Malouda signs news Chelsea deal

Chelsea winger Florent Malouda has signed a new four-year deal to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge.

The 29-year-old Frenchman, who had two years remaining on his current contract, hopes it will end speculation surrounding his future at the club.

Malouda, who had been linked with a move to AC Milan, said: "I am staying. I have four years left on my contract.

"Every time the transfer window opens there are rumours and I hope in this one people will know what happened."

Malouda had struggled to settle into English football following his £13.5m transfer from French side Lyon in 2007.

e had been widely expected to move on after Chelsea were linked earlier this year with a move for Russia's Yuri Zhirkov, who plays for CSKA Moscow.

But Malouda found his form under interim coach Guus Hiddink and eventually started 31 games for the Blues last season, scoring nine goals as Chelsea reached the semi-finals of the Champions League and won the FA Cup.

Liverpool close to bank debt deal

Liverpool Football Club - which owes two banks £350m - is close to renegotiating its debt with the Royal Bank of Scotland, the BBC has learnt.

RBS has told club owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett the debt, due to be repaid in July, will be refinanced.

BBC business editor Robert Peston says RBS will insist on significant payments in the subsequent six months.

It comes as Portsmouth's defender Glen Johnson has agreed to join Liverpool in a £17.5m move.

Lending agreement

Our business editor says the good news for Liverpool FC supporters is that the club is not about to go bust.

"I understand that Royal Bank of Scotland has told its two billionaire owners, George Gillett and Tom Hicks, that their £350m debt - which falls due for repayment on 24 July and is owed to Royal Bank and Wachovia of the US - will be refinanced.

"A new lending agreement will be put on place."

A spokesman for the US pair would not comment on the development.

The other bank owed money, Wachovia, has yet to make any announcement.