Escude urges Rennes to agree 'dream' United move

The Rennes defender Julien Escudé is prepared to fight for his move to Manchester United. The 23-year-old has been targeted by the United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, who so far has been frustrated in his attempt to sign the former France Under-21 cap.

Rennes have said that they are unwilling to sell him this season, but the player is worried that any delay could harm his career.

"It's an incredible opportunity for me and this is what I want the Rennes directors to understand," Escudé said. "A career in football is short and things are always going fast, that is why it is important to seize the opportunities when they come up."

Escudé thinks he has gone as far as he can with the French club and he expected more from the 11 August meeting between officials from Rennes and Old Trafford which ended without agreement. Rennes asked around £5.1m for Escudé, but United were not willing to offer more than half that sum.

The next day Escudé excluded himself from training and Rennes' coach, Philippe Bergeroo, dropped him from a league game against Guingamp at the weekend.

"I have spent three great seasons with Rennes but I have other objectives and ambitions now. Manchester knocked on my door and that makes me dream, makes me feel like going. This club is so prestigious."

Damien Duff will sign a new contract at Blackburn Rovers later this week, ending speculation that he might be on the verge of a move to Liverpool or Manchester United. He has all but agreed a new, £30,000-a-week deal, including a one-year extension that will keep him at the club until 1 July 2005.

The news will be a great fillip for the Blackburn manager, Graeme Souness, who had fought hard to keep the winger away from his former club, Liverpool. Duff will sign the deal, which is expected to contain a clause allowing him to speak to other clubs if they lodge big enough bids next summer, when he returns from international duty with the Republic of Ireland in Finland.

"If it had been there to sign last Friday I would have signed it," Duff said. "It's just not quite ready so, hopefully, by the time I come back later this week everything will be sorted out. I'm very happy here."

The Nigerian defender Taribo West has begun a spell with Manchester City, who are assessing his fitness. The former Derby centre-back has been unattached since his contract with Kaiserslautern was cancelled in April after a dispute with the German club.

Brighton have signed the the former West Ham and Newcastle striker Paul Kitson on a one-year deal with an option of a further year. The former England Under-21 forward left the Hammers last May at the end of his contract.

Alpay Ozalan has reiterated his desire to leave Aston Villa. The 29-year-old Turk played in Sunday's 1-0 defeat at home to Liverpool "for the manager and the supporters", but still has grievances about the way his contract negotiations were conducted. "I am not happy and I want to go," Alpay said.

Everton's summer signing Joseph Yobo will make his comeback tonight in a reserve fixture. The Nigerian international injured a leg 26 minutes into his debut in a pre-season friendly.