Tottenham's director of football David Pleat has denied reports that the club's bid to sign Blackburn's Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Alan Kelly, as cover for their Scotland star Neil Sullivan, has collapsed.
Pleat admitted: "It is not a done deal yet but we have had talks with Alan and will have more discussions after he has been back to Blackburn." Spurs moved for Kelly (33) after selling Ian Walker to Leicester for £2.5 million last week.
The former Sheffield United star who has been relegated to third choice at Blackburn behind Brad Friedel and John Filan also lost his international place to New castle's Shay Given.
Now a switch to Spurs could depend on the price at which he is valued by Blackburn although neither club have disclosed any financial details. Tottenham have still not completed the signing of Liverpool wing-back Christian Ziege but manager Glenn Hoddle is still optimistic that the deal will go through early next week. Ziege is believed to be seeking a pay-off from Liverpool on the grounds that he had not asked them for a move.
Peter Schmeichel has received clearance to make his Aston Villa debut against Slaven Belupo in Saturday's InterToto Cup tie at Villa Park. Schmeichel has begun training with his new team-mates following his shock move to Villa Park as a free agent after coming to the end of his contract at Sporting Lisbon.
Newly promoted side Monaghan United are in talks with local businesses with a view to finding a sponsor for the Gortakeegan stadium. Chairman Jim McGlone confirmed talks were underway with several companies, although current shirt sponsors Monaghan Shopping Centre are not involved.
Aston Villa have moved closer to signing £6 million-rated Swedish defender Olof Mellberg from Spanish club Racing Santander. Villa have agreed a fee with Racing for the 23-year-old international. He is due to fly into Birmingham in the next 24 hours to discuss personal terms with Villa manager John Gregory.
The Villa chief is also keen to boost his strike power and is interested in signing Barcelona's Dani. The 26-year-old Spanish international's future at the Nou Camp looks bleak with the expected arrival of £15.7 million Argentine striker Javier Saviola.
Gregory is understood to be lining up an £8 million bid for Dani, who has three years left of his current contract.
Linfield yesterday crashed out of the Champions League at the first qualifying stage.
The Northern Irish champions tumbled out to a second half strike from Mikhail Ashvetia after taking a 0-0 draw to Georgia for their second leg clash. Noel Bailie was dismissed for serious foul play with eight minutes remaining.
Barry Town created Welsh football history when they became the first club from Wales to win a Champions League round when beating Shamkir 1-0 in the first qualifying round second leg in Azerbaijan. Barry Town had won the first leg at Jenner Park last week 2-0.
Serie A club Lazio say they are confident of signing unsettled Valencia captain Gaizka Mendieta in a deal worth £37 million.
