Newcastle United, via their chairman Freddie Shepherd, responded aggressively yesterday to Leeds United's £15 million sterling offer for Kieron Dyer. Faced with mounting concern over a large drop-off in season ticket sales and some embarrassment over the club's failure to attract a major summer signing other than Craig Bellamy, Shepherd would be perceived locally as an emperor without clothes were Newcastle's most valuable player allowed to leave for rivals 90 miles away.

Consequently the chairman summoned Dyer and his agent to St James's Park following weekend stories that Dyer is unhappy about Newcastle's lack of significant new faces, and tried once again to end the speculation surrounding the 22-year-old's future.

"I have had a long, frank and amicable discussion with both Kieron Dyer and his agent," said Shepherd. He added: "I will repeat for the last time - Kieron Dyer is not for sale."

Liverpool's Christian Ziege will sign for Tottenham Hotspur later this week. "After I have a medical, I will sign the contract," he said. The fee is believed to be around £5m.

Leicester City's shares soared nine per cent yesterday after it emerged they are involved in possible takeover talks.

Ipswich Town have completed the signing of Hartlepool's Tommy Miller (21), for an initial £800,000, which could rise to £1m depending on appearances. The midfielder was Hartlepool's top scorer last season.

Arsenal yesterday received some reassurance that Patrick Vieira will be playing for them next season after the apparently disgruntled Frenchman turned up for his first day of pre-season training. "Frankly it is not settled yet because I have to sit down with him and see where we stand," team manager Arsene Wenger said.