Latest Transfer Update at 25-05-11

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Sol Campbell - Newcastle exit.
SOL CAMPBELL LEAVES NEWCASTLE

Newcastle have released Sol Campbell and Shefki Kuqi as manager Alan Pardew begins to reshape his squad.
The pair could not command regular first-team places under Pardew and have left St James' Park as the start of this summer's expected overhaul, with Lorient's Kevin Gameiro reportedly a top target.
Former England defender Campbell joined Newcastle under Chris Hughton last August, but he played in just eight matches in all competitions this season and his last appearance came in the dire 4-0 defeat at Stoke in March.
The 36-year-old ex-Tottenham and Arsenal centre-back had hoped to end his career on a high with Newcastle, but he fell behind Fabricio Coloccini, Mike Williamson and Steven Taylor in Pardew's plans.
Pardew told the Newcastle Chronicle: "Sol's gone and good luck to him. He has been an icon in the game, but he didn't feature too much here.
"Our centre-backs have been a strong point for us this season and that's perhaps why. But it's good luck to Sol and we must look forward now instead."
Kuqi, meanwhile, was a Pardew signing as an emergency response to the £35million sale of England striker Andy Carroll to Liverpool on transfer deadline day in January.
The 34-year-old was a free agent after leaving Derby last December, but he was little more than cover for a first-choice attacking partnership of Shola Ameobi and Peter Lovenkrands.
Finland international Kuqi played just six times for Newcastle, all as a substitute and without a goal, including his last appearance of the campaign in the 3-0 defeat at Liverpool.
Pardew said: "He was added to our squad and he didn't get the games he wanted.
"He was a bit frustrated at not getting on as much as he wanted because he came here to show people what he could do.
"The opportunities for him were scarce because our form during that time wasn't bad, we lost just four times in the last 14 games while he was here.
"The fans may not have seen him, but he became a bit of a legend at the training ground, he's been a warrior in training.
"He's gone, though, and I have wished him well. The sad thing is he really took to the place. He loved the people and the area.
"I can only advise teams like Hartlepool and Carlisle United to take a really good look at him this summer. He will be brilliant for them if he got the chance."

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Demba Ba - at centre of allegations.
SUNDERLAND: NO ILLEGAL BA APPROACH

Sunderland have defended themselves against claims that they have made an illegal approach to West Ham striker Demba Ba.
The Hammers have reported the Black Cats to the Barclays Premier League over an allegation that they have breached the rules governing transfers.
However, a spokesman said: "Sunderland AFC is fully aware of the Premier League regulations pertaining to player recruitment.
"If we are interested in any player currently under contract with another club, we will speak directly to that club, in line with the regulations."
A Premier League spokesman confirmed that they have received a complaint from the Hammers' which will now be considered.
He said: "We have received a letter from West Ham United. We will look into their complaint to see if there is a case to answer."
The regulations are detailed in Section K of the Premier League rulebook and state that a club cannot approach a contracted player at another club either directly or indirectly without prior written consent.
Indeed, even a public statement expressing an interest in a player can be construed as an offence.
Sunderland are one of a series of clubs - derby rivals Newcastle are among the others - to have been linked with Ba, who scored seven goals in the Hammers' ultimately vain bid to retain their top-flight status following a January move from German club Hoffenheim.

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Manuel Pellegrini - 'very comfortable' at Malaga.
PELLEGRINI AGENT DROPS CHELSEA HINT

Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini's agent has hinted Chelsea have made an initial approach for the Chilean.
The Blues are again in the market for a new manager - their fifth in the past three years - after Carlo Ancelotti paid the price for a trophyless campaign just 12 months after guiding his team to an historic double.
While Guus Hiddink is said to be club owner Roman Abramovich's first choice to reprise the role he filled on a temporary basis to such great effect two years ago, convincing the Dutchman to leave his current post with the Turkish Football Federation could prove complicated.
That could lead to Chelsea looking at other targets, such as Porto boss Andre Villas-Boas.
Pellegrini's agent has indicated the 57-year-old former Real Madrid boss is also on the Blues' radar.
Jesus Martinez told Chilean radio station Cooperativa: "It is normal for clubs without a coach, such as Chelsea through intermediaries, to start asking Pellegrini, but he is very comfortable at Malaga and has a contract there.
"He has put a lot of effort into Malaga and is pleased and excited to work with the team."
Chelsea maintained they would not be making any comment on the continuing speculation regarding the appointment of their new manager.

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Joey Barton - no new deal at Newcastle.
BARTON ATTRACTING INTEREST - AGENT

Joey Barton's agent claims he has already been contacted by managers interested in signing the Newcastle midfielder.
Willie McKay headed to Tyneside on Wednesday morning to re-open contract talks for the 28-year-old, but after a brief meeting with managing director Derek Llambias and club secretary Lee Charnley, left with no deal even on the table.
The news, which means next season will be Barton's last on Tyneside unless there is a radical shift in the club's current stance, has come as a major shock to fans.
It remains to be seen whether or not the Magpies will now attempt to cash in on their £5.8million signing this summer, or allow him to leave for free in a year's time when his existing deal expires.
McKay told BBC Radio Newcastle: "I have had a few calls from other clubs because of the news - everybody knows about the situation at the moment.
"I have had a few managers on asking what the situation is with Joey, but only if a top club [came in], I think he would move on.
"He has set his mind up to stay at Newcastle next season because he loves it up there, he's settled and he's playing very, very well.
"Hopefully he can break into the England team at some stage."
Asked if there was any possibility of a resolution of the deadlock, McKay replied: "The only reason Joey will stay at Newcastle [beyond next season], I think, is if there are new owners, to be perfectly honest.
"Obviously, they [Newcastle] are in a situation where they will be looking for somebody to come in for Joey and offer him a contract, but at the end of the day, it might not be the right club.
"Joey is quite strong-minded and I think he will stay at Newcastle for next season.
"At the end of the day, Joey likes it at Newcastle and he will probably just run his contract out.
"Obviously, we need to look for something for Joey in January, and that's where we are."
McKay confirmed that Barton was looking for a four-year deal, but was prepared to take a pay-cut, although the two parties were unable to reach agreement on that basis in January.
He said: "He wanted a four-year contract which would see him right through his best years. He was happy to take a four-year deal and less money."
Barton, of course, has endured a chequered spell at St James' Park which at one point saw him jailed.
However, he has made the most of the chance his employers gave him on his release and was one of the club's key players last season.
McKay said: "I must say that, to be fair to Newcastle and the current Board, they stuck by Joey. I think he repaid them last season - I think he had a great season. But they stuck by him, there's no doubt about that, Derek Llambias especially."

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Paul Lambert - new Norwich deal signed.
LAMBERT COMMITS TO CANARIES

Norwich have confirmed manager Paul Lambert has signed a "new and improved" contract.
The Canaries are set to return to the Premier League for the first time since 2005 after securing back-to-back promotions under Lambert, who took charge in August 2009 with the Norfolk club near the foot of League One.
The 41-year-old Scot - who attracted an official approach from Burnley earlier in the season and emerged as a reported target for managerless West Ham - has been in lengthy discussions with the board over improvements to his rolling 12-month deal.
With those now concluded, Lambert will focus on securing new players to help the club stay in the Premier League.
Lambert told the club's website: "It's terrific for myself and Ian [Culverhouse] and Gary [Karsa].
"We came here together and we've never indicated we wanted to leave at all. I've loved my two years at the club.
"I'm delighted everything has been sorted for the three of us and now we are working on bringing players into the club. We have to try and give the current group a hand, as I have always said.
"We want to try and make this club the best it can possibly be. We'll try and do everything we can to get a foothold in the Premier League and to enjoy it.
"The fanbase here is tremendous and if you have got them behind you, then you have a chance."
Former Celtic midfielder Lambert was named LMA Championship Manager of the Year on Monday night, his second successive accolade voted for by his peers.
Norwich chairman Alan Bowkett expressed the board's delight to have tied Lambert down on new terms.
"What Paul, his staff and the players have helped the club to achieve since he joined us has been absolutely incredible," Bowkett said.
"Therefore after protracted and professional negotiations, we are thrilled to report we have a new deal.
"Paul has stressed to me he has never wished to leave as he and the fans have unfinished business in the Premier League.
"We have always said our aim was to make Norwich City an established Premier League club and we will be doing everything in our power to support Paul as he works with us towards that goal."
Norwich earlier confirmed a record number of season tickets have been sold ahead of their return to the top flight - but many Canaries fans will face a scramble for remaining seats at Carrow Road.
The Norfolk club - runners-up to QPR in the npower Championship - have capped sales at some 21,833, with more than 1,700 now on a waiting list.
Carrow Road's capacity will be increased slightly over the summer, but with Norwich obliged under Premier League rules to offer 10% of the 27,000 capacity to the away team, the club accept "availability of casual home tickets will be limited next season", with possibly as few as 1,500 on general sale.
Should the Canaries manage to stay up - which they failed to do under Nigel Worthington in 2004/2005 - then plans are already in place to rebuild the main City Stand and so significantly increase overall capacity.
Lambert has been promised all of the £37million windfall from television income to help strengthen the squad as the Canaries look to avoid a swift return to the Championship.
Norwich have been linked with Leeds duo Robert Snodgrass and Bradley Johnson. Newcastle keeper Fraser Foster, who enjoyed a successful loan spell at Norwich in their League One campaign, and Manchester United's Belgian defender Ritchie De Laet.
Veteran striker Miroslav Klose is another said to be on Lambert's radar, the Norwich manager maintaining close ties in Germany from his time with Borussia Dortmund, where he won the 1997 Champions League.
The 32-year-old Klose, who has scored 61 goals in 108 appearances for Germany, is out of contract with Bayern Munich this summer, and could be tempted to the Premier League, but AC Milan and Valencia are also both watching developments.