TRANSFER NEWS: Manchester Cityhave agreed a fee with Chelsea for England defender Wayne Bridge, while neighbours Unitedhave completed the signing of Serbian duo Zoran Tosicand Adem Ljajicfrom Partisan Belgrade.
At Ewood Park, Blackburn Roversboss Sam Allardyce has let Republic of Ireland 'B' defender Eddie Nolanleave for Prestonafter the Waterford native impressed during a loan spell. The 20-year-old has signed a three and a half year deal at Deepdale. German winger Sergio Peterhas also departed Rovers for Sparta Prague.
Manchester City got their expected spending spree underway with boss Mark Hughes confirming that he is on the verge of hammering out a deal, thought to be in the region of €12.5million for England international Bridge.
"My understanding is the clubs have agreed a fee," said Hughes this afternoon. "We need to speak to the boy and try to agree personal terms.
"If we can do that hopefully Wayne will be a Manchester City player, that's the aim.
"Wayne will probably travel to Manchester this evening and hopefully negotiations will go well and he can have a medical tomorrow."
Marcos Senna'sagent has claimed his client has turned down an approach from Eastlands. The 32-year-old, who impressed as his country won Euro 2008 last summer, recently said he was unaware of any interest from City and that he was happy at El Madrigal but his representative Ely Coimbra claims there have been inquiries.
Blackburnforward Roque Santa Cruzclaims City are set to bid for him but denied any official offer had been made yet.
The Paraguayan forward said: "Rumours are growing every day. It seems that the circumstances needed for me to be transferred are going in a good direction, but everything is a rumour until now," said the 27-year-old.
"It is forbidden (in England) to talk with the clubs directly so I do not know a lot about it. I know that they are going to make a proposal, but I do not know the terms," he added.
City are also likely to keep a watching brief on Valencia's David Villaafter the Spanish club announced that they are prepared to sell the international striker if the price is right.
"Whatever offer comes in we will have to study it although the idea is not to have to sell David Villa or David Silva," said Valencia's sporting vice-president Fernando Gomez Colomer. "It would have to be an exorbitant offer."
Silva has featured on Manchester United's radar in the past, with the Red Devils coming close to landing their man last year. For now though the champions have signed 21-year-old Tosic with immediate effect and agreed a deal for 17-year-old Ljajic, who will remain with Partizan for the rest of 2009. The combined figure is believed to be €17 million.
Alex Fergusonadmitted that the chequebook will be remain closed until the summer after signing the pair.
"That's the end of the transfer business for Manchester United this season. There definitely won't be anything else in January," admitted Ferguson
Boltonare debating whether to make a renewed bid for West Brom midfielder James Morrison. The club's initial €3.2m offer for the Scotland international was rejected by their rivals.
QPRhave confirmed the signing of winger Wayne Routledgefrom Aston Villafor an undisclosed fee.
Routledge, who has agreed a three-and-a-half-year deal, rejected a permanent move to Coca-Cola Championship rivals Cardiff where he had enjoyed a successful loan spell.
The 23-year-old, who has been capped at England Under-21 level, has played for Crystal Palace, Tottenham, Portsmouth and Fulham.
QPR have also signed striker Heidar Helgusonfrom Bolton after the Icelandic international impressed at Loftus Road on loan, scoring three times in seven appearances.
