Dead certs
Diomansy Kamara, the forward, has signed a four-year contract at Fulham after leaving West Bromwich Albion in a deal worth up to £6 million. West Bromwich also accepted an offer of £5.3 million from Wigan Athletic for Jason Koumas, the Wales midfield player. Stephen Hunt, the Reading midfield player, has signed a new three-year contract.
Colchester United have signed Danny Granville, the defender, on a free transfer from Crystal Palace and Matthew Connolly, another defender, on loan for the season from Arsenal.
David Strihavka is expected to sign a four-year deal with Norwich City. The Banik Ostrava forward was the top scorer in the Czech Republic’s top division last season with 13 goals.
Ipswich Town are expected to sign Neil Alexander, the goalkeeper who is out of contract.
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Decent bets
Portsmouth are expected to complete the signing of David Nugent, the England Under-21 forward, from Preston North End within 48 hours. Nugent spoke to Harry Redknapp, the Portsmouth manager, last week and is understood to have been at the club discussing personal terms yesterday.
Redknapp also agreed a deal with Rennes to sign John Utaka, the Nigeria player, for £6.75 million rising to £8.1 million, and have held talks about recruiting Fr?d?ric Kanout? from Seville. The Spanish club have said that they want £10 million for the forward, but Portsmouth have offered less than half that. “I need to speak with the club because I want to earn more money,” Kanout? said. “I am happy in Seville, but I want to be valued like my teammates.”
Gr?gory Vignal has arrived at Southampton for a trial. Vignal has been unable to establish himself at Lens since joining from Portsmouth last summer.
Blackburn Rovers have expressed an interest in Roque Santa Cruz, the Paraguay forward who is surplus to requirements at Bayern Munich. He is also wanted by Besiktas, of Turkey.
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Birmingham City are willing to sell Stephen Clemence, the midfield player who is wanted by Leicester City.
Long shots
Achille Emana, the Toulouse midfield player, has been offered for sale to West Ham United. Manchester City have expressed an interest in Ricardo Quaresma, the FC Porto winger, who is valued at £17 million. Liverpool are interested, too, but he has rejected a move to Bayern Munich.
Bolton Wanderers have said that they hope to fulfil the ambitions of Nicolas Anelka, who wants to play in the Champions League. The forward flew with his teammates to South Korea for the Peace Cup tournament, which begins on Thursday.
“I know he has ambition to play in Champions League again, which I hope can be achieved with us,” Sammy Lee, the Bolton manager, said. “I will not stand in his way should a Champions League club come in for him and the deal right for us.”