Gianfranco Zola hopes to conclude Luis Jiménez deal

West Ham's manager, Gianfranco Zola, wants to sign Luis Jimenez from Inter on loan. Photograph: Rebecca Naden/PA

The West Ham United manager, Gianfranco Zola, is hopeful he can conclude the transfer of Internazionale's midfielder Luis Jiménez in the near future. The Chilean winger is set to join the Hammers on a one-year loan deal with the option to make the transfer permanent.

"I hope it is completed soon. He is one of those lads who plays the kind of football I like," Zola told Gazzetta dello Sport. "In England it's not easy to sign non-European players but I think these problems can be solved."

Jiménez has reportedly been granted a work permit for a switch to Upton Park, despite not playing the required number of matches in the last two years in Europe. The South American was limited to only two Serie A starts last season, as injury prevented him from forcing his way into Jose Mourinho's team. The 25-year-old joined Inter in the summer of 2007 on loan from Ternana.

West Ham United were in negotiations last night to complete a loan deal for Mancini, the Inter Milan and Brazil attacking player, who has been likened to Cristiano Ronaldo by Sven-Göran Eriksson.

The East London club are confident of securing Luis Jiménez, the Chile forward, on the same terms from Inter, with an option to buy both players, valued at a combined £22million.

Mancini, 28, gained a reputation as a creative and quick winger at Roma, for whom he scored a spectacular goal against Lyons two years ago that followed six step-overs and has become a YouTube hit. However, he did not reproduce his form for

Inter after an £11million transfer last summer. Mancini attracted interest from Liverpool last summer and Manchester City, who tried to sign him when Eriksson was manager.

Scott Duxbury, the West Ham chief executive, took control of the talks for Mancini and Jiménez in Milan at the weekend, alongside Gianluca Nani, the club's Italian technical director.

Glen Johnson set for Liverpool transfer after Portsmouth accept offer

• Liverpool reach agreement with England full-back
• Johnson's arrival could pave way for Arbeloa's exit

Glen Johnson has agreed a deal at Anfield. Photograph: Anthony Devlin/PA

Liverpool are set to sign the England right-back Glen Johnson after confirming this evening they have reached an agreement with the player and his club, Portsmouth.

The Reds have been linked with the defender for a number of weeks while the Pompey executive chairman, Peter Storrie, claimed last week that Johnson's former club Chelsea were willing to pay £18m for the 24-year-old.

"Liverpool FC confirmed this evening that they had reached an agreement with Portsmouth Football Club and with Glen Johnson for the transfer of the player to Anfield," said a statement on the Liverpool official website. Johnson enjoyed arguably his best season in the Premier League last term as he established himself as England's first-choice right-back. Storrie admitted last week that there was every chance Johnson could leave Fratton Park this summer, especially with the size of the fee being talked about.

Rafael Benítez has not spoken of his interest in Johnson – many Reds fans would prefer him to reinforce his squad in other areas – but Johnson's impending arrival would seem to suggest Alvaro Arbeloa will be sold to Real Madrid sooner rather than later.

"Glen has obviously had a fantastic season season for us and has established himself as one of the best right-backs in the league if not the country at the moment," said Storrie last week. "I've known Glen for a long time, since his West Ham days, so when I re-signed him we talked it over and he asked if one of the big four clubs, who were in the Champions League, came in for him would we stand in his way of a move?

"I said that I couldn't do that provided the deal is good for Portsmouth and for Glen."