BABALJ: Young Melbourne Heart striker Eli Babalj has signed with former European champions Red Star Belgrade. Babalj, 20, caught the eye of Red Star manager Robert Prosinecki following a breakthrough A-League season where he scored nine times for Heart.

LELL: Christian Lell is one of four Hertha Berlin players to be shown the door following the club’s relegation to the second division. Lell, Patrick Ebert, Andreas Ottl and Andre Mijatovic have all been told they can find themselves new clubs. The decision to part company with Lell comes a day after the player was banned for five matches for insulting referee Wolfgang Stark.

CLARKE: Former Liverpool assistant boss Steve Clarke is in contention to become West Brom’s new manager. Clarke is the new favourite to replace England manager Roy Hodgson in the Baggies hotseat. Albion have moved quickly to sound out Clarke after he left Anfield and sources close to the club believe he could even be appointed by the weekend.

COSMI: Serse Cosmi is no longer coach of Lecce after the club lost their fight against relegation to Serie B last season. “I already met with the president and thanked him for giving me the opportunity to train in Serie A again,” Cosmi said. Lecce are under investigation for their part in the betting scandal and could be given a heavy points penalty.

ROSSI: Roma have ruled themselves out of the running to sign Villarreal forward Giuseppe Rossi. “We had shown an interest in Giuseppe Rossi,” said Roma general director Franco Baldini. “However, he had another serious knee injury and he will not return to play until March.”

JARDIM: Greek champions Olympiakos have appointed Portuguese coach Leonardo Jardim on a two-year deal. Jardim, 37, takes over from Spaniard Ernesto Valverde who left after leading the team to three domestic titles in as many seasons.