Gunners among Premiership trio in late transfer action

Arsenal, West Ham and Newcastle beat Friday's transfer deadline by a matter of minutes to make late additions to their respective squads.

Arsenal signed France international midfielder Lassana Diarra from Chelsea on a "long-term contract" for an undisclosed fee.

West Ham confirmed they signed Henri Camara from Wigan and Nolberto Solano from Newcastle, while the Magpies beat the midnight deadline to complete the signings of Habib Beye and Abdoulaye Faye.

Versatile 22-year-old Diarra had found first-team opportunities limited at Stamford Bridge and told arsenal.com: "I have great respect for the manager Arsene Wenger and am attracted by the style of football that the team plays.

"Of course I am excited by what the future holds and keen to play my part in helping Arsenal fight for trophies this season and for years to come."

Striker Camara has signed on a season-long loan at Upton Park while Solano joins on a one-year contract with the option of another year. Neither signed in time to play for the Hammers against Reading on Saturday.

Defensive pair Beye and Faye had been expected to make the move to St James' Park but left it late to confirm their three-year deals.

Middlesbrough overcame a late complication to complete the signing of Gary O'Neil from Portsmouth less than an hour before the transfer deadline. The 24-year-old underwent a medical on Teesside after the two clubs agreed a five million pounds (10 million dollars) fee.

Boro boss Gareth Southgate told Sky Sports News: "We've just completed the deal, we've very pleased and I'm looking forward to getting home to bed!"

Boca Juniors given extra time to lure Villarreal's Riquelme

Argentine giants Boca Juniors have been given an extra 72 hours to try and negotiate the purchase of Villarreal midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme.

The Buenos Aires-based club have had an 8.8 million euros offer for the Argentine midfielder rejected by the Spanish league side, and are now set to increase their bid to secure the Argentine.

The transfer deadline in Europe was midnight on Friday but the Argentine Football Federation (AFA) said Friday they had given Boca until Monday night to finalise ongoing negotiations with Villarreal.

Riquelme, whose four-month loan spell at Boca ended in June, is linked with the Valencia-based club until June 2009.