Liverpool will continue to hold talks with Steve McManaman to try to avoid an auction for the Anfield and England star.
The 26-year-old winger was the centre of attention on Liverpool's UEFA Cup trip to Valencia and both Real Madrid and Barcelona had spies in the Mestella Stadium watching the 2-2 draw.
They must have been impressed with McManaman, who is out of contract in the summer and can leave for nothing under the Bosman ruling.
McManaman hit the post from 20 yards, scored a stunning headed equaliser that put Liverpool en-route to the last 16 but was sent off in injury time. After the game, Real Madrid, who have previously announced their interest in the player, reiterated that position through their vice president Juan Manuel Herroro on Spanish TV.
Leicester City goalkeeper Kasey Keller is set to decide on his future after he has more contract talks with Martin O'Neill in the next 72 hours. Keller is in the final year of his current contract with the Foxes and has stalled on putting pen to paper on any new deal.
The American number one, currently troubled by a back problem, said: "All I know is that I haven't had talks with the manager for a month and that he wants to talk to me again in the next couple of days.
Struggling Blackburn will have only one recognised striker available against Newcastle at St James' Park in the fourth round of the League Cup next Wednesday.
Chris Sutton yesterday received confirmation of a four-match suspension, which starts after Saturday's Premiership game with Coventry. Blackburn's new £4 million recruit from Bolton, Welsh international Nathan Blake, is cup-tied and Scottish international Kevin Gallacher is still recovering from a broken arm. That only leaves record £7.25 million signing Kevin Davies available.
Derby's interest in Southampton striker Mark Hughes is unlikely to result in a permanent move. Hughes' agent Dennis Roach insisted the Welsh international will be remaining at The Dell until the end of his two-year contract.
"I had a meeting with Derby manager Jim Smith in Birmingham to discuss the extension of the contract of his striker Paulo Wanchope," said Roach, who also represents the Rams' Costa Rican forward.
"At the end of those negotiations, Mr Smith raised the matter of Mark Hughes and was informed, as have other managers who have inquired, that Hughes signed a two-year agreement with Southampton and remains a Southampton player until the club advise either me or the player otherwise.
Ipswich have defended their decision to sell defender Mauricio Taricco to Tottenham for £1.75 million. The 25-year-old Argentinean is set to become George Graham's first signing after agreeing terms and completing a medical at White Hart Lane.
But Ipswich chairman David Sheepshanks insisted the move would be protection for the future. "This transfer will enable the club to retain all of our other top young stars in our drive for promotion as well as provide funds for a replacement," Sheepshanks said.
Middlesbrough boss Bryan Rob- son has sent a hands-off message to clubs after tying up goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer until 2005. The Australian international has signed a record 61/2 year contract which will keep him at the Riverside Stadium until he is 32.
Referees' Association spokesman Peter Willis yesterday urged the English Football Association to come down hard on players who manhandle officials.
Willis would not comment on Tuesday night's incident involving Crystal Palace's Fan Zhiyi and referee Terry Heilbron, when the Chinese defender is alleged to have pushed the official after the game at West Brom.
