Chelsea's interest in Samuel Eto'o has cooled after being quoted a £14.4 million fee for the Cameroon international. Reports in Spain that the Mallorca striker was expected to sign at Stamford Bridge yesterday proved false since that figure is almost twice Chelsea's valuation.

The 22-year-old is considered a highly promising prospect but Chelsea have been also deterred by his unavailability next January and February, when he will be absent on African Nations Cup duty.

Chelsea may revive their approach if Mallorca lower their demand, as Eto'o is hoping.

In any case Chelsea are so confident of buying one of their attacking targets before the August 31st transfer deadline that they are willing to release striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink on a year's loan, possibly to Betis of Spain.

Tottenham have agreed a £1 million purchase of the US midfielder Bobby Convey from DC United, assuming he obtains a work permit.

Kevin Phillips, the Sunderland striker, spent yesterday discussing a move to Southampton. Sunderland accepted a £3 million offer this week, but both Aston Villa and Rangers are monitoring the situation.

Meanwhile Villa have finalised the £2.25 million transfer from Sunderland of the goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen but their manager David O'Leary will find it difficult to persuade his board to part with another £3 million for Phillips, not to mention wages of more than £1 million.

Sunderland suffered a blow when Colin Healy of Celtic was given permission to play on trial for Leeds United against Villa in today's friendly in Dublin. Healy had already agreed personal terms with Sunderland.

Guardian Service