Dzeko joins City

Manchester City have completed the signing of Bosnia and Herzegovina striker Edin Dzeko for a fee of around £27 million. The 24-year-old has signed a four-and-a-half year contract and has been handed the vacant number 10 shirt.

Although the former Wolfsburg star completed his move too late to be considered for Sunday's FA Cup tie at Leicester, he is likely to make his debut against Wolves at Eastlands next Saturday.

"I was always attracted most to joining City. I have been linked with the club for a long time, going back to last summer, but Wolfsburg did not want to sell me until today," he told www.mcfc.co.uk.

"There was too much speculation in the papers but my head is always clear.

"It is important that is the case because if you think too much about what might be it is a distraction and it can affect your game."

Dzeko becomes Roberto Mancini's ninth signing since replacing Mark Hughes just over a year ago and his arrival is likely to trigger the departures of Emmanuel Adebayor and Roque Santa Cruz at some point during this month's transfer window.

Dzeko came to the Premier League's attention last season when he scored in both Champions League games against Manchester United.

At one point, Sir Alex Ferguson was said to be interested in the player, who ended last season as top scorer in the Bundesliga.

But City were more persistent in their pursuit of the player, who will bring an extra dimension to the Blues' attack.

And once he became aware of what was happening at Eastlands, Dzeko was committed to making the move.

"I have watched them a lot on television," he said.

"They have been playing well this season and now the speculation is over, I just want to do my best.

"I am pleased to be at such a good club with such big ambition. They were my first choice and only choice,"said the newly arrived player.

'Fans will welcome Beckam' - Redknapp

David Beckham will be an instant hit with Tottenham fans if the obstacles impeding the midfielder's move to White Hart Lane can be overcome and he finally seals a loan deal with the North London club, Harry Redknapp insists.

Negotiations between Tottenham and Beckham's parent club, Los Angeles Galaxy, were still far from completion last night despite Redknapp being told by a club official that a deal was "going to happen" yesterday after almost a week of talks.

Tottenham were confident of wrapping up an eight-week loan deal for Beckham in time for the former Manchester United midfielder to watch Spurs' FA Cup match against Charlton on Sunday.

The two parties are still some way off agreeing a deal on how Beckham's wages should be paid over the two-month period, however.

Redknapp was nevertheless in buoyant mood about the club's chances of signing Beckham on Friday and is confident that the fans will see past the inevitable media circus that would accompany the global superstar's arrival and recognise his worth to the team.

Keane looking to join Hammers

West Ham are looking to sign Robbie Keane from Tottenham as manager Avram Grant targets three new players to save the club's season. Keane has been told he can leave White Hart Lane in the January transfer window but Spurs want to sell the striker, who went out on loan to Celtic this time last year.

The Hammers are currently in talks with Tottenham about the player but, given the financial constraints at Upton Park, a loan deal may be more preferable to Grant. The Hammers are also targeting a left-back and Grant was disappointed to miss out out on signing midfielder Steve Sidwell, who is now bound for Fulham.

West Ham are struggling with injuries. Ten of their 25 registered players were injured ahead of the Boxing Day win at Fulham. Grant's men returned to the foot of the Barclays Premier League table with Wednesday's 5-0 defeat at Newcastle and he needs fresh blood as a matter of urgency.

"We need a stronger squad. We have a lot of long-term injuries and we will do everything to make the squad stronger because we need it, otherwise it will not be easy to continue like this," Grant said.

With the semi-final looming in midweek, Grant is likely to send out a much-changed team to face Barnsley. Youngsters Jordan Spence and Zavon Hines could both start.

"Tomorrow you will see two young players who are the future of the club," Grant said.