Decent bets

Pascal Chimbonda will undergo a medical at Sunderland today and, should a deal be completed, it is likely that he will be followed by Teemu Tainio, his Tottenham Hotspur teammate. Sunderland have agreed to pay a total of £23 million for the pair plus two other Spurs players, Steed Malbranque and Younès Kaboul, who is a target for Portsmouth. Harry Redknapp, the Portsmouth manager, claims that Aston Villa are also rivals for Kaboul’s signature.

Chimbonda, 29, will cost about £4.9 million alone if the combined package falls through. Tainio has agreed to move if personal terms can be reached. “It would be an interesting option; the first impression was good,” Tainio said.

Tottenham are believed to have made inquiries about signing Fernando Meira, 30, the VfB Stuttgart and Portugal centre back. They are seeking cover because of concerns about Ledley King’s injuries.

Sunderland have expressed an interest in signing Nikola Zigic, the 6ft 7in Serbia striker, who is available for £5 million from Valencia. Stoke City, who have bought Dave Kitson for £5.5 million, have asked about a loan deal for Zigic. Stoke are also keen on Aaron Mokoena, the Blackburn Rovers defensive midfield player.

Nolberto Solano is in talks to join the Los Angeles Galaxy after being released by West Ham United. The Peru winger, 33, played under Ruud Gullit, the Major League Soccer team’s coach, at Newcastle United.

Wigan Athletic are trying to re-sign Jimmy Bullard. The midfield player joined Fulham for £2.5 million two years ago but has been put up for sale.

Hull City are holding talks with Marlon King after agreeing a £3 million fee with Wigan for the forward, who cost £4 million from Watford in January. Hull have also made an offer for Noé Pamarot, the Portsmouth defender, and expressed an interest in his teammate, Sean Davis, the midfield player.

Inter Milan are thought to be considering a move for Sulley Muntari, the midfield player who is available for £10 million from Portsmouth.

Dead certs

Wigan have signed Amr Zaki, the striker, on a one-season loan deal from Zamalek, of Egypt. Everton’s interest in Vladimir Stojkovic has ended after the Sporting Lisbon goalkeeper unexpectedly left Merseyside an hour after arriving for a trial.

Long shots

Seville have offered Arouna Koné, the 24-year-old Ivory Coast forward, to Middlesbrough. Stoke City have offered a deal that could rise to £6 million for Marton Fulop, the Sunderland goalkeeper.