Yakubu big money move hits buffers

LONDON, England -- Yakubu Aiyegbeni's 11.25 million pound ($22.53 million) transfer from Middlesbrough to Everton is on hold because the Nigerian international has been refused a new work permit.

Although the 24-year-old has played in England since January 2003 when he joined Portsmouth from Maccabi Haifa, he quit playing for Nigeria in 2006 so now fails to meet the British Home Office requirement of involvement in 75 percent of his country's internationals in the last two years.

Everton said on their Web site that they have appealed against the decision and expect to hear the result on Wednesday.

Yakubu left Portsmouth for Middlesbrough in 2005 and has scored 35 goals in 104 cup and league appearances for the north east club.

Valencia have reached an agreement to sign Portugal midfielder Manuel Fernandes on a six-year deal from Benfica, the Primera Liga side said on Sunday.

Spanish media reported that Valencia were likely to have paid between 12 and 15 million euros for the 21-year-old international.

Valencia said the agreement was dependent on the player passing a medical.

Fernandes, a defensive midfielder, came up through the youth ranks at Benfica and helped the Portuguese club to win the league in 2005.

He had loan spells at Portsmouth and Everton last season and was reported to be close to agreeing a permanent move to the Merseyside club.

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher faces a spell on the sidelines after scans confirmed he broke a rib in his side's win at Sunderland.

Carragher also developed a collapsed lung as a result of the collision with Jose Reina during Saturday's 2-0 win and is likely to miss Tuesday's Champions League qualifier against Toulouse.

Liverpool spokesman Ian Cotton said: "Jamie underwent a series of investigations on Sunday morning which confirmed he has a broken rib and has also developed a pneumothorax. E-mail to a friend