Hleb's going nowhere: VfB Stuttgart have denied that Arsenal have made an £8 million bid for midfielder Alexander Hleb, and have stated that the Belarus international is not for sale.
Reports claimed the London club tabled an offer for the 24-year-old, but the German side have dismissed the stories. "We have seen the reports but from our standpoint, there has been no contact," a club spokesman said. "The fact is, Alexander Hleb has a contract with us until 2008 and he should be a Stuttgart player until then."
Kluivert move on ice
Valencia's deal for former Newcastle striker Patrick Kluivert has been put on ice after the player failed a medical. The former Dutch international will undergo a second medical in two to three weeks amid concerns about his knee. Valencia had announced the three-year deal subject to a medical last week after Kluivert's deal at St James' Park expired.
No move for Phillips
Southampton have denied reports Celtic have made an offer for striker Kevin Phillips. Speculation has linked Phillips with a £700,000 move to Glasgow, where he would be reunited with former Southampton manager Gordon Strachan. Southampton chairman Rupert Lowe said: "I've read the rumours but we haven't received any formal offer for Kevin Phillips. In any case, the reported figure of £700,000 would not accurately reflect his value."
McCarthy in for Stead
Sunderland are ready to step up their bid to land £1.8 million-rated Blackburn striker Jon Stead after clinching their second summer signing. Manager Mick McCarthy yesterday added Gillingham full back Nyron Nosworthy to his squad after last week's signing of Waterford striker Daryl Murphy .
Forssell makes move
Finnish striker Mikael Forssell completed a £3 million move from Chelsea to his former loan club Birmingham City yesterday. The 24-year-old, who scored 19 goals in his first loan spell at St Andrews in 2003/'04, has signed a three-year deal. He rejoined Birmingham at the start of last season but a knee injury led to him returning to Chelsea.
Mewnwhile, Birmingham yesterday confirmed they have received an offer from West Brom for midfielder Darren Carter.
In brief . . .
Chelsea striker Hernan Crespo has revealed he will sign another season-long loan deal at AC Milan . . . Fulham yesterday signed 25-year-old Czech goalkeeper Jaroslav Drobny from Greek side Panionos for an undisclosed fee in the wake of the completion of Edwin van der Sar's move to Manchester United . . . Zurab Khizanishvili is set to quit Rangers and claims German side Schalke are leading the chase for his signature.
