NEWCASTLE United have entered the race to try to sign Boudewijn Zenden. The Holland winger has rejected Middlesbrough’s offer of a new contract and could leave on a free transfer next month. He has already held talks with Liverpool and PSV Eindhoven, while AZ Alkmaar have also expressed an interest.

Graeme Souness, the Newcastle manager, has earmarked Zenden as one of the possible replacements for Laurent Robert, who is expected to join Portsmouth. The other targets include Brett Emerton, the Blackburn Rovers midfield player who was signed two years ago for £2.5 million by Souness when he was manager of the club.

Patrick Kluivert’s transfer from Newcastle to Valencia may be called off after a medical revealed a knee problem, preventing the deal from being completed last night.

Mikael Forssell has completed his move to Birmingham City for £3 million from Chelsea. Forssell scored 19 goals for Birmingham two seasons ago, but his second season at St Andrew’s was disrupted by a knee injury. “I had a great time here and this feels like coming home,” he said. “I have great respect for the manager (Steve Bruce) and he was the one that persuaded me to come.”

Birmingham have received an offer from West Bromwich Albion for Darren Carter, the midfield player. Carter, 21, spent three months on loan with Sunderland last season.

Fulham have completed the signing of Ahmad Elrich, 23, the midfield player who walked out on Busan Icons, of South Korea, in November. The 24-year-old agreed a three-year deal and is believed to have cost about £250,000. Fulham have also completed the signing of Jaroslav Drobny, the Czech Republic goalkeeper, from Panionios, the Greek club.

Damien Francis, the Norwich City midfield player, has attracted interest from Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth.

Gérard Houllier, the new Lyons coach, has said that it will take “an incredible offer” for the French club to be willing to sell Michael Essien, the Ghana midfield player. Lyons are believed to want about £12 million for Essien, 22. “I want Essien to stay at Lyons and the president (Jean-Michel) Aulas wants the same,” Houllier said. “At Lyons, Essien can improve his football.”

Jussi Jaaskelainen, 30, the Bolton Wanderers goalkeeper, has agreed a new three-year contract more than eight months after negotiations about a new deal began.

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