Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

City move for Benarbia

Martyn Ziegler
Friday 14 September 2001 00:00 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The Manchester City manager, Kevin Keegan, is set to sign the Paris St-Germain midfielder Ali Benarbia. The Algerian international flew to Manchester last night to sign a three-year deal after Keegan decided he needed to boost his injury-hit squad.

City will be without Eyal Berkovic, who has a hamstring strain, for up to six weeks and Benarbia, who is a free agent, is seen as a good replacement. He once played a leading role in knocking Newcastle United out of Europe when he played for Monaco. He rejected a move to Sunderland last weekend after Peter Reid stalled on signing him, and has also turned down an offer from Southampton to link up with Keegan at Maine Road.

Nathan Blake has joined Wolves from Blackburn for an initial fee of £1.5m, which will rise if the First Division club are promoted at the end of the season.

The Blackburn manager, Graeme Souness, said: "It could be a very good move for him." A regular Welsh international, Blake joined Rovers in October 1998 from their neighbours Bolton Wanderers. He scored 13 goals in 52 appearances.

Wolves are also making a £1m attempt to sign Sunderland's Scottish midfielder Alex Rae. The Black Cats are ready to part with Rae after rejecting a bid from Wolves for him in the summer. The Wolves manager, Dave Jones, hopes to get his man by the weekend after being priced out of a bid to sign Paul Ince from Middlesbrough.

The Leeds United and England striker Alan Smith is set to return for his club against Charlton Athletic on Sunday after missing the last three weeks with an ankle ligament injury.

Swansea City have named the much-travelled Colin Addison as their manager, with Peter Nicholas, the former Wales midfielder, as his assistant.

Addison, who was in charge of Yeovil Town last season, joins the Third Division club as a replacement for John Hollins, who was sacked on Wednesday. Nicholas was manager of Barry Town.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in