Sunderland have given Younès Kaboul and Steed Malbranque until today to decide whether they want to join from Tottenham Hotspur. The players have attracted interest from Aston Villa and Portsmouth, with the latter being the preferred destination of Kaboul, the defender. “We are very hopeful, but I appreciate that it is a big decision for them,” Roy Keane, the Sunderland manager, said.

Decent bets

Chelsea have accepted a £5 million bid from Manchester City for Tal Ben-Haim, the Israel defender, who has been offered a four-year deal.

Blackburn Rovers are interested in signing Mark Bresciano, the Palermo and Australia midfield player.

West Bromwich Albion have made an improved second bid of £2 million for Abdoulaye Meïté, the Bolton Wanderers defender, and have agreed to sign Madjid Bougherra, the Algeria defender, for a fee of about £2.5million from Charlton Athletic.

Dead certs

Lee Cattermole has signed a three-year contract with Wigan Athletic after joining from Middlesbrough for £3.5 million. Cattermole, 20, made his debut two years ago. “He’s young, he’s courageous, he’s a tireless worker,” Steve Bruce, the Wigan manager, said.

Hull City have signed Anthony Gardner on loan from Tottenham until January. The defender, who was on loan at Everton last season, moved to White Hart Lane from Port Vale eight years ago.

Birmingham City have signed Kemy Agustien on a season’s loan from AZ Alkmaar, with a view to a permanent deal. The 21-year-old midfield player can also play in defence. Chris Eagles has signed a three-year deal with Burnley after leaving Manchester United. Maynor Figueroa, the Deportivo Olimpia and Honduras left back, has had his loan at Wigan extended by six months, with a view to a permanent transfer.

Long shots

Sunderland could move for Louis Saha, the Manchester United and France striker, but the Wearside club are reluctant to meet the £10 million-plus asking price, given the player’s poor injury record.

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