After a relatively quiet summer, Aston Villa are considering an offer of £15 million for Jermain Defoe, the Tottenham Hotspur forward. Despite maintaining he is happy with life at White Hart Lane, Defoe has started every game from the substitute's bench so far this season and was in the starting line-up for just over half of Tottenham's Premiership matches last season.

The England forward, 24, has previously resisted the overtures of Portsmouth but Martin O'Neill, the the Aston Villa manager, hopes Defoe's concerns over his international chances could persuade the former West Ham player to move to Villa Park.

Dynamo Kiev are offering Andriy Shevchenko a chance to revive his career with a loan deal at his former club. The forward, 30, managed just four league goals for Chelsea following his £30 million move to Stamford Bridge from AC Milan last summer and the Ukraine team are optimistic about their chances of signing him. Igor Surkis, the Dynamo Kiev president, said: "I said in every interview that there was a possibility Shevchenko wouldn't play well for Chelsea. I can't say any more. I've asked Shevchenko to ask his board to let him go to Kiev on loan."

Sven-Goran Eriksson, the Manchester City manager, is targeting Portugal international forward Nuno Gomes as he attempts to boost his attacking options before the transfer window closes. Manchester United have emerged as rivals in Eriksson's attempts to sign the Nicolas Anelka, the Bolton Wanderers striker, and the French forward is likely to choose Old Trafford if either club has a £12 million offer accepted but City hope to tie up a deal for Gomes are being told Benfica will let the player leave on a free transfer.

Eriksson is also pondering a move for the Udinese's Borja Oubina after being thwarted in his attempts to sign the Australian Mark Bresciano from Palermo.

Real Betis have emerged as surprise suitors for Bobby Zamora, the West Ham United forward. Manuel Momparlet, the Spanish club's sporting director, said: "Zamora is an excellent player. We'll see if a deal can be done."

Newcastle United are set to cut their losses on Albert Luque by allowing the Spanish forward to join Ajax on a free transfer. The former Mallorca player, 29, has been a major disappointment since joining for £9.5 million from Deportivo in 2005 and while Newcastle had previously rejected loan offers for Luque, they will now get him off the wage-bill.