Football news

Sunderland are hopeful they will sign Mido and Craig Gordon before the start of the Premier League season. Manager Roy Keane has already confirmed the club have made a bid for Tottenham striker Mido, who looked set to join Birmingham for £6 million until the deal fell through.

And Sunderland are battling with Aston Villa to persuade 24-year-old Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon to join the club.

Keane said: "We are trying hard... there are lots of bits and pieces going on behind the scenes. If it takes a bit longer so be it - we are not going to lose our nerve now."

Koller chased by English clubs

Three Premier League clubs want to sign veteran striker Jan Koller.

Reports in France claim Birmingham, Middlesbrough and Reading are among those considering a move for the 34-year-old Czech.

Koller is unsettled at Monaco, knowing he is unlikely to be first choice in the team's line-up. Now it is claimed that a number of clubs are keeping tabs on him before the transfer window closes at the end of August.

As well as Premier League interest, FC Twente, AZ Alkmaar and Fenerbahce are also said to be monitoring the situation.

Cassano not in Samp's plans

Sampdoria rejected reports they are planning to sign Antonio Cassano from Real Madrid. Cassano is looking for a club after new Real Madrid boss Bernd Schuster made it clear that he is not part of his plans.

"I don't think the Cassano option is possible, at least not this year," coach Walter Mazzarri said. "I was informed about these rumours, but I have never spoken about this possibility and I know nothing about it.

"This is not a strategy, it's the truth."

Sampdoria had already been linked with the former Roma forward earlier this summer, when Mazzarri stated that the reports were "nothing but pure fantasy."

Fiorentina... €19m for Maxi

Fiorentina are lining up a €19m bid for Atletico Madrid midfielder Maxi Rodriguez. The Atletico player has been targeted by sporting director Pantaleo Corvino, who is planning to close the transfer window with a major signing and had already offered €15m.

According to AS, Fiorentina have been following Rodriguez for a while and are now ready to table a €19m bid to Atletico Madrid after they rejected the first offer.

Things might not be that simple though, as Atletico are not keen on letting another key player leave after striker Fernando Torres's move to Liverpool.

Cruz won't join Napoli

Julio Cruz will not leave Inter to play for Napoli, according to the Argentine's agent. Cruz made 14 Serie A appearances last term, scoring seven goals. He has been linked with a summer exit after David Suazo's arrival at the San Siro.

"Cruz to Napoli? I don't think so, his wages are too high for them," Jorge Czysterpiller said. "I don't believe that a move to Napoli is likely, even if the player were to reduce his salary.

"Cruz wants to stay at Inter, he has reiterated this often in the past."

Everton complete Baines signing

Leighton Baines finally joined Everton from Wigan for a fee that could be worth €9m. The 22-year-old left-back has signed a five-year deal after agreeing personal terms and passing a medical.

The Kirkby-born defender is Everton's third signing of the summer, following Phil Jagielka and Steven Pienaar.

Everton initially saw a bid of about €6m rejected by Wigan, but the two clubs have now come to an agreement over the price. The Toffees will pay an initial €7.4m but the deal could cost them another €1.5m in potential add-ons.

Drenthe ready for Real move

Feyenoord could face court action as Royston Drenthe is demanding a move to Real Madrid. Reports emanating from Holland claim the Dutch U-21 international is seeking the help of a lawyer to secure his release.

Real are leading the chase to sign the winger with Chelsea and Barcelona also credited with an interest in Drenthe.

Feyenoord general manager Peter Vogelzang has expressed his disappointment at Drenthe's stance.

He said: "We have made our standpoint public a few times already and nothing has changed in that: Feyenoord don't want to see Royston Drenthe go to another club."

Sochaux want Le Tallec

Liverpool forward Anthony Le Tallec is attracting Sochaux's interest.

Le Tallec, 22, was a hit at the Ligue 1 side who are competing with Fulham, Birmingham and Middlesbrough for the player's signature.

But Sochaux president Jean-Claude Plessis is concerned about the wages Le Tallec could command.

"It is no longer a question of getting an additional attacker, save perhaps Anthony," Plessis said. "He has an English salary and I can't break the wage bill of this club just like that."

City trio on transfer list

Ousmane Dabo, Danny Mills and Paul Dickov were put on the transfer list by Manchester City yesterday.

Manager Sven-Goran Eriksson will listen to offers for Dickov, Mills and Dabo, the Frenchman who was at the centre of an alleged training-ground incident with Joey Barton.

Eriksson is preparing to clear out the players he deems surplus to requirements but failed to wrap up his ninth signing with Australian midfielder Mark Bresciano. The £3 million move from Palermo apparently fell through yesterday.