Bolton goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi is wanted by Lancashire rivals Blackburn Rovers, it has emerged today.

Al Habsi is currently second choice at the Reebok, behind Jussi Jasskelainen, and has been linked with a move away from Gary Megson’s side over the summer.

And it now appears Mark Hughes is keen on the Omani stopper, according to the player’s agent.

Peter Harrison told Sky Sports News: “I understand an offer has been made, but neither club has as yet confirmed that or spoken with me,”

“It is now up to Bolton, but we would hope that they would allow Ali the chance to move on.”

Hughes has already brought in former Tottenham stopper Paul Robinson in the close reason, but wants Al-Habsi to compete for the Rovers number-one jersey with the former England man.

The 26-year-old has impressed during his time at Bolton, making 16 first team appearances since his arrival in 2006.

Thank goodness for that. Premier League football is back, and the old beast made its return with some aplomb in an action packed weekend. The ‘Get on With The Game’ plan made its debut, and a refreshing lack of abuse directed at the officials could be witnessed up and down the country. It didn’t stop David Moyes having a good whinge after the match though, but more of that later.

In the division’s opening match, Arsenal defeated West Brom 1-0 at the Emirates thanks to Samir Nasri’s debut goal.  Not exactly a classic by any means, but Wenger’s young guns will be pleased to have picked up the points in their hopeful title quest. For the Baggies, there were plenty of positives to be taken from a game where a cricket score was on the cards.

West Brom’s fellow new-boys Hull City faired somewhat better, making history in a 2-1 win over Fulham, the club’s first ever in their 104-year history. Caleb Folan’s late goal nearly lifted the roof off the KC Stadium as the crowd erupted, but things looked bleak for The Tigers when Seol Ki-Hyeon headed in after six minutes for the visitor’s. New-signing Geovanni was on hand to equalise with a stunning curler though, and Folan did the rest late in the day from close range.

Stoke City didn’t enjoy such luck however, going down 3-1 at Bolton. Ricardo Fuller nodded a late consolation but The Potters were 3-0 at half-time; Gretar Steinsson’s cross-shot deceived Thomas Sorensen for the first, then Kevin Davies glanced in a second. Big-money summer signing John Elmander then finished the game off with a fine header off his own. 

Champions Manchester United were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw at home to Newcastle, who had to rely on a Darren Fletcher goal to salvage a point. Obefami Martins had earlier put the Magpies in dreamland, but it wasn’t to be. Rivals Chelsea made a somewhat more convincing start, thrashing Portsmouth 4-0 at Stamford Bridge.

Joe Cole got the ball rolling, with Nicolas Anelka and Frank Lampard adding further goals. New-signing Deco capped off an impressive display with the fourth goal, beating David James from 30-yards in a game that the England man would rather forget.

Fernando Torres lifted the eternal gloom surround Liverpool as he bagged the winner in a 1-0 success over Sunderland, meanwhile Paul Ince’s managerial career got off to a dramatic start in Blackburn’s last-gasp 3-2 win over a thread-bare Everton. Moyes wasn’t too made up for his opposite number though, the Scot bemoaning Ryan Nelsen’s offside role in Andre Ooijer’s winner.

Gareth Southgate’s Middlesborough sprung the surprise of the weekend by beating much-fancied Tottenham, second-half goals from David Wheater and Mido sealing a 2-1 win. Dean Ashton notched two goals in front of England manager Fabio Capello in West Ham’s 2-1 win over Wigan, and Aston Villa sealed a miserable week for Mark Hughes Manchester City, Gabby Agbonlahor scoring the first hat-trick of the season in a 4-2 win.

Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon says his side are relishing the start of the new season.

The Black Cats take on Liverpool at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, and the stopper is looking forward to the visit of Rafa Benetiz’s big name forwards.

Liverpool have added £20m summer signing Robbie Keane to their already formidable strike force, although Gordon insists his side won’t be deterred.

He told BBC Radio Newcastle: “We all know who we’re up against. It is definitely a difficult one, but one we’ll look to do well in.”

Roy Keane’s men finished 15th last season - three points above the drop zone - and that is something Gordon is confident the Wearsiders will improve upon.

“We’ve added good quality to the squad and I’m sure the competition for places is a lot stronger now than it was at the start of last season,”

“From that point of view we’ve moved on but we need to do that with results now, start climbing up the table and improve on what we did last season,” he added.

By Danny Wright

Tottenham have completed the signing of Real Zaragoza goalkeeper Caser Sanchez.

The 36-year-old arrives on White Hart Lane after he was released by Zaragoza following their relegation from La Liga.

Manager Jaunde Ramos has hoped to bring in Derby’s Stephen Bywater, but a move fell through.

Premier League new boys Hull City have added to their squad by recruiting Rotherham United goalkeeper Mark Oxley.

The 18-year-old didn’t make an appearance for the Millers but is hotly tipped as one for the future.

Oxley becomes the second goalkeeper to arrive on Humberside in the close season after Tony Warner’s arrival from Fulham.

Hull manager Phil Brown also has Boaz Myhill and Matt Duke at his disposal, but it is unclear who will wear the number one jersey for The Tigers’ opener against Fulham next Saturday.

Rotherham are set to receive an initial £150,000 fee for Oxley, which is set to rise depending on appearances.

United manager Mark Robins says the move was a good deal for the club.

He told Sky Sports News: “”We have looked at the offer and we feel that it is a very good deal for the club,”

“We are getting a large percentage of the fee up front and if Mark continues to progress then it will benefit us further on in the future.”

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson recruited his third goalkeeper of the summer after agreeing terms with Pascal Zuberbuhler.

The Swiss stopper, 37, joins the Premier League club on a one-year deal.

Hodgson has already brought in Mark Schwarzer and David Stockdale from Middlesborough and Darlington respectively, but has added the former West Brom man to his squad.

Zuberbuhler - who has 51 international caps to his name - is delighted to have seal the moved.

He told the club’s official website: “I’m very happy to sign for Fulham,”

“I know the club had a very hard season last year, but I’m confident that this season it will be much better. I’m coming here to be successful.”

The stopper recognises the challenge ahead, but has vowed to give his all to The Cottagers cause.

He added: “”I know also the situation here with the goalkeepers. I’ve known Mark Schwarzer for a long time and played against him in the past,”

“I know he’s the No.1, but I’m here to give my best so that, in the end, the team is successful. That’s my mentality.

Fulham have already brought in eight new faces in a bid to improve on last year’s 17th place finish, with Zuberbuhler becoming the ninth after his arrival from Neuchatel Xamax.

League One side Yeovil Town have signed goalkeeper Josh Wagenaar.

Russell Slade has recruited the Canadian after a successful trial spell at Huish Park.

The 23-year-old signs a one-year contract and hopes the move will help add to his solitary international cap, which he won against Hungary in 2006.

He told BBC Somerset: “We’re just heading into some more qualifying games and so if I’m playing here maybe I can get a game or two,”

“It would be nice to continue my involvement with the national team, even if it’s just on the bench.”

The former ADO Den Haag and Lyngby stopper will have to get past fellow country-man Asmir Begovic if he is to gain international recognition though.

But Wagenaar is relishing the challenge posed by his rival, who arrived at the club on loan from Portsmouth last week.

He added: “On the field it’s going to be a battle between the two of us, we’ve played together a lot for the Canada under-20 national team,”

“Off the field we have a good friendship but on the field you have to put your best foot forward.”

Tottenham manager Jaunde Ramos will strengthen his goalkeeping department with a bid for Real Zaragoza goalkeeper Cesar Sanchez.

Ramos has seen Paul Robinson and youngster Tommy Forecast both leave the club this summer, who signed for Blackburn Rovers and Southampton respectively.

The Spaniard has already recruited long-term target Heurelho Gomes and has Ben Alnwick at his disposal.

But the Daily Mail reports that the manager is keen on the 36-year-old after a move for Derby’s Stephen Bywater fell through.

Sanchez has been told he can leave the club following their relegation from La Liga, and will most likely be back-up to first choice Gomes.

Derby County goalkeeper Stephen Bywater will remain at the Championship club.

The stopper had been linked with a proposed move to Premier League side Tottenham, but the deal has fallen through.

Bywater had a medical at White Hart Lane before the London club pulled out of the move.

Paul Jewell told the Derby Evening Telegraph: “I got a phone call to say for whatever reason the deal had fallen through but it was nothing to do with Stephen,”

“I think Stephen is a bit disappointed but, from our point of view, he will certainly push Roy Carroll.”

Bywater was Jewell’s choice keeper in the Rams disastrous Premier League campaign last season, but he was replaced towards the end of the season after Roy Carroll’s arrival from Rangers.

The Rams boss is happy the 27-year-old will remain at the club, though.

He added: “Stephen has looked very sharp in pre-season and I am not disappointed, especially with Lewis Price being injured.”

Former Aston Villa goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen is set to have talks with Stoke City, it has emerged.

The Dane was released by Villa at the end of last season and has since been looking for a club.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis is about to open talks with Sorensen’s agent today, in a bid to bolster his squad ahead of the new season.

Pulis only has Steve Simonsen at his disposal, and is looking to strengthen his goalkeeping department ahead of the new season.

Scott Carson - now with West Brom - had been linked with a transfer to the Potteries but the former Aston Villa and Liverpool man opted to join the newly-promoted Midlands side.

Pulis told Sky Sports News: “The agent’s coming in to speak to Tony (Scholes, chief executive) on Wednesday and hopefully we’ll conclude a deal,”

“I think that the signings that we’ve made so far, and hopefully we can get Thomas, are good signings.”

The interest in Sorensen could end a potential move for Sunderland’s Martin Fulop, who is also linked with the Premier League new-boys.