Manchester City boss Joe Royle finally ended his summer-long search for a centre back when he signed Steve Howey in a £2 million deal from Newcastle. Royle has spent the entire close-season trying to bolster the heart of his defence in readiness for City's return to the Premiership.

His number one target was Ugo Ehiogu, but he was forced to look elsewhere after Aston Villa rejected bids of £6 million and £7.5 million. Royle was linked with a whole host of defenders before landing Howey.

Everton manager Walter Smith is determined to tie up a deal with Duncan Ferguson in the next few days - or look elsewhere. Everton are close to finalising a deal with Newcastle for the 28-year-old Scot which would see him return to Goodison after an absence of 20 months.

It is understood Ferguson would move initially for £3.75 million with another £1.25 million depending on appearances.

Martin O'Neill yesterday insisted he would have taken the Celtic manager's job even with no money to spend as the club announced they had made a pre-tax loss of £5.9 million for the past year.

"I don't think it will effect my spending," said O'Neill. "I have certain budgets of which to work within and I would still have taken the job here if I had been given nothing at all," he said.

Bradford chairman Geoffrey Richmond is threatening to pull the plug on a £1.5 million move for Ashley Ward unless the striker can resolve his differences with Blackburn Rovers.

Ward is apparently negotiating a pay-off as part of his contract, but Blackburn are refusing to stump up the cash.