Hamann changes mind: Dietmar Hamann will sign for Manchester City "in the next 24 hours" after telling Bolton he no longer wished to honour a deal he agreed with them earlier this month.
Hamann's arrival at Eastlands has been anticipated for the best part of a week but fresh confusion surrounded the veteran midfielder's exit from Anfield when Liverpool confirmed he was leaving Merseyside for Bolton earlier yesterday.
However, it has now transpired the 32-year-old will spend the shortest amount of time possible as a Bolton player, with a move to City being sealed today. Liverpool also loaned out fourth-choice goalkeeper Chris Kirkland to Wigan for six months with a permanent deal of around £1 million expected.
Djibril Cisse's exit to Marseille will be concluded today, a season-long loan which will eventually pull in around £8 million when he has finally recovered from his broken leg.
Kalou gets permit
Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou has been granted a work permit. Kalou, who was signed on a three-year contract from Dutch club Feyenoord in May, will begin pre-season training next week. The 20-year-old, born in the Ivory Coast, failed in an attempt to obtain Dutch nationality in time for the World Cup.
Quinn eyes Allardyce
Niall Quinn's search for the new Sunderland manager is hotting up amid Sam Allardyce's emergence as a major target. Some bookmakers have suspended betting on the current Bolton boss being named as Mick McCarthy's successor at the Stadium of Light after two days of intense speculation.
Quinn told the Sunderland Echo: "The selection of the next Sunderland manager remains a work in progress, but the reality is that there are three or four names that are in the frame at the moment and that are being considered."
However, it is understood the 51-year-old is a genuine potential target for Quinn, whose consortium launched their £10 million takeover bid last Monday.
However, Allardyce has four years of his 10-year contract at Bolton still to run, and that could prove problematical.
Kennedy joins Palace
Crystal Palace have signed midfielder Mark Kennedy on a free transfer from Wolves. Kennedy (30) is a second signing of the summer for Palace boss Peter Taylor, who said: "We're very pleased he's coming. He's an experienced player with a great left foot, a good crosser of the ball, and it was a good bit of business to get him here on a full transfer."
Republic of Ireland international Kennedy has played for Millwall, Liverpool, Wimbledon, QPR and Manchester City.
Hughes on Mido trail
Blackburn manager Mark Hughes believes he can still attract Mido to Ewood Park. The Egypt striker's future is unclear after he returned to Roma following a loan spell at Tottenham.
Hughes said: "The matter is a little bit complicated as he is still under contract. But we have expressed an interest in Mido. He is one of a number of players we would like to bring here.
"The situation, though, has not developed as quickly as we had hoped. "However I am still hopeful and we will keep pursuing him until the matter is dead in the water." Hughes has already recruited two new strikers in Jason Roberts and Francis Jeffers.
They have replaced Craig Bellamy and Paul Dickov, who have moved on to Liverpool and Manchester City respectively.
Hasselbaink signs
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink signed for Charlton Athletic yesterday. Hasselbaink has been bought to play alongside Darren Bent, who has attracted interest from numerous Premiership sides, and the former Middlesbrough man is looking forward to partnering the England international.
"Darren is a magnificent player and now he will get an old man beside him who can teach him new things," said Hasselbaink, who left Boro after 34 goals in 89 games.
In brief . . .
Spanish side Real Betis have rejected an improved bid from Portsmouth for Brazilian forward Edu . . . Stanislav Varga has confirmed he will sign a new one-year deal with Celtic . . . Wolves winger Seol Ki-Hyeon has completed a £1-million-plus transfer to Premiership side Reading . . . Former Middlesbrough defender Abel Xavier has had his 18-month doping suspension cut to a year by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
