Decent bets

Tottenham Hotspur hope to complete a deal with Espanyol next week to sign Luis García, the Spain forward, who was the club’s top scorer with 13 goals last season. The 27-year-old prefers to play as the second striker, or on the left of the attack, and would cost about £8 million.

García helped Espanyol to reach the Uefa Cup final last May. The 5ft 11in striker began his career at Real Madrid and has played for Real Murcia and Real Mallorca. Tottenham are expected to sell two of their three main strikers, Dimitar Berbatov, Robbie Keane and Darren Bent.

Portsmouth are in talks to sign Khaleem Hyland, the Trinidad & Tobago midfield player, who is out of contract after leaving San Juan Jabloteh.

Newcastle United have offered Sébastien Bassong a trial after the Metz defender turned down a move to Dynamo Bucharest. The 22-year-old has a year left on his contract and had been linked with Everton. The Merseyside club are monitoring Mehmet Topal, the Galatasaray and Turkey midfield player.

Sunderland are preparing to make an improved offer to re-sign George McCartney after West Ham United turned down £4.5 million for the left back, who moved from the Stadium of Light to Upton Park for £600,000 two years ago. West Ham want another left back and have made an approach to Leicester City regarding Joe Mattock, the England Under-21 player.

Reading have told Middlesbrough that they will have to increase their offer for James Harper, the midfield player, from £3 million to £4.25 million. Rangers hope to complete the signing of Danny Shittu, the Watford defender, this weekend after making an offer of £1.2 million.

Charlton Athletic have turned down a £1 million offer from Cardiff City for Marcus Bent. The forward has scored four goals in 46 league matches since he joined for £2.5 million from Everton two years ago, but was on loan at Wigan Athletic last season.

Dead certs

Hull City have completed the signing of George Boateng from Middlesbrough. The midfield player, 32, has signed a two-year contract.

Kerrea Gilbert, the defender, has joined Leicester City on a 12-month loan from Arsenal.