Dead certs

Manchester City’s transformation will gather pace today when Martin Petrov is expected to have a medical at the club. The Bulgaria winger was given permission by Atletico Madrid to discuss a move to the Barclays Premier League and is likely to complete a £7 million move to City.

Tottenham Hotspur have signed Danny Rose, the England under-17 midfield player, from Leeds United.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have secured Michael Gray on a one-year contract. The 32-year-old left back was released by Blackburn Rovers.

Claude Davis has obtained a work permit and Derby County have agreed to sign the defender from Sheffield United for £3 million. Luke Young has passed a medical and should move to Middlesbrough from Charlton Athletic for £2.5m.

Decent bets

Birmingham City expect to sign Hossam Ghaly, despite not yet having agreed personal terms. The club have approved a fee rising to £3m for the Egypt midfield player. There are complications to resolve before Birmingham can sign Mido, though, not least the wage demands of the Tottenham Hotspur forward.

Kevin-Prince Boateng appears to be closer to a move to Tottenham, after the club offered £4.7 million for the Hertha Berlin midfield player.

Charles Itandje, the Lens goalkeeper, has attracted interest from Blackburn Rovers and Bolton Wanderers. Blackburn are hoping to sign Roque Santa Cruz, the Bayern Munich forward, for about £4.5m but have also earmarked James Beattie, the Everton forward.

West Bromwich Albion have expressed interest in Carl Hoefkens, the Stoke City right back.

Manchester United have said that Middlesbrough remain keen to sign Alan Smith.

Real Madrid remain confident of signing Arjen Robben, the Chelsea winger.

Long shots

Leighton Baines, the Wigan Athletic left back, has turned down a move to Sunderland and appears keen to join Everton. Baines held talks with Sunderland. Everton are thought to be willing to offer £4.5m, but Wigan are unwilling to accept less than £6m. Sunderland may turn to Paul McShane, the West Bromwich Albion defender, instead.

Manchester City have invited three players from the Thailand team for a trial. They are Teerasil Daengda, a striker, Suree Sukha, a full back, and Kiatprawut Saiwaeo, a centre back.

Lyons have expressed interest in Jose Antonio Reyes. The forward, on loan at Real Madrid last season, has four years left on his Arsenal contract.

Manchester United have said that Gerard Pique and Giuseppe Rossi will stay with the club. Pique, the defender, had interest from Barcelona and Real Zaragoza, while Rossi has attracted interest from Juventus, Parma and AS Roma.

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