Charles N’Zogbia has said that Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur have expressed an interest in signing him, but the Newcastle United midfield player would prefer to move to Arsenal.

“My agents are talking with Tottenham and Aston Villa,” he said. “From what they have told me, Arsenal could also be in the frame, but there hasn’t been a direct approach from them. Personally, I have a little preference for the Gunners but, whatever happens, they are three great and ambitious clubs. It’s very flattering to see them interested in me.”

This is not the first time that N’Zogbia, a former France Under-21 player, has sought to engineer an exit from Newcastle. Since signing from Le Havre in 2004, N’Zogbia has played 116 matches for the club but has consistently expressed his dissatisfaction at St James’ Park.

Liverpool are planning to offer Jermaine Pennant a one-year extension to his contract in an attempt to stop him leaving on a free transfer when his existing deal expires at the end of the season. The winger has attracted interest from AC Milan and Real Madrid in recent weeks.

Liverpool would like to recoup some of the £6 million paid to Birmingham City for Pennant. However, he has barely figured for them this season after falling out with Rafael Benítez, the manager, and appears highly unlikely to extend his stay. The Merseyside club are also struggling to raise the money to buy Glen Johnson, the right back who may sign an improved deal with Portsmouth.

Decent bets

Hull City are in talks with West Ham United about Luís Boa Morte, the Portugal winger who has faced ironic cheering from his own supporters for his performances in recent matches. Boa Morte cost £5 million from Fulham two years ago. Hull have offered about £2 million for the winger. Phil Brown, the manager, is also trying to sign Kevin Kilbane, the Wigan Athletic left winger.

West Ham have given a trial to two Paraguayans, Nelson Amarilla, a 21-year-old defender, and Juan Aguilar, a 19-year-old midfield player. The two Guaraní players were on trial at Wigan in the summer. West Ham are monitoring Bryce Moon, the defender, who has impressed at Panathinaikos since arriving from Ajax Cape Town last summer. The South Africa player can play at right back or on the right wing.

Charlton Athletic are discussing a loan move for Wayne Brown, who has been given permission to leave Hull. The defender has fallen down the pecking order since Hull’s promotion to the Barclays Premier League and had a loan spell with Preston North End this season. John Verhoek has been given trials at Rotherham United and Swansea City. The Dordrecht striker, 19, attracted interest from Birmingham City in the summer. “I am big and strong, but I need to show it in training,” Verhoek said.

Birmingham have signed Hameur Bouazza on loan from Fulham until the end of the season. The winger, 23, has been on loan at Charlton. “I’ve looked at him for a couple of years now,” Alex McLeish, the Birmingham manager, said. “I thought he was a promising young player; quick, direct, knows the English system and can do a job when teamwork is required.“

Dead certs

Brad Jones, the Australia goalkeeper, has signed a new 3½-year deal at Middlesbrough.

Long shots

Villarreal have rejected a bid from Everton to take Jozy Altidore, the United States forward, on loan. Queens Park Rangers have turned down a bid from Wolverhampton Wanderers for Mikele Leigertwood, the midfield player.