’ run ended with Frank Lampard beating Jens Lehmann at his near post.

But Robinson made a hash of a Bernd Schneider cross to allow Kevin Kuranyi to tap home before Christian Pander drilled an unstoppable shot past him.

England had the chances to level but Michael Owen, Kieron Dyer and Frank Lampard all failed to capitalise.

England suffered defeat at the hands of Germany in their last game at the old Wembley and their old rivals made it a notable double in front of a sell-out at the new £800m national stadium.

With two crucial Euro 2008 qualifiers just around the corner the friendly gave coach Steve McClaren more problems than answers.

Real directors sidelined Beckham – Capello

MADRID, Aug 22 (Reuters) – The decision to banish David Beckham from the Real Madrid first team after he announced he would be joining LA Galaxy was made by the club’s directors, former coach Fabio Capello has revealed in an interview.

‘The decision was taken because the club management said that he had negotiated with them having already agreed a contract with Los Angeles,’ Capello told Spanish sports daily Marca on Wednesday.

‘They said that they couldn’t count on a player that wasn’t going to remain at the club.’ Capello said he had initially decided to stand by the club’s decision. ‘When I work I always wear the club shirt and defend the club in every way I can.’

But a month later the Italian recalled Beckham, who went on to play an important part in helping the club win its first league title in four years.

League may help Heinze move after deadline

The Premier League will use their discretionary powers to let Gabriel Heinze leave Manchester United after the August 31 transfer deadline.

Sources close to the player have confirmed Heinze will lodge an appeal against the League’s decision to block his proposed move to Liverpool ‘within 24 hours’.

United would then have 14 days to respond, which would take the case beyond the date at which the transfer window is due to close on all business, effectively tying Heinze to the Old Trafford outfit, a situation none of the parties wants.

However, recognising the delicate nature of the issue, the Premier League will invoke rule M4, which allows them to clear transfers under their own jurisdiction after the deadline.

England outing will help Beckham – McClaren

Steve McClaren is confident an England appearance for David Beckham at Wembley tonight will help, not hinder his recovery from a long-standing ankle problem.

Beckham appeared to suffer a reaction to the injury he aggravated on his return to the international arena in June when he completed his first full 90 minutes for Los Angeles Galaxy in their defeat to New York Red Bulls at the weekend.

At the time, it appeared highly unlikely the former England captain would feature in the sell-out friendly against Germany.

However, Beckham made the first of what could be a series of punishing trans-Atlantic trips anyway – and appears to have made a startling recovery, judging by his performances in training.

While McClaren is sensitive to the needs of all club managers a fortnight before the competitive action begins for the Three Lions against Israel and Russia, the England coach is adamant Beckham should face Germany if he is able to.

Ramos ’snubbed huge Spurs offer’

Ramos (left) got the better of Jol in last season’s Uefa Cup

Sevilla coach Juande Ramos says he rejected a “dizzying” offer to take over from Martin Jol at Tottenham.Jol’s future as manager was in doubt after Spurs lost their first two games of the season before beating Derby.

“They made an excellent, dizzying offer, but I’m under contract and my decision is to fulfil it,” said Ramos.

But Spurs have denied making any offer and said: “No individual was or has been offered the position while that position has been held by Martin Jol.”

Spurs were reported to have met the Ramos camp over the weekend before telling Jol his job was safe providing he delivered Champions League football.

Fitness doubts about Shevchenko

Ukraine coach Oleg Blokhin says he cannot play Andriy Shevchenko for a whole match against Uzbekistan because the Chelsea striker is not fit enough. Shevchenko, 30, has not played for Chelsea this season but has been struggling with a back injury.

“I don’t even know if Shevchenko will be playing at all,” said Blokhin.

“The issue is not the injury, but the fact he missed so much time and simply won’t be ready. He’s trained all week, but 90 minutes just isn’t realistic.”

Shevchenko struggled to make an impact at Chelsea last season after a £30m move from Italian club AC Milan.

Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho has used Didier Drogba, Claudio Pizarro and Salomon Kalou up front so far this season with Shevchenko a notable absentee.

Sevilla reject two new Alves bids

Sevilla have turned down two fresh bids for Daniel Alves, who is being targeted by Chelsea and Real Madrid. Spanish club Sevilla rejected a £21.5m offer from Chelsea last week and are thought to want £27m for the full-back.

The 24-year-old Brazilian has said he would be willing to join Real if a move to Stamford Bridge collapsed.

Sevilla club president Jose Maria del Nido told Marca: “We have rejected, in the last few hours, two new offers that do not meet our requirements.”

Alves, who will be on international duty for Brazil in their friendly against Algeria on Wednesday, is keen for his future to be sorted out quickly.

Everton offer for Yakubu accepted

Everton have agreed a club record fee of £11.25m for Middlesbrough striker Aiyegbeni Yakubu. Boro say they have given the 24-year-old Nigerian permission to begin talks with the Toffees.

Portsmouth were also reportedly interested in bringing the striker they signed from Maccabi Haifa in 2003, back to Fratton Park.

A Boro spokesman said: “We can confirm we’ve agreed a fee, but will only confirm it once the deal is complete.”

Yakubu featured in Boro’s opening two Premiership games of the season, but was left out of their weekend victory at Fulham.