Dead certs

Sunderland have agreed a £5 million fee with Cardiff City for Michael Chopra. The former England Under-21 striker scored 22 goals in the Coca-Cola Championship last season. He turned down a 12-month contract at Newcastle United to move to Ninian Park for £500,000 last year.

Roy Keane, the Sunderland manager, said: “Chopra looks like one of those players who was unlucky at Newcastle. I’ve seen the lad play a number of times when he was at Newcastle, sometimes for their reserves against Manchester United. He looks like a natural goalscorer.”

Lyn Oslo have bought Emil Hallfredsson from Tottenham Hotspur for an undisclosed fee. The midfield player, who joined two years ago from FH Hafnarfjördur, made six appearances for the reserve team last season.

Rangers have signed Lee McCulloch, the Wigan Athletic midfield player, for £2.25 million on a four-year contract.

Ipswich Town are close to resigning Pablo Couñago after agreeing personal terms with the striker. He was released by Málaga two years after leaving Portman Road. Norwich City have signed David Strihavka, the striker, from Banik Ostrava on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

Decent bets

Dennis Rommedahl has attracted interest from Getafe, the Spanish club managed by Michael Laudrup, his fellow Dane. The Charlton Athletic winger was unable to agree personal terms to move to Rennes last month.

Birmingham City have agreed personal terms with Pascal Feindouno, the midfield player, but they remain in negotiations with Saint-Etienne. The 26-year-old Guinea player has a year left on his contract. He has also been linked to Marseilles.

Long shots

Tottenham Hotspur have made an offer for Gabi Misa, the 16-year-old Celta Vigo midfield player who is also wanted by Valencia. Celta sporting director, Ramón MartÍnez, has spoken to his parents to get him to stay.

Liverpool have offered up to £4 million for Michael Johnson, the Manchester City midfield player. West Ham United face competition from AS Monaco for Achille Emana, the 25-year-old Toulouse midfield player. Habib Beye appears to have turned down a move to Newcastle United and says that he wants to stay at Marseilles, where he has one year left on his contract.

Stephen Appiah, the Fenerbahçe midfield player, says he has received an offer from West Ham. Newcastle United have told West Ham that they will not sell Charles N’Zogbia.

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