Dead certs
Darren Bent had a medical at Tottenham Hotspur last night as they finalised a deal to sign the forward from Charlton Athletic on a five-year contract. Tottenham raised their offer by £1 million to about £17 million. Charlton will use £3 million of the money to prise Robert Earnshaw, the forward, from Norwich City.

Sheffield United claim to have agreed to sign Billy Sharp, the forward they released two years ago, but Scunthorpe United have denied that they have accepted an offer of about £2 million.

Decent bets
Chelsea are close to a deal to sign Patrick van Aanholt, a 16-year-old central defender from PSV Eindhoven. Real Madrid are lining up a fresh bid for Arjen Robben, the Chelsea winger who has two years left on his contract.

Steven Davis is hopeful of completing a move to Fulham from Aston Villa. The midfield player, 22, has two years left on his contract. Nottingham Forest have made a £200,000 bid for Kelvin Wilson, the Preston North End defender.

Colchester United have offered about £200,000 for Clive Platt, the Milton Keynes Dons striker.

Long shots
Middlesbrough remain interested in Phil Jagielka, the Sheffield United defender. He is also wanted by Everton and Bolton Wanderers. Gretar Steinsson, the AZ Alkmaar right back, has again been linked with Middlesbrough.

Ipswich Town will turn their attention to Malcolm Christie if they are unable to sign Francis Jeffers from Blackburn Rovers. The former Middlesbrough forward is in talks with Nottingham Forest.

Hull City claim that they will hold talks with Juninho Paulista. The former Brazil midfield player is a free agent after leaving Flamengo.

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