Decent bets

Chelsea are in pole position to sign Andrei Arshavin after Barcelona appeared to cool their interest in the Russia playmaker. Arshavin, one of the stars of Euro 2008, had set his heart on a move to the Nou Camp from Zenit St Petersburg this month, but Txiki Begiristain, the Barcelona sporting director, said that the 27-year-old is only one of many potential targets.

Barcelona have spent more than £50 million on players such as Daniel Alves this summer and have been frustrated in their attempts to raise funds by selling Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto’o. Chelsea have expressed an interest in Ronaldinho and Eto’o, but Roman Abramovich, the club owner, wants to sign at least one Russia player in this transfer window.

Martin O’Neill has challenged Liverpool to end the stalemate over Gareth Barry’s future and pay the £18 million asking price for the Aston Villa midfield player. “Gareth wants to go and if Liverpool meet our valuation, he will,” the Villa manager said.

Fulham are interested in signing Fredrik Stoor, the Rosenborg and Sweden right back, for £1.5 million. “We have received an inquiry from Fulham,” Erik Hoftun, the Rosenborg sporting director, said. “If the bid is good enough, we will sell.” Blackburn Rovers and Wigan Athletic are also tracking the 24-year-old defender.

Stephen Hunt has said that he wants to leave Reading and return to the Barclays Premier League. The Ireland winger almost joined Sunderland in January. “Every Reading player wants to play in the Premier League,” Hunt said. “It’s a short career and fans would appreciate it more if players were more honest about these things. Supporters aren’t stupid and it makes more sense if they know what’s going on.”

Didier Digard has been suspended by Paris Saint-Germain after he claimed that the club were holding up his £4 million transfer to Middlesbrough. “Negotiations on a possible transfer have not been put to one side,” the French club said.

Dead certs

Liverpool have officially signed Philipp Degen after the Switzerland right back’s contract with Borussia Dortmund expired on Monday. The 25-year-old signed a four-year contract at Anfield yesterday.

West Bromwich Albion have confirmed the £3.2 million signing of Gianni Zuiverloon, the right back, on a three-year deal from Heerenveen. But the club are set to lose Kevin Phillips to Birmingham City after they failed to reach agreement with the 34-year-old. Birmingham have offered him a two-year deal worth £20,000 a week.

Jussi Jaaskelainen, the Finland goalkeeper, will sign a new four-year contract with Bolton Wanderers today.

Curtis Davies became Aston Villa’s first capture of the summer yesterday after the 23-year-old defender signed a four-year contract at Villa Park. He was at the club on loan last season from West Brom. Manchester City have released Paul Dickov, Geovanni and Emile Mpenza.

Crystal Palace have signed Darryl Flahavan, the goalkeeper, from Southend United and Johannes Ertl, the Austria defender, from Austria Vienna. The Championship club are also close to turning José Fonte’s loan from Benfica into a £500,000 transfer.

David Livermore, the midfield player, has signed for Brighton & Hove Albion on a free transfer from Hull City.

Simon Dawkins, the 20-year-old Tottenham Hotspur striker, has joined Leyton Orient on a six-month loan. Mark McCammon has signed for Gillingham after turning down a new contract from Doncaster Rovers.

Long shots

Anton Ferdinand, the West Ham United defender, has dismissed speculation linking him with a £10 million transfer to Aston Villa. “Until Alan Curbishley [the manager] tells me I’m not a West Ham player, I’ll be a West Ham player,” Ferdinand said.

Bolton have denied that they want to sign Joey Barton, the Newcastle United midfield player, who is serving a six-month prison sentence for assault. “It’s important that we get back to being the homely, family club that we claim to be,” Phil Gartside, the Bolton chairman, said.

Cardiff City are trying to buy Daniel Cousin, the Rangers forward, who is valued at £2 million. Willie McKay, Cousin’s agent, has confirmed that Cardiff are interested, but the Championship club are prepared to pay only £1 million.