Arsenal's Jens Lehmann has launched a broadside at Arsene Wenger after the coach's suggestion that the German shot-stopper might want to leave Highbury.
The Arsenal boss claimed that Lehmann, linked with a move to Borussia Moenchengladbach or Stuttgart - although Borussia Dortmund is a more likely destination - might quit after losing his place to Manuel Almunia.
The 35-year-old played his first game since last November in the 2-1 FA Cup win over Stoke on Sunday but Wenger has insisted that Almunia will return for the game at Bolton on Saturday.
"It is the second time he has mentioned this and I think everyone in football knows why he does it," said Lehmann. "I have signed for three years and I intend to honour that contract. Of course I was surprised to be dropped. I'm sorry but what have I done wrong? At this club every goal is blamed on the goalkeeper.
"If they can find someone who never makes the smallest mistake then they should sign him right away, but it will be very hard to find that person. I don't doubt myself. Why should I? I came here and won the Championship without losing a game. Who can compare to that? Name me anyone who has done that before."
Premiership rivals Norwich have spent a club record fee of £3m on securing the deal for Crewe's Dean Ashton. The England Under 21 striker signed a three-and-half-year deal, with the option of one further year, after passing a medical yesterday. The deal could cost Norwich a further £500,000 and there is a 20 per cent sell-on fee.
Ashton is the Championship's top scorer this season with 17 goals, and has been watched by several Premiership sides, but Norwich boss Nigel Worthington was delighted to finally land his man. "Dean is one of the best young strikers in the country and he has scored goals for Crewe on a consistent basis," he said. "I'm delighted that we have been able to attract such a young talent to Carrow Road."
Crewe manager Dario Gradi says Ashton is ready for the Premiership. "It is time for him to go on and test himself at a higher level. He is ready and heading in the right direction," said Gradi.
Another club trying to add players to their squad is Newcastle United. Graeme Souness has already bought in Chelsea's Celestine Babayaro and Rangers' Jean-Alain Boumsong to strengthen his back line and is now on the trail of another defender.
Bayern Munich have confirmed that the Magpies are in talks with Samuel Kuffour's agent over a possible move to Tyneside. The German club are willing to sell the 28-year-old Ghana international, whose contract expires in the summer, and are waiting for Newcastle to make a bid.
Kuffour joined Bayern in 1993 and has won five league titles and the Champions League with the Bavarian club. "I heard that Kuffour's agent is in discussions with Newcastle," said Bayern commercial manager Uli Hoeness. "If these discussions are successful, Newcastle would then contact us."
Bayern coach Felix Magath added: "We will just let one of the centre backs go, either Kuffour or Thomas Linke."
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez says he will look elsewhere if he cannot seal a deal for Real Madrid's Fernando Morientes in the next few days. Benitez has been chasing the Spanish international for most of the season, but has warned that his patience is wearing thin.
"We cannot wait forever, we will wait maybe two more days before looking for another player," said Benitez. "We must wait for Real to decide. In a few days if we cannot do anything then we will fight for another player."
Benitez has also been linked with Andy Johnson and Nicolas Anelka but admitted prising them away from their respective clubs could be a problem. "It is difficult," he continued. "Both players have been scoring goals for their teams and if you ask their managers they may say 'no', but they are good players.
"When we want to sign a player my first look is in England. If that player is too expensive or a club won't let him leave, then you need to look at other leagues and I look in Spain."
