Dead certs

Birmingham City are close to a deal to sign Pascal Feindouno from Saint-Etienne for £3.3 million. The midfield player, who has been offered a three-year contract, was part of the Guinea team who reached the quarter-finals of the African Cup of Nations three years ago.

James Milner, the midfield player, has signed a new four-year contract at Newcastle United.

Leicester City completed the signing of Stephen Clemence, the midfield player, from Birmingham for £750,000.

Pablo Couñago has completed a move to Ipswich Town, two years after leaving the club. The striker, 27, signed a two-year contract after being released by Málaga.

Burnley have completed the £250,000 signing of former player Robbie Blake from Leeds United. The 31-year-old forward has signed a three-year contract at Turf Moor.

Hull City have agreed a fee of £400,000 with Colchester United for Wayne Brown, the defender, and are close to signing Christian Nadé, the Sheffield United striker.

Bristol City signed Michael McIndoe from Wolverhampton Wanderers for an undisclosed fee. The winger has agreed a three-year contract six months after leaving Barnsley.

Decent bets

Middlesbrough are interested in James Beattie, the forward who is available for transfer from Everton. Beattie has scored only 13 goals in 76 league appearances — and just two last season — since moving from Southampton for £6 million two years ago.

Arsenal have told Real Madrid that they want £8.4 million for José Antonio Reyes. The Spanish league champions offered £4 million for the forward, who was on loan at the club last season. Real had initially decided not to try to sign Reyes on a permanent transfer.

Fredrik Ljungberg appears closer to joining Fiorentina after his agent said that he would not stay in England if he were to leave Arsenal this summer. The midfield player, who has two years left on his contract, has been approached by Manchester City. Fiorentina have offered about £4.3 million for the Sweden player, but Arsenal want about £1.2 million more. The Serie A side are also unwilling to meet the wage demands of Ljungberg. “Due to his respect for the Arsenal fans he can’t play for another English club,” Claes Elefalk, his agent, said.

Billy Davies, the Derby County manager, has a fight on his hands to sign Eddie Johnson, the striker who has scored nine goals in as many matches for the Kansas City Wizards. Leicester City remain favourites to sign DJ Campbell, the Birmingham City striker, for about £2 million.

Long shots

Aston Villa are among the clubs interested in Kevin Mirallas, the Lille forward. The 19-year-old has represented Belgium at youth levels and was part of the squad that reached the semi-finals of the European Under21 Championship last month. Words by Gary Jacob and Kaveh Solhekol

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