Decent bets

Gervinho, the highly rated Le Mans striker, has claimed that Arsenal are trying to sign him. The 21-year-old Ivory Coast international moved to Le Mans from Beveren, in Belgium, last summer. Arsenal had a co-operation agreement with Beveren until 2006 and have been keeping a close eye on him. “Arsenal have spoken to my agents and we are looking at it,” Gervinho said. “Arsenal have made it clear that they want me.”

Mikaël Silvestre, the Manchester United defender, is weighing up a move to Bordeaux, but he is reluctant to take a wage cut or to miss out on the testimonial year that he is due if he stays at Old Trafford beyond 2009.

Juventus are preparing to look elsewhere after failing to meet Liverpool's £16million asking price for Xabi Alonso. That could have consequences for Liverpool's pursuit of Gareth Barry as they struggle to meet Aston Villa's £18million fee. Liverpool submitted a fourth offer for Barry last night after their £13million offer was rejected on Thursday. Juventus are not willing to pay more than £14million for Alonso.

Middlesbrough and Paris Saint-Germain are haggling over a fee for Didier Digard. The French club want £5million, £1million more than Middlesbrough wish to pay.

Tony Mowbray, the West Bromwich Albion manager, wants to sign Radoslaw Majewski, the Dyskobolia Grodzisk Wielkopolski and Poland midfield player. Mowbray has also contacted Arsenal about loan deals for Alexandre Song and Armand Traoré.

Bolton Wanderers are set to sign Fabrice Muamba, the former Arsenal midfield player, from Birmingham City for £5.5million.

Manchester City are confident that Richard Dunne will stay at the club.

Dead certs

Aaron Ramsey has completed his £5million transfer from Cardiff City to Arsenal. The 17-year-old midfield player rejected approaches from Manchester United and Everton before signing a three-year contract.

Danny Murphy, the former Liverpool midfield player, has signed a new one-year contract at Fulham.

AC Milan have signed Gianluca Zambrotta, the Italy defender, from Barcelona for £7million.

Long shots

Liverpool have insisted that Fernando Torres will not be sold to Chelsea. “Fernando Torres is not for sale to anyone,” Rick Parry, the Liverpool chief executive, said.

Miguel Veloso, a long-time target for Manchester United, fears that he could be priced out of a move to Old Trafford unless Sporting Lisbon drop their asking price from £25million.

Shola Ameobi's proposed £3.5million transfer to Ipswich Town has stalled, with the Newcastle United striker unhappy at the prospect of dropping down a division.

Milan have warned Chelsea that Kaká is not for sale at any price.

Martin O'Neill, the Aston Villa manager, is interested in signing Mariusz Lewandowski, the Poland midfield player, from Shakhtar Donetsk.

Juan, the Flamengo defender, has been offered to Manchester City for £2.5million.

Birmingham have expressed an interest in Jürgen Säumel, the Sturm Graz and Austria midfield player.