Decent bets

Birmingham City are close to signing James McFadden from Everton and David Murphy from Hibernian. Everton are asking for £5.7 million for McFadden, the Scotland forward. Birmingham’s bids of £2.5 million then £3 million were rejected, but negotiations continue and a deal could be completed by the weekend. Murphy, a left back, will cost about £2 million. He is also interesting Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic.

Portsmouth hope to announce the signing of Lassana Diarra today and have the France midfield player in their squad for Saturday’s Barclays Premier League match at home to Derby County. The player has passed a medical and is reported to have agreed personal terms, with the details of the transfer from Arsenal to be ironed out. Portsmouth are also reported to be interested in taking Steve Sidwell on loan from Chelsea but could face competition from Everton and Tottenham Hotspur.

Rodrigo, the agent and brother of Fred, the Lyons forward, claims that Tottenham are to make a new approach for the Brazilian. “We are meeting with Damien Comolli, Spurs’ sporting director,” he told L’Equipe, the French sports newspaper. “He is coming with a new offer. If it is good, Fred will sign for Tottenham.”

Paris Saint-Germain are also competing for his signature. Tottenham may reevaluate their interest since Jermain Defoe and Dimitar Berbatov, two of their four strikers, look likely to stay until the summer.

Dead certs

Reading are on the verge of completing the signing of Udo Nwoko, the Malta and Leixoes, of Portugal, midfield player, who has had a medical. “I know the Premier League from the television and it would be sensational to play there,” Nwoko said. “I am very excited and Reading is a fighter club, which is perfect for my style of play.”

Long shots

Amdy Faye’s possible move from Charlton Athletic to Blackburn Rovers could fall foul of Fifa rules. Faye has been on loan to Rangers after playing for Charlton, but Fifa regulations prevent a player featuring for three clubs in a season.

Luke Moore, of Aston Villa, has turned down a new four-year contract because of a lack of first-team appearances, which could alert several other Premier League clubs, and Wigan have turned down a £3 million bid from Fulham for Paul Scharner.

Explore Football

• Premier League

• Football League

• Scotland

• European Football

• International Football

• TheGame

• Live Match Tracker

• The Fink Tank

• Fantasy Football