Fulham were in talks to sign Pawel Brozek last night as they attempt to strengthen their squad for their Europa League campaign this season. The forward, who has been valued at about £3.5 million, helped Wisla Krakow to the Polish title in each of the past two seasons, scoring a total of 42 goals in the process.

Brede Hangeland has turned down Fulham’s offer of a new contract worth twice his present salary of £15,000 a week. The Norway defender, 27, who has two years left on his contract, has been the subject of interest from several clubs this summer, although none has yet made an offer.

Decent bets
Jean-Louis Triaud, the Bordeaux president, has denied that the French champions have received a £13 million offer from Sunderland for Marouane Chamakh. The Morocco forward has one year left on his contract and is wanted by Arsenal, should Emmanuel Adebayor leave.

“We never received an offer,” Triaud said. “What the f*** would he do at Sunderland? You have heard him say he will only sign for a big English club. I don’t want to insult Sunderland, but I don’t even know where they finished last season.”

Sunderland are close to a deal to sign Paulo da Silva, the Paraguay defender who is available on a free transfer after his contract expired at Deportivo Toluca, of Mexico.

Felipe Melo’s agent has contradicted Fiorentina’s claim that they are in talks with Arsenal to sell the midfield player, with William Gallas or Emmanuel Eboué moving the other way.

Barcelona are set to test Liverpool’s resolve to keep Javier Mascherano by making a £25.7 million bid for the Argentina midfield player this week.

Panathinaikos have expressed an interest in Pascal Chimbonda, the Tottenham Hotspur defender, who has been linked with Marseilles. West Ham United have been offered Bryan Bergougnoux, the Toulouse midfield player who has been the subject of an offer from Kayserispor, of Turkey.

Marc-Antoine Fortuné is waiting for a contract offer from Portsmouth before deciding whether to agree to a move to Celtic. Nancy have accepted offers from the Glasgow side and Hull City for the forward.

Luis García, the former Liverpool forward, has been given permission to leave Atlético Madrid and is attracting interest from Fulham, West Bromwich Albion and Blackburn Rovers. Wolverhampton Wanderers have made an approach for David Odonkor, the Real Betis winger. West Brom have expressed an interest in Kévin Constant, the Châteauroux midfield player.

Dead certs
Portsmouth have failed in an attempt to sign Fernando Belluschi, the Olympiacos and Argentina midfield player who is set to move to Porto. Wolves have signed Ronald Zubar, the defender, on a four-year deal from Marseilles for £2.7 million.

Sheffield United have had bids accepted for Tommy Smith and John-Joe O’Toole, both of Watford, and Michael McIndoe, the Bristol City midfield player. Smith, the forward, would cost £1.8 million, while O’Toole, the midfield player, had a spell on loan at Bramall Lane last season.

Long shots
Tottenham have held talks about signing Álvaro Negredo, the Real Madrid striker who has been linked as part of a possible deal for the Spanish side to sign Xabi Alonso from Liverpool. Spurs want Seville to raise their offer for Didier Zokora, the midfield player, by £3.7 million to about £11.5 million,

Paul Baysse, the Sedan defender, has been linked with West Ham.