Bolton Wanderers are ready to meet Fulham’s asking price of £5 million for Jimmy Bullard. The 29-year-old midfield player, who was called up to the England squad last summer, has 18 months left on his contract at Craven Cottage, but talks over a new deal stalled when he indicated that he wanted his wages to be doubled to £50,000 a week. Roy Hodgson, the Fulham manager, would prefer to keep Bullard, but not at any price. Bolton made their move after they failed to convince Newcastle United to sell Joey Barton for £2 million.

Decent bets

Roque Santa Cruz has told Blackburn Rovers that he wants to join Manchester City, but Blackburn are holding out for £25 million for the Paraguay forward. “I thought that what City have offered, £16 million, would be accepted,” Santa Cruz said. “For £25 million Blackburn said I would be allowed to leave. I want to go.” Rovers have signed defender Gaël Givet on loan from Marseilles for the rest of the season.

Tottenham Hotspur have had their £10 million offer for Wigan midfield player Wilson Palacios turned down. Dave Whelan, the Wigan chairman, said: “£10 million is not enough. We told them what he’s worth. We’ll sit and wait and see.” Gilmar Rinaldi, agent for Adriano, has said Spurs cannot have the Inter forward on loan. Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, the former Arsenal forward, and Stephen Appiah, the former Fenerbahce forward, have played in a behind-closed-doors friendly in an attempt to impress Harry Redknapp, the Spurs manager.

Gérémi, the Cameroon international, is in talks with Besiktas after being told he can leave Newcastle for a fee of about £1.5 million. He is one of the club’s highest earners, commanding a weekly wage in excess of £50,000, and the manager hopes some of those savings will be reinvested on new players. Newcastle have an interest in Albin Ebondo, the Toulouse defender, and Stéphane M’Bia, the Rennes and Cameroon midfield player, initially on loan for the rest of the season. The unsettled Charles N’Zogbia has reiterated his desire to leave Tyneside for Lyons. “It is up to them to approach Newcastle and me. I am waiting for them. Lyon, make a move,” the midfield player said.

Liam Miller, the midfield player, is expected to join Queens Park Rangers on loan from Sunderland. Ricky Sbragia, the Sunderland manager, has denied any interest in Tal Ben-Haim, of Manchester City.

Dead certs

Fulham have allowed Seol Ki Hyeon to join Al-Hilal, the Saudi Arabian club, on loan until the end of the season. West Bromwich Albion have signed Marc-Antoine Fortuné, the 27-year-old Nancy forward, on loan until the end of the season.