City launch late Johnson bid

Gordon Strachan's hopes of hanging on to Adam Johnson were fading last night after Middlesbrough’s prize asset asked to be allowed to speak to Manchester City. Roberto Mancini leads the chasing pack for Johnson but may have to table a £9million bid for him before Monday’s transfer deadline. Gordon Strachan would let Johnson go for £9m but has told chairman Steve Gibson that any hopes of making an immediate return to the Premier League this season would be dashed without his top scorer.

Source: Daily Express

Newcastle join Moses race

Newcastle United offered £1.5 million up front for Victor Moses, the Crystal Palace forward, last night, matching the bid made by West Bromwich Albion. Palace, who are in administration, are hoping to raise more for the 19-year-old, who has attracted interest from Nottingham Forest, Fulham and Manchester City. West Ham United have offered an initial £500,000 rising to about £2 million, but the deal is less attractive to Palace because they require significant funds this month.

Source: The Times

Sunderland linked with cut-price Benjani move

Sunderland have made a cut-price move for Manchester City striker Benjani. The Zimbabwe centre forward is due to hold talks today over a £1.5million move after looking poised to join West Ham earlier this week. The 31-year-old was also wanted by Blackburn, Galatasaray and Birmingham.

Source: Daily Mail

Birmingham chase Dindane for forward line

Birmingham want to take Aruna Dindane on loan after his move to Bolton stalled. Lens do not want the Ivory Coast striker to return to Portsmouth and would prefer a £4m deal. Birmingham, who are also competing with West Ham and Blackburn for Manchester City’s Benjani, have seen an £8m bid for Roman Pavlyuchenko rejected by Tottenham. The 28-year-old is holding out for a move back to Russia.

Source: Daily Mail

Celtic back Mowbray with transfer chest

Celtic will show their faith in Tony Mowbray by allowing the manager to sign a central defender and a striker before the transfer window closes on Monday. Mowbray is six months into his time at Parkhead and after last night's 2-1 home defeat by Hibernian his team are 10 points behind the Scottish Premier League leaders, Rangers. Those close to Mowbray say there is no prospect of him resigning but Celtic's shortcomings in comparison to Rangers, whose financial problems have been well-publicised, will not have been lost on the club's board of directors or the majority shareholder, Dermot Desmond. Mowbray is concentrating on transfer business. Preston North End's Sean St Ledger is thought to be his main defensive target, with Celtic set to increase an initial offer of £2.5m for the Republic of Ireland player.

Source: The Guardian

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