Everton are among the clubs to have expressed an interest in Michael Johnson after the Manchester City midfield player turned down City's offer of a five-year contract. The England under-21 player has also been closely followed by Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Arsenal and Liverpool, who bid £4 million for him last summer.

Johnson has been offered a new deal worth about £24,000 a week, doubling the salary he agreed when he signed a four-year deal with City last August, but that falls short of what he wants after the club valued him at £8 million. Mark Hughes, the City manager, has described him as an “outstanding young talent” and is easger not to lose him. Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager, has been monitoring Johnson, 20, after two central midfield players, Gilberto Silva and Mathieu Flamini, left the club this summer.

Andrei Arshavin has said that he is frustrated that a fee cannot be agreed for him to move from Zenit St Petersburg to Tottenham Hotspur. The Russian club want more than £20 million for the forward, £5 million more than Spurs are willing to offer. "This price tag has frightened everybody off," Arshavin said. “Only Tottenham have dared continue negotiations. My desire to leave is still as strong, but there is nothing more to do now other than hope for a miracle. When Tottenham made their offer I was sceptical at first. But after Juande Ramos called me personally and told me that that they were selling Robbie Keane and that he wanted me in his side, the situation changed. When a coach shows an interest in you, especially such a renowned and strong coach, then that is already half of the success of any move. I also like the way Tottenham play, so I agreed in principle to join.”

Tottenham will announce the signing of Cesar Sanchez today after reaching an agreement with Real Zaragoza, who do not want the goalkeeper. The Spaniard, who has two years left on his contract, will join on season loan, with Tottenham picking up 70 per cent of his salary. Sanchez will be the reserve goalkeeper at White Hart Lane.

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Sporting Lisbon have said that Joao Moutinho will not be leaving, with Everton keep to sign the midfield player. "The subject of Joao Moutinho is closed,” Filipe Soares Franco, the club president, said. “If there is any real news then the club will speak, but until now there have only been rumours in the papers.”

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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