Fulham invest in Harley potential

The Chelsea full-back Jon Harley has signed for Fulham for £3.5m, subject to a medical, as their manager Jean Tigana continues his pre-season buying spree.

The 21-year-old last season found it hard to win a regular starting place and, with Chelsea having signed another left-sided player, Boudewijn Zenden, last week, they have allowed Harley to move. Last week, after buying the Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar from Juventus, Tigana said at least another couple of signings were likely before the start of the season.

"I am very happy that Jon is joining us," Tigana said. He is a very skilful young player with tactical ability. I have tried since I have been at Fulham to sign young English players but it has proved very difficult," said.

West Bromwich last night said that they have rejected an offer from Coventry City of just over £5m for the striker Lee Hughes ­ but they have allowed the 25-year-old to talk to their First Division rivals after he turned down a new contract.

Albion later revealed that Coventry's offer was just £1 over the stipulated figure of £5m for Hughes, in line with an exit clause in his contract.

Arsenal's Austrian goalkeeper Alex Manninger has signed for Italy's Fiorentina after resolving his contractual problems at Highbury. The 24-year-old, who has joined the Serie A side on loan with an option to make the move permanent, could make his debut at White Hart Lane tonight as Fiorentina take on Tottenham in a testimonial for Bill Nicholson.

Finidi George's proposed £3.5m move from Real Mallorca to Ipswich has run into trouble. The Spanish club have delayed the transfer because they have not received proof that the Premiership club have the funds to finance the signing.

Milan Baros , the 19-year-old Banik Ostrava winger, is poised to join Liverpool in a £3.5m deal but will be unable to play until he meets the work permit criteria of playing in 75 per cent of the Czech Republic's internationals over a two-year period.

Charlton have signed the Queen's Park Rangers midfielder Gavin Peacock on a three-month loan deal with a view to a permanent move.

The Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, has asked Bryan Robson to help out in training on an informal basis at Old Trafford.