Liverpool will intensify their efforts to sign David Silva, the Valencia playmaker, with Xabi Alonso expected to complete a £32 million move to Real Madrid next week.

The Spain midfield player is not expected to travel with the Liverpool squad for their pre-season tour to Asia tomorrow night. Real Sociedad, who sold Alonso for £10.5 million in August 2004, stood to receive 20 per cent of the transfer fee, but that agreement is scheduled to expire today.

It was unclear last night whether Wesley Sneijder, Real’s attacking midfield player, would be used as a makeweight in the prospective transfer.

Decent bets

Manchester City’s hopes of signing Emmanuel Adebayor from Arsenal are in the balance, with the Togo striker believed to be pursuing a move to Chelsea. Although his apparent lack of commitment is a blow for City, they are still planning to hold talks with the 25-year-old this weekend.

City will make an improved offer for Joleon Lescott after a £15 million bid for the defender was rejected by Everton. Matthew Upson, of West Ham United, is a possible replacement for Lescott, his fellow England defender.

Alan Hutton and Pascal Chimbonda, the Tottenham Hotspur defenders, have been the subject of inquiries from Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers respectively. Kyle Walker, 19, is expected to move to Tottenham for £3 million from Sheffield United, although he is expected to return to the Coca-Cola Championship club on loan. However, Kyle Naughton, 20, his fellow United defender, may not follow. Everton must match Tottenham’s £5 million offer for Naughton, who leaning towards a move to Spurs.

Marouane Chamakh, the Bordeaux forward, has said that he wants his future resolved this week, amid interest from several Barclays Premier League clubs, including Arsenal. “It’s hot with Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers, where I could have already signed because I found an agreement with them,” he said. “It doesn’t bother me to play for Sunderland or Blackburn, even if my president is asking himself what I would do there.”

Bordeaux have inquired about Philippe Senderos, the defender who has one year left on his contract at Arsenal. Celta Vigo are expected to sign Pedro Botelho, the Arsenal left back, this week.

Bolton Wanderers have been offered Achille Emana, the Betis and Cameroon midfield player. Inter Milan are in talks about selling Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Barcelona as part of a deal for Samuel Eto’o.

Dead certs
Barry Ferguson has signed a three-year deal with Birmingham City after the midfield player moved from Rangers for about £1.5 million.

Nottingham Forest have agreed a fee of £1.75 million with Tottenham for Chris Gunter, who was on loan at the City Ground last season. The right back, 19, has agreed personal terms, only 18 months after he moved to Tottenham from Cardiff City for up to £2 million.

Paul McKenna, the Preston North End midfield player, is to have talks with Forest after the clubs agreed a fee of £750,000.

Liverpool are close to a deal to sign Nikolaj Kohlert, the 16-year-old Esbjergs midfield player.

Reading have agreed to sign Ryan Bertrand, the left back, on a season-long loan from Chelsea.