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Liverpool seal Aquilani deal

Author: Craig Williams
Date: 09/08/2009

Liverpool have completed the signing of Italy midfielder Alberto Aquilani from Roma, while Aston Villa have snapped up Newcastle United defender Habib Beye.

The 25-year-old Aquilani has signed a five-year contract with the Reds, having moved for an undisclosed fee which is reported to be as high as £20million.

Aquilani arrives on Merseyside as a direct replacement for Spain international schemer Xabi Alonso, who left the club a few days ago to join Real Madrid.

However, Reds fans will have to wait a while to see their newest recruit in action, with Aquilani currently recovering from ankle surgery.

Can Alberto Aquilani help Liverpool challenge for the title? - Latest Football Betting

Villa won the race to sign Newcastle United right-back Habib Beye, with the Senegal international penning a three-year contract at Villa Park.

The 31-year-old has left Tyneside for an undisclosed fee, having spent two seasons with the Magpies.

Hull City manager Phil Brown has confirmed that his club have now fielded a verbal offer for central defender Michael Turner.

The 25-year-old is reported to be attracting interest from the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, but Brown is adamant that a deal will only be done for a major fee.

Dean Richards has resigned as Harlequins' director of rugby at following an internal club review into events during the Heineken Cup quarter-final defeat by Leinster last season.

Tom Williams was handed a 12-month ban by the European Rugby Cup panel for feigning a blood injury and Richards has carried the can for that incident.

A statement on the club's official website read: "Following the hearing held and decision made by the ERC panel on the 20th of July, the club has conducted its own review of the incident.

"As part of this process, the club has waited for the written judgement to ensure it had considered carefully the concerns and position of the ERC disciplinary panel.

"The club fully accepts the verdicts and sanctions imposed upon the club since it is accountable for the failings of its staff.

"During the course of this process Dean Richards unreservedly tendered his resignation from his post as Director of Rugby. The board of Harlequins has accepted his resignation.

"We acknowledge that this whole episode has tarnished the image of the club which has always sought to uphold the highest standards."

Salford City Reds head coach Shaun McRae has defended his decision to leave the in-demand Richie Myler out of the side which lost 18-16 at home to Catalans Dragons.

The 19-year-old is the most highly-rated youngster in Super League and has so far failed to put pen to paper on a new contract at The Willows.

Myler's current deal runs out at the end of the current campaign and the Warrington Wolves are reported to be leading the chase for his signature.

McRae said after Friday night's loss: "I say he's been rested. Other people use different terms saying sacked or dropped, but I think that is harsh."

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