Jermaine Pennant has joined Leeds United on a two-month loan with a view to a permanent move from Arsenal. Leeds chairman Professor John Mackenzie said: ‘We are delighted Jermaine is joining Peter Reid’s team. He will be with us for the next two months and although no commitment has been made yet with Arsenal it opens up the possibility of a permanent move later on.’ It was thought that Pennant, 20, was going to be given a chance in the first team at Highbury as the club have been fairly inactive in the summer transfer market, but he now becomes the latest young British player to be shown the door by manager Arsène Wenger after Matthew Upson was sold last season to Birmingham City. Despite becoming British football’s most expensive teenager when he joined Arsenal for £2m from Notts County in 1998, Pennant has struggled to convince Wenger to give him a regular run in the first team ahead of foreign stars such as Robert Pires, Sylvain Wiltord and Freddie Ljungberg. Pennant’s move to Leeds comes a day after Everton offered to take Francis Jeffers, who moved to Highbury from Goodison Park in an £8m deal in June 2001, back to Merseyside on loan

Warm reception for Beckham

David Beckham will make his first appearance for Real Madrid on Spanish soil tonight, when the La Liga champions travel to Valencia for their final pre-season friendly. The England captain, likely to play on the right of midfield, has been told to anticipate a tough duel with Valencia’s 38-year-old Italian left-back Amadeo Carboni. ‘He’s going to be up against one of the oldest veterans in the league,’ said Carboni. ‘I trust he won’t enjoy it too much. I shall certainly make him work. Perhaps I’ll keep his drops of sweat in a little tin for a memento.’

On a more serious note, Carboni added: ‘He’s a great footballer, a symbol for kids and the thing that always impresses you is the way he strikes a ball. He’s a player of great quality and nobody can say otherwise.’

Blackburn move for Ferguson and Babbel

Graeme Souness confirmed last night that Blackburn had made an approach for Rangers captain Barry Ferguson. ‘I can’t tell you what might happen,’ said Souness. ‘I can only tell you what happened when I saw David Murray when Rangers played Arsenal at Ibrox a few weeks ago. At that point David explained Barry wasn’t for sale. I don’t want to upset David, or Rangers’ supporters or the club itself, but I can only tell you from my point of view.’ Rangers manager Alex McLeish said that the Scotland midfielder was unsettled by all the transfer talk and clearly had a possible move to the Premiership on his mind. Speaking after Rangers had won 3-2 at Aberdeen, McLeish said: ‘I spoke to Barry last night and I know he’s troubled at the moment but until such a time as something happens he’s got a great contract at Rangers. He needs to do the best he can for Rangers, while he is still here.’

Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier confirmed that German defender Markus Babbel is free to join Blackburn Rovers if he can agree personal terms. The 30-year-old former international, who has fought his way back from debilitating illness, has been targeted by the Lancashire club. ‘Blackburn have been in touch and are talking to his agent,’ said Houllier. ‘If they can come to an agreement then Markus will have permission to leave.’

Bad spell for Berkovic

Manchester City manager Kevin Keegan has admitted that he smiled when he received a transfer request from midfielder Eyal Berkovic. Not that he wanted to lose the Israeli international, but, as Keegan — with two e’s — explained: ‘He addressed it to Mr Kegan. But I forgive him. I like the lad and hope he stays.’

Explore Football

• Premier League

• Football League

• Scotland

• European Football

• International Football

• TheGame

• Live Match Tracker

• The Fink Tank

• Fantasy Football