Real Madrid are in pole position to sign David Villa and have requested that the Valencia forward is not sold until the end of the Spanish season. Chelsea have been long-time admirers of Villa, but José Mourinho’s claim that Chelsea will not spend heavily this summer means that the forward is likely to move to Real. Villa has a buyout clause of £85 million.

Real have requested two weeks’ breathing space while they consider what their next coach may want. They are expected to replace Fabio Capello with Bernd Schuster, the German coach who has been at Getafe.

West Ham United will try to capture Andrew Johnson and Tim Cahill from Everton. The London side attempted to sign Johnson, the forward, last summer, but they balked at the £8.6 million fee that was paid to Crystal Palace.

West Ham have made an approach about Cahill, who is in talks about a new contract. Cahill may be replaced at Goodison Park by Jason Koumas, the West Bromwich Albion midfield player.

Alan Curbishley, the West Ham manager, is close to completing his first signing of the summer. He has agreed to pay a fee of up to £8 million to Newcastle United for Scott Parker, but personal terms have not been agreed with the midfield player. Curbishley is also interested in Joey Barton, the Manchester City midfield player. Matthew Etherington, the West Ham winger, is attracting interest from Fulham.

Bolton Wanderers have joined the race to sign Marcelo, the Corinthians defensive midfield player. Middlesbrough are close to agreeing a fee with Arsenal for Jérémie Aliadière, the forward.

Blackburn Rovers face competition from Portsmouth among other clubs for Peter Odemwingie, the Lille forward.

Morten Gamst Pedersen, the Blackburn winger, is wanted by top clubs in England, according to his agent.

Birmingham City have signed Stuart Parnaby, the defender who is out of contract at Middlesbrough.

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