Diego Maradona has said that Carlos Tévez should leave Manchester United for Inter Milan when his loan expires at the end of the season. The Argentina coach said that the forward needs to be playing more regularly. Tévez’s preference is to remain at Old Trafford and his agent has held talks with United about securing a permanent deal this summer. The player was an unused substitute for the 3-0 win at home to Chelsea on Sunday.

“I saw Manchester United win without Tévez,” Maradona said. “This isn’t good for him. Certain episodes are bringing closer his exit. Italy and Inter would be excellent solutions. His contract is running out, which makes it easier to change team.”

Decent bets

Andrei Arshavin has withdrawn from the Zenit St Petersburg squad that will go on a pre-season tour to the United Arab Emirates this month. The Russian club want about £19 million for the forward, who has been linked with Arsenal. Arshavin has said that if he were not allowed to leave this month, he would remain a Zenit player “on paper only”.

Charles N’Zogbia has said that Lyons are interested in signing him from Newcastle United. The midfield player, who said last week that his agent was in talks with Tottenham and Aston Villa, wants to leave with three years left on his contract. “I have experienced six different managers in four years and it is too much,” N’Zogbia said. “Every season is getting worse.”

Marseilles have confirmed that Blackburn Rovers are close to signing Gaël Givet, the left back, until the end of the season with a view to a permanent deal.

Dead certs

Luís Boa Morte is expected to complete a move to Hull City after they agreed personal terms with the Portugal forward, who will cost £2 million from West Ham United. Hull also hope to agree personal terms with Kevin Kilbane, the Wigan Athletic left winger. “We wanted to flood the place with Premier League quality and both those players have it,” Phil Brown, the Hull manager, said.

Leroy Lita has turned down a move to Sheffield United after they agreed a fee in excess of £1 million with Reading. The forward was unable to agree personal terms. United wanted Lita to replace James Beattie, who has joined Stoke City on a 2½-year deal for a fee that could rise to £3.5 million.

Birmingham City have expressed an interest in Calum Davenport, whose proposed move to Bolton Wanderers for £3 million fell through at the weekend when they signed Sébastien Puygenier, the French defender, on loan from Zenit St Petersburg. Birmingham have yet to decide whether they will permanently sign Nigel Quashie, the midfield player who has been on loan from West Ham. Thrasivoulos Athens have signed Leon Knight on a six-month contract after the striker left Rushden & Diamonds.

Long shots

Olivier Dacourt has attracted interested from Bolton and Fulham after the midfield player was told that he can leave Inter. Espanyol and Bologna are also interested in the former Leeds United player. Aston Villa and Liverpool are monitoring Hérita Ilunga, the Toulouse left back who is on loan at West Ham, with a view to a permanent deal of about £1.9 million in the summer. West Ham have first option on the Democratic Republic of Congo player.