Liverpool have offered £2million to Portsmouth for Sylvain Distin in an attempt to replace Sami Hyypia, who has left for Bayer Leverkusen after ten years at the club. The 31-year-old defender has one year left on his contract at Fratton Park, after joining from Manchester City two years ago.

Dead certs

Birmingham City have agreed to sign Christian Benítez for a club-record fee, beating the £6.25million that was paid to Liverpool when they bought Emile Heskey five years ago. The Ecuador striker will travel to England for a medical next week and will need a work permit. He has scored 31 goals in his past 58 league games for Santos Laguna in Mexico.

West Ham United have signed Peter Kurucz on a four-year deal. The Hungary Under-21 goalkeeper had been on loan from Ujpest.

Decent bets

West Ham have inquired about Rod Fanni, the Rennes right back, as a replacement for Lucas Neill, who rejected the offer of a new deal. Fanni, 27, has been capped twice by France.

Elano has claimed that Inter Milan are trying to sign him from Manchester City. The Brazil midfield player is likely to fall farther down the pecking order after the arrival of Gareth Barry. “There are negotiations and I hope the Inter directors will go right to the end,” he said. “I want to wear the Inter shirt.”

Long shots

Aston Villa have bid £7million for José Manuel Jurado, according to reports in Spain. The 22-year-old Atlético Madrid midfield player was on loan at Real Mallorca last season. Villa have also been linked with Nenad Milijas, the Serbia and Red Star Belgrade midfield player for whom Wolverhampton Wanderers are thought to have made a bid.

Tuncay Sanli claims that Liverpool are interested in him. “I've heard something about that, but nothing official has arrived,” the Turkey and Middlesbrough forward said. Fulham also want him.