Fulham have completed the signing of Algerian defender Rafik Halliche for an undisclosed fee.

The player has signed from Portuguese side Benfica on a three year deal and becomes Mark Hughes’ fourth acquisition of the summer.

The player said “I’m so happy that my transfer to Fulham has been finalised.

“For me, the Premier League is the best league in the world and to be able to play alongside some wonderful players and to be given an opportunity to compete against some fantastic teams for a team like Fulham is something that I’ve always dreamed of doing.”

Halliche, who has spent the past two seasons on loan at Portuguese club Nacional, has won 20 caps for Algeria, playing every minute of their World Cup campaign in South Africa.
 
Halliche is unlikely to feature against Port Vale at Craven Cottage in their Carling Cup second round tie but may make an appearance in the Premier league away at newly promoted Blackpool on Saturday.

Fulham are clear favourites for the cup tie and are available at 1.36 Full Time Result, with League 2 promotion hopefuls Port Vale at 9.00, and the draw 4.50.

In the weekend clash the Cottagers are 2.30 Full Time Result, Ian Holloway’s Blackpool can be backed at 3.20 while the draw is 3.25.

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Arsene Wenger has today committed his immediate future to Arsenal, signing a contract extension until June 2014.

The Frenchman, who is the north London club’s longest-serving manager, joined the Gunners in 1996 and has guided the side to three Premier League titles and two FA Cup wins.

He said: “My heart belongs to Arsenal and my desire is to see this team win silverware. My commitment and drive are as strong and fresh as ever.

“Signing a new deal means that I can see this talented group of players reach their potential. Trust me, they are ready to deliver.”

The deal indicates Wenger intends to see out his career at the Emirates.

He told last week’s Observer: “I am at the stage where if I extend my contract, it means I will finish my career at club level at Arsenal. If I go for a different challenge – I have been offered many challenges you know – it has to be now.

“That’s a decision I have to make. But basically, I have no desire to change from here. I have one more year, and we are maybe thinking about extending it.”

Wenger will once again be in charge for the beginning of an Arsenal Premier League campaign, as he takes his team to Anfield to play Liverpool.

Full Time Result betting for the opener has Wenger’s men at 2.87 to pick up the away win, while Liverpool are 2.50 and the draw is available at 3.25.

Having managed Monaco and Nancy in his native France and Nagoya Grampus in Japan, Wenger was seen as a surprised choice when he was appointed back in 1996, but he quickly won over fans.

He led the club to third place in his first season, before guiding them to a league and cup double the following year.

Wenger’s side claimed a second double in the 2001/2 campaign, and two seasons later he led his team to a third league title without losing a single game.

The Gunners have not won a title since 2005, though.

He told www.arsenal.com: “I feel that we have not won for a few years now and it’s important to get back to winning trophies because we have gone for a certain policy.

“We maintained the club at the top level, but we want to get to the next step, to win trophies and to win the title and the Champions League of course.

“I believe there are decisive years in front of us, but as well, very exciting years in front of us because the team has matured a lot, there is a lot of potential and that is what I want to show, that we have made the right decisions and that we can win.”

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood added: “We are thrilled that Arsene has signed an extension to his contract.

“He has masterfully transformed this football club over the last 14 years and the exciting and compelling football we play under his stewardship is admired the world over.

“Arsene is a very talented man and we believe the young, exciting team he has nurtured over the past five years will reward his and the fans’ patience with silverware.”

You can back Arsenal to win the Premier League 2010/11 at odds of 7.00.

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Stoke have completed the signing of Kenwyne Jones from Sunderland for a club record £8million fee.

Tony Pulis is a long-time admirer of Jones, whom he had on loan at the Britannia Stadium from Southampton five years ago, and the Potters boss was quick to seal the deal.

I’m excited. It’s a new challenge for me, a new beginning, and I’m looking forward to it.

Kenwyne Jones

The fee surpasses Stoke’s previous record transfer of £6million they paid Middlesbrough for Robert Huth last summer, and the Trinadad & Tobago international has penned a four-year deal.

Pulis said: “Kenwyne is unplayable on his day, which is why this is a fantastic signing for this football club.

“We need goals in our team and we also need strong competition among our strikers if we are to continue improving at this level.

“Kenwyne will give us that. It’s no secret that I am one of his biggest admirers. He did a smashing job for us when he was here on loan. He was very young back then but I believe that he has the best years ahead of him as a top striker.”

Jones has fond memories of his previous spell with Stoke and is eager to fire them into the top 10 after 12th and 11th-placed finishes in their two seasons in the Premier League.

He said: “I’m excited. It’s a new challenge for me, a new beginning, and I’m looking forward to it.

“Stoke City’s on the up. From the last time compared to now, there have been a lot of changes. The place is buzzing and I want to be part of that.

“A lot of the team I’ve played with before and I’ve worked with the gaffer so it should be quite easy to settle in. I’m going to do my best, work hard and hopefully that will take the club higher.”

Jones could now go straight into the team for Stoke’s match at Molineux on Saturday in their opening Premier League match. Full Time Result betting for the match has Wolves at 2.30, while Stoke can be backed at 3.20 and the draw is 3.25.

Kenwyne Jones is 8.50 to be First Goalscorer in the match with Wolves.

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has admitted that he grew frustrated with Jones’ inconsistency and this pursuaded him to accept Stoke’s offer.

He told the Sunderland Echo: “There has always been a frustration with me, and I think with supporters who have watched Kenwyne, that you see an abundance of talent but it has not come out often enough for us for whatever reason.

“In management you get paid to make some important decisions sometimes. Stoke have been badgering me for a year. Everyone knows they love a big, traditional centre-forward and he might go and suit them.

“Towards the end with Kenwyne, things were not working out so I have accepted Stoke’s offer.”

Stoke are 6.50 to be relegated from the Premier League 2010/11 while it is 3.75 that they finish in the top half of the table.

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Scottish Premier League outfit St Mirren will not pursue their interest in former Dundee United midfielder Greg Cameron.

The 22-year-old central midfielder, who was released by United at the end of the season, had been on trial with Saints but manager Danny Lennon is looking to strengthen other areas of his squad.

“I spoke to his agent, it was a more specific position we were looking for,” Lennon said.

“The boy certainly had the ability but we feel we are particularly strong in that area.”

Former Everton and Wycombe midfielder Kevin McLeod has also failed to win a deal following a trial spell.

However, former East Fife defender Gordon Gilbert, who spent the last two seasons with Kaizer Chiefs in South Africa, is still hoping to impress Lennon despite being forced to pull out of a closed-doors game against Newcastle on Tuesday with a groin strain.

Lennon has brought in 10 new players to the club but he said: “I’ve still got money in the budget and if I find the right quality comes along to strengthen the squad, then we will certainly strengthen it.”

Martin O’Neill admits Aston Villa must improve their home record if they are to make the step up and challenge for a Champions League spot in 2010/11.

O’Neill has built a Villa side that has completed three successive top six finishes in the Barclays Premier League.

But Villa have had to rely primarily on their away record in trying to break into the elite band of Premier League teams.

Last term Villa could not force victory against the likes of strugglers West Ham, Wolves and Sunderland whereas on their travels they won nine times and their 32 point tally was the same as achieved at home.

O’Neill commented: “The home form is something we should try to improve for this coming season.

“We’ll try our best to find some ways to try and win a few more games. If we could win one or two more at home, then who’s to say we couldn’t improve our overall position?

“Our away record has been up there with the very, very best in recent seasons. I think that the home form is something we should look at and obviously try to rectify.”

O’Neill is likely to be busy in the transfer market before the window shuts at the end of August as he accepts Villa need to bring in new blood to try to maintain a challenge to the likes of Manchester City and Tottenham.

The Villa manager spent nearly £40million last summer in bringing in Stewart Downing, Stephen Warnock, James Collins, Fabian Delph and Richard Dunne although he recouped £12million from the departure of Gareth Barry to Manchester City.

The Northern Irishman is aware Villa will need to strengthen, particularly if midfielder James Milner follows Barry to City.

He said: “I was really proud of the team last season. We opened the campaign with a loss to Wigan Athletic and, up until the last couple of games, we shared with two other teams the least number of defeats.

“That told you a bit about the character of the team and we picked up more points than the previous two seasons. But, if anything, the league is stronger than before.

“We would have to try and improve the team even just to stand still. You look at the teams that you want to compete against.

“Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and, apart from last season, Liverpool are contesting quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals of the Champions League, and they can hack it domestically. It is tough.

“I would also expect Manchester City to be a major force this coming season. In this day of recessionary times, they can push on.

“They have made it known they will do that and will go for really quality players and not looking to go for players to fill squads, but the very best quality. They will be an absolute major force.

“You would expect Liverpool to get themselves together again and go strongly. It was more competitive last season than ever before and some rich owner might come along at another club and go for it.”

Aston Villa are currently 4.50 to win the Premier League 2010/11 in betting without the big five (Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City).

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