The transfer market finally sparked into life eight days before the start of the new Barclays Premier League season when Aston Villa and Everton agreed deals to sign players last night.

Everton agreed a fee of about £2million with Newcastle United for Alan Smith, Villa signed Nicky Shorey for £3.5million from Reading and both clubs set their sights on trying to sign Michael Johnson, the Manchester City midfield player.

Johnson, the England Under-21 player, has turned down City's offer of a five-year contract, which has revived interest from Arsenal, Newcastle and Liverpool, who bid £4million for him last summer. Arsène Wenger, the Arsenal manager, has been monitoring Johnson, 20, after two central midfield players, Gilberto Silva and Mathieu Flamini, left the club this summer.

Smith's proposed move to Goodison Park will depend on the former England forward's willingness to take a pay cut from £60,000 a week, with Everton offering about £40,000. In addition to signing Shorey, the left back, Villa are expected to complete a deal to sign Luke Young for £5million from Middlesbrough today.

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Young, the right back, moved from Charlton Athletic for £2.5million two years ago. Villa are also interested in signing Younès Kaboul, the Tottenham Hotspur defender, after the departure of Olof Mellberg to Juventus and the ankle injury suffered by Wilfred Bouma.

Decent bets

Moritz Volz has emerged as one of the favoured options being considered by Middlesbrough to replace Young. The German earns £15,000 a week and has a year left on his contract at Fulham, who have made him available for transfer.

Tottenham are expected to complete a £6.8million deal for Vedran Corluka, the Manchester City right back, over the weekend. They plan to use the Croatia player in central defence, alongside Jonathan Woodgate.

Everton have increased their offer for João Moutinho, the Sporting Lisbon midfield player, from £11.8million to £13million. Real Zaragoza are demanding a £240,000 transfer fee for César Sánchez, although Tottenham want the 36-year-old goalkeeper on a free transfer. The North London club are willing to pay him £16,500 a week, only 60 per cent of his present wage, with the Spanish club paying the rest. Reading are likely to move for Joe Mattock, the Leicester City left back, as a replacement for Shorey.

Long shots

Blackburn Rovers have rejected an unspecified bid from Galatasaray for Benni McCarthy, the forward, and will not welcome an offer from Sunderland. The Lancashire club hope to sign Anthony Annan, the Ghana midfield player, from IK Start, of Norway, for less than £2million.

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