Long shots

Rafael Benítez, the Liverpool manager, has confirmed his interest in signing David Villa from Valencia as a replacement for Peter Crouch, whose transfer to Portsmouth should be finalised in the next 24 hours. But any deal is dependent on persuading the club's American owners to loosen the purse strings. Benítez is close to completing a £3million deal to sign Diego Cavalieri, the Palmeiras goalkeeper.

Diego Milito, the Real Zaragoza and Argentina forward, has indicated that he may prefer to stay in Spain or move to Italy rather than join Everton. The Merseyside club are looking for a striker, with Andrew Johnson expected to join Wigan Athletic or Sunderland, but Darren Bent, of Tottenham Hotspur, may be a more realistic target.

Juventus are interested in signing Antti Niemi, the Fulham and Finland goalkeeper. Fulham have signed two goalkeepers this summer, Mark Schwarzer and David Stockdale, and Roy Hodgson, the manager, is prepared to let the 36-year-old go. Hodgson will turn to Stephen Kelly, the Birmingham City right back, if he fails to complete a £1.8million deal for Fredrik Stoor, the Sweden defender, from Rosenborg. Fulham have also been given permission by West Ham United to talk to Bobby Zamora, the forward, and John Paintsil, the defender.

AC Milan are willing to pay Spartak Moscow £15million for Roman Pavlyuchenko, the Russia forward, if they fail to sign Emmanuel Adebayor from Arsenal or Didier Drogba from Chelsea.

Dead certs

Martin O'Neill, the Aston Villa manager, believes that Steve Sidwell, 25, has the appetite to prove himself again in the Barclays Premier League after the former Reading midfield player agreed to join for £5million from Chelsea as a replacement for Gareth Barry. Sidwell was undergoing a medical last night before flying to join his new team-mates in Switzerland. O'Neill will not budge in his £18million valuation of Barry, but has written to Liverpool indicating that he would accept £17million, paid in two instalments, half now, half in a year's time, plus Steve Finnan, the Liverpool right back.

Birmingham have signed Kevin Phillips on a free transfer after West Bromwich Albion refused to offer the 34-year-old striker a two-year deal.

Slobodan Rajkovic, the 19-year-old Chelsea defender, has joined FC Twente, who are coached by Steve McClaren, on a one-year loan.

Decent bets

Paris Saint-Germain are confident of signing Claude Makelele when the Chelsea midfield player returns from holiday next week. Manchester City hope to sign Tal Ben-Haim, the Israel defender, who is surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge.