Decent bets

Aston Villa are in talks with Benfica about Eric Djemba-Djemba. The Cameroon midfield player is expected to cost the Portuguese club about £700,000. Djemba-Djemba, who was on loan to Burnley last season, has never established himself in England since joining Manchester United for £3.5 million from Nantes in 2003. He moved to Villa for £1.35 million two years ago but made only 13 starting appearances in the league.

Diego Simeone, the former Argentina midfield player, has advised Carlos Tévez, his compatriot, to join Inter Milan, who have made an offer to sign the forward. Simeone also played for the Serie A club, who boast eight Argentina players. Tévez is also wanted by Manchester United, who have offered to take him on loan, with a view to a permanent deal, and West Ham United, who have an option to sign him for £35 million after his loan spell ended at the end of last season.

West Ham are more keen to strike a deal after they were turned down by Darren Bent last week, having agreed a deal to sign the Charlton Athletic striker. “Carlos is a phenomenon,” Simeone said.

Portsmouth are favourites to sign Alou Diarra, the Lyons midfield player, according to Jean-Michel Aulas, the French club’s chairman. Aulas has said that he is waiting for a fax to confirm Portsmouth’s offer of £6 million.

Birmingham City have made an inquiry for Joe Ledley, the Cardiff City and Wales winger. Cardiff are interested in Craig Beattie, the striker who can leave Celtic.

Norwich City have expressed an interest in Freddy Eastwood and Billy Sharp. Southend United may have to sell Eastwood but the forward is more likely to move to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Sharp scored 32 goals for Scunthorpe United last season.

Dead certs

Tiago, who left Chelsea two years ago, is expected to be transferred to an Italian club this week. The Lyons and Portugal midfield player is wanted by AC Milan and Juventus. A fee of about £10 million has been suggested.

Long shots

Juventus and AS Roma have expressed an interest in Craig Bellamy, the Liverpool striker. Bellamy can leave the Anfield club, but they have valued him at £12 million, double the amount they paid Blackburn Rovers last summer.

Liverpool would ask Roma for Alessandro Mancini, the midfield player, as part of any deal for Bellamy. Blackburn, West Ham United and Aston Villa have also shown interest in the Wales forward.

Bruno Alves will not be joining Villa, according to the central defender’s agent. Alves has three years left on his contract at FC Porto. “Villa have been watching Bruno, but they haven’t spoken to me,” Christophe Mongai said. “He will be staying at Porto.”

Celtic have expressed an interest in Ricardo Faty, the defensive midfield player who has said that he would like to leave Roma.

Lyons have inquired about Patrice Evra, the Manchester United left back.

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