Today's other stories in brief
Sheffield want Beattie
Sheffield United have confirmed they have made a bid to take Everton striker James Beattie to Bramall Lane. Everton are believed to be prepared to listen to offers in the region of €6 million for the England striker they paid Southampton €9 million for in January 2005.
United manager Bryan Robson said: "We've put a bid in to Everton and we've got to wait and see. If I can persuade him to drop into the Championship, hopefully for only one season, he would be a good signing."
Meanwhile, Everton are set to step up their attempt to sign Wigan defender Leighton Baines with a €6 million bid plus a player for the 22-year-old.
The player in question is thought to be Republic of Ireland midfielder Lee Carsley, who was on the verge of signing for Wigan earlier in the summer before accepting a one-year deal to stay at Goodison Park.
Celtic beat Parma
Celtic finished their pre-season preparations with a 1-0 win over Italian side Parma at Celtic Park. This was the only home warm-up match arranged before the champions start their defence of the Premier League title against Kilmarnock at home next Sunday. And an 84th-minute goal by midfielder Aiden McGeady was enough to give the Scottish champions victory.
However, the main plus point Celtic manager Gordon Strachan can take from the game is the form of Scott Brown who made his home debut following his €6.5 million transfer from Hibernian. Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc is set to miss the start of Celtic's Champions League campaign with a troublesome shoulder injury.
Dyer still going
Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce insists Kieron Dyer is still heading for the exit door at St James' Park despite an impressive cameo in the 2-0 friendly win over Juventus.
Goals from Albert Luque and young striker Andy Carroll ensured victory for Newcastle but Dyer caught the eye with an energetic display in the second half.
"He played very well. But I don't think we can (keep him) for the reasons I gave on Thursday," he said. "The only way I can see to resolve this is for Kieron to move closer to his family."
Rangers in the market
David Murray has confirmed that Rangers are prepared to take their summer spending past the €15 million mark. The recent deals for Lee McCulloch, Carlos Cuellar and DaMarcus Beasley have been the club's costliest so far during the close season.
Manager Walter Smith has used up around €8.2million of his transfer fund to land the trio, while bringing Kirk Broadfoot, Alan Gow, Roy Carroll, Jean-Claude Darcheville and Graeme Smith to the club for next to nothing.
Rangers assistant manager Ally McCoist and Murray have both revealed the live interest in Kilmarnock's Steven Naismith (20) who submitted a written transfer request on Thursday. Kilmarnock claimed the first offer they received from Ibrox for striker Steven Naismith was just €600,000, a valuation which was met with derision at Rugby Park. Another bid for Naismith should certainly not be ruled out, and Rangers could well make Steven Whittaker their second recruit from Hibernian this year.
Reyes wanted
Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas admits he is unlikely to secure the signature of Arsenal forward Jose Antonio Reyes. Reyes, who last season moved on loan to Real Madrid from the London club, could secure a permanent deal with the La Liga champions, although the capital club's city rivals Atletico Madrid are also in the running for his signature.
Aulas claims his club is still eager to sign 23-year-old Reyes. Speaking to his club's website after champions Lyon's 2-1 win over French Cup winners Sochaux in the season's curtain-raiser, the Trophee des Champions, Aulas said: "Concerning Reyes we were supposed to meet him on Monday in Seville, but his prime objective is to join a Spanish club.
"We have a big handicap and we are trying to surmount it. Real have said they are signing Reyes. We still have a little chance, but we have other irons in the fire."
Aulas also revealed that there was still a chance of 33-year-old forward Sylvain Wiltord staying at the club.
Bruce confident
Birmingham manager Steve Bruce is confident Tottenham midfielder Hossam Ghaly will sign today. But Bruce is resigned to missing out on team-mate Mido, despite agreeing a €9 million fee with Spurs.
Bruce said: "We're talking to Hossam and we hope that by Monday he will be added to the squad.
"But the deal with Mido looks off. It's fair to say our chances are less than 50-50, we hope we can pull it off, but it's nothing to do with finances."
Bruce said: "I'd look for another striker if one was available but it's whether you can get one."
Bruce is also keen to bolster his defence and is interested in taking Arsenal's Johan Djourou on loan.
He said: "I've not spoken to Arsenal for a while about Djourou but we will see where we are. We're still hopeful something can be done."
