Chelsea are preparing to break their transfer record to sign Didier Drogba after Marseille reluctantly accepted that the Ivory Coast international striker could leave for £26 million.
Marseille officials were quick to reject an offer of around £19 million, submitted late on Monday, as it did not match their valuation of the player.
Yet, the club's president Christophe Bouchet has since granted his sporting director Pape Diouf, who was formerly the player's agent, permission to inform Chelsea that an improved offer would secure the 26-year-old striker.
Chelsea's chief executive Peter Kenyon flew to France on Monday and has also been negotiating with Benfica, at a training camp in Nyon, over the transfer of their midfielder Tiago.
But it is Jose Mourinho, who retains an interest in Real Madrid's Fernando Morientes as a cheaper alternative, who must determine whether to instigate the third biggest transfer in British football - after Rio Ferdinand and Juan Sebastian Veron - barely a month since moving to Stamford Bridge from Porto.
"I see the qualities of power and speed in him," he said. "Also, his control on the first touch and the way he fights for the team."
Yet, for all that Drogba excelled last season, scoring 14 goals in 13 appearances in the Champions League and UEFA Cup, his signing would still be something of a gamble.
The striker has had only two prolific seasons since emerging in French football in 1999 with the second division club Le Mans.
His 17 goals for relegated Guingamp in 2002-03 prompted Marseille to spend £3.3 million on him and he added 18 goals in 35 league appearances for Jose Anigo's side last term to justify that outlay.
Manchester City have ignored growing fears over their finances by handing the former England full back Danny Mills a five-year contract which will cost them around £30,000 a week.
It effectively equates to a long-term commitment of more than £7.5 million for a club whose debts swelled to £50 million for the 2002-03 season.
That figure is likely to be grimmer now because Kevin Keegan has added high earners to the squad with very little sell-on value such as David James and Trevor Sinclair.
Mills completed his free transfer from Leeds United yesterday, with City using the lack of a fee to bolster the wages they could offer.
City have been able to finance the move because, like Leeds, they have raised money through securitisation, borrowing £30 million against future ticket sales.
Mills had four years left on his £40,000-a-week deal at Leeds, who will continue to pay the balance of £10,000. The move has amazed financial analysts.
Hugo Viana is discussing a possible move to Porto from Newcastle United. The former European young player of the year cost £8.5 million when he arrived on Tyneside from Sporting Lisbon two years ago but it is understood he could be sold to the European champions at a £6 million loss.
James Beattie's mooted transfer from Southampton to Tyneside has been put on hold, at least until next week. By then, Southampton may have lined up Mido, Marseille's 21-year-old striker as his replacement.
Middlesbrough hope to finalise a further one-year loan deal with Chelsea for Dutch international Boudewijn Zenden by the end of this week.
Boro, meanwhile, have given Jonathan Greening permission to discuss personal terms with West Bromwich Albion after the clubs agreed an undisclosed fee for the midfielder.
Birmingham City have exposed the financial restrictions Everton face in the transfer market by dismissing an offer apparently worth £2.5 million over four years for the Wales midfielder Robbie Savage as "laughable".
Everton submitted a formal bid for the 29-year-old yesterday, though only £1 million would have been paid up front with the rest spread over the next four years and dependent upon the Merseyside club remaining in the Premiership. City are seeking £3.5 million for Savage, who has made no secret of his desire to move to Goodison Park.
Everton have fined Tomasz Radzinski two weeks' wages for his public criticism of his manager David Moyes last week, with the Canadian striker expected to complete a £1.5 million move to Fulham by the weekend.
That fee would have covered the proposed down payment on the Savage deal and may be bolstered by the £1 million sale of Tobias Linderoth to FC Copenhagen.
Crystal Palace hope Borussia Monchengladbach's Finland winger Joonas Kolkka will sign a three-year contract today after agreeing terms on a free transfer.
The Palace manager Iain Dowie also hopes to complete the signing of centre half Fitz Hall from Southampton for just under £1 million and also Hungary striker Sandor Torghelle.
Liverpool midfielder Salif Diao - £4.2 million signing from Sedan two years ago - has opened negotiations with Portsmouth over a season-long loan deal.
Wolves striker Henri Camara is prepared to be fined and lose wages in his bid to get a move to a Premiership club. The 27-year- old has refused to join the club squad for pre-season training.
Norwich have signed the defender Simon Charlton from Bolton. The 32-year-old has joined for a £250,000 fee on a two-year deal.
The English FA has persuaded FIFA to amend their substitution ruling so that the limit of six now applies to internationals only.
Sepp Blatter, the president of FIFA, also said yesterday that artificial pitches were the "future of football" and urged countries to build more of them.
