There seems to be a conclusion in sight over Chelsea's attempts to sign Marseille's Didier Drogba after the Stamford Bridge club improved their offer for the striker, although it's doubtful if the fee will be anywhere near the £27 million price tag the French club slapped on their star.
The move, which was dependent on Hernan Crespo's switch to AC Milan, on a one-year loan, looks set to go ahead after Marseille Director Papa Diouf said: "It would have been great to keep Didier. But if we sell him we can buy three international players for the same money."
Crespo has been in Italy over the past few days discussing details of his move to the San Siro.
Chelsea are also reported to be on the verge of signing Benfica's Portuguese international Tiago, for around £8 million. Rumours in Portugal suggest that a five-year deal has already been agreed for the midfielder.
It seems that all is not well at St James' Park where club captain Alan Shearer has issued a thinly disguised 'play me or I go' ultimatum to the club. Shearer, a legend on Tyneside, has already said that this coming season will be his last before he retires but doesn't want to be a bit-part player.
He has said: "If the manager said I wasn't going to be a regular I'd have to consider things. I don't want my last season to be an anti-climax. I want to play as much football as I can."
Hugo Viana, the Portuguese midfielder who has had a torrid time at Newcastle, says he is prepared to go 'anywhere' to end his unhappy time at St James' Park. He says: "I don't like being here. I don't feel well at Newcastle. I want to leave. I am willing to go to any team in the world."
Freddie Ljungberg has urged his Highbury teammate Patrick Vieira to reject the overtures of Real Madrid, which seem to be getting stronger by the day.
The Swede says: "If I have a message for him it's simple. Let's stay together and build something really special here. I have not had the chance to speak to Patrick yet but of course none of us want to think about him leaving."
Robbie Savage has agreed a new four-year deal that will keep him at Birmingham City until 2008. The midfielder, courted by Everton, said: "The contract was agreed a few weeks ago and I was always going to sign it. I am a man of my word. We have made some good signings this summer and I'm looking forward to the new season."
West Ham United seem to have won the race to sign Teddy Sheringham, and both parties seem delighted. Hammers' boss Alan Pardew says: "I'm delighted to have signed Teddy, whose vast experience will be a vital ingredient to my promotion plans."
Sheringham says he relishes the challenge, saying: "I'm delighted to be here. I was a Hammers' fan as a youngster and stood on the old North Bank with my big brother. I'm sure I will enjoy helping the team to achieve their promotion goal."
