Decent bets

Inter Milan claim that they have entered the race to sign Carlos Tévez from West Ham United. Manchester United, Real Madrid and Chelsea have expressed an interest in signing the Argentina forward. United have not yet entered formal negotiations and Real are likely to step up their interest after the Spanish season ends on Sunday.

Birmingham City are favourites to sign Tuncay Sanli, who has played on the wing and as a forward for Fenerbahçe. Newcastle United and Manchester City also have expressed an interest in Sanli, 25, who is available on a free transfer.

David Nugent has reiterated his desire to leave Preston North End, even if Everton do not proceed with their inquiry for the forward. The Coca-Cola Championship club have valued Nugent at £7 million. “Everton is my favourite club, but if that doesn’t happen then I’m not going to hang around waiting,” the forward said. “I need to play in the Premiership.” Sunderland are favourites to sign Neil Lennon after he turned down a move to Wycombe Wanderers. The midfield player was released by Celtic this summer.

Newcastle are confident of signing Ben Tal Haim and David Rozehnal, the defenders, this week. Tal Haim is out of contract at Bolton Wanderers. Rozehnal will cost about £3.3 million from Paris Saint-Germain.

Coventry City and Nottingham Forest are interested in signing Leon Best, the Southampton striker.

Dead certs

Southampton have exercised an option to buy Marek Saganowski from Troyes for £680,000, according to the French club. The forward scored ten goals in 13 appearances after he arrived on loan in January. He began his career with LKS Lódz, the Polish club, in 1994 and has had spells at Feyenoord and SV Hamburg. He joined Troyes from Vitória Guimarães, of Portugal, for £1 million last year.

Simon King, the defender, has joined Gillingham from Barnet for £200,000.

Long shots

Portsmouth are believed to have increased their offer for Alou Diarra to about £5.8 million after their first offer of £4.4 million was turned down by Lyons. Diarra has told Alain Perrin, the former Portsmouth manager now in charge at Lyons, that he wants to leave. Werder Bremen have proposed a deal to sign the midfield player in part exchange with Miroslav Klose. Juventus are interested, too.

Marouane Chamakh, the Bordeaux and Morocco forward, has been watched by Tottenham Hotspur and Rangers.

Newcastle United have expressed an interest in Ludovic Giuly, according Sébastien Riera, the representative of the Barcelona winger. Newcastle have also been monitoring Habib Beye, the Marseilles defender.

Chelsea are interested in Alexandre Pato, the 17-year-old Internacional of Porto Alegre forward. He is expected to play for Brazil in the Under-20 World Cup in Canada this month.

Fenerbahçe are interested in Andriy Shevchenko, the Chelsea forward, after agreeing a deal to sign Roberto Carlos, the 34-year-old Real Madrid defender.

Everton are unwilling to meet Benfica’s £12 million valuation of Manuel Fernandes. The 21-year-old Portugal midfield player has been on loan at Goodison Park and Portsmouth this season. Fernandes is jointly owned by Benfica and a management company.

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