Michael Tonge, targeted by Liverpool for most of the season and the scorer of both Sheffield United's goals in their League Cup semi-final first-leg win against the Anfield club on Wednesday, has pledged his immediate future to the Blades.
Liverpool's manager Gerard Houllier is keen to sign the £5 million-rated attacking midfielder but Tonge hopes to help Neil Warnock's first division side - currently third, only eight points behind Leicester with a game in hand - to promotion.
The 19-year-old, who was rejected by Manchester United three years ago, said: "The thought of joining a big club is exciting but my sole aim at the start of this season was to establish myself in the Sheffield United team and that is all I've been focusing on. It's nice to know people rate you and I want to play at the highest level possible; who wouldn't? But it would be great to do that with Sheffield United. I have a lot of good friends here; we're flying at the moment and there is a great atmosphere. This club gave me a chance and I need to remember that."
Middlesbrough have become the latest club to try to exploit Derby County's parlous financial situation by offering to buy their England under-21 internationals Chris Riggott and Malcolm Christie for a cut-price £3 million.
Middlesbrough have proposed taking the pair on loan until the end of the season before signing them on long-term contracts. "Loan deals are the route we are going down but we will have to see what happens," said Steve McClaren, the Middlesbrough manager.
Derby, who owe £20 million, need money now because they are under orders to raise £4 million from player sales in January. But £2 million will be due from Sunderland when the goalkeeper Mart Poom's loan move becomes permanent this month and Southampton are expected to up their initial offer of £700,000 for the defender Danny Higginbotham.
Derby's Italian striker Fabrizio Ravanelli has been given the go-ahead to return to the club after surgery on an Achilles tendon. He was not expected to be fit to play until March after the operation at the end of November but has resumed light training with the Italian club Perugia and is expected back at Pride Park next week.
While Derby count the pennies, Birmingham City seem intent on spending them. Having spent a total of £2.3 million to sign Jamie Clapham and Stephen Clemence, Birmingham have had a bid of £600,000 for Crystal Palace's Hayden Mullins rejected. Palace want at least double that for the 23-year-old former England Under-21 international, who can play in midfield or as a sweeper.
Olivier Dacourt yesterday completed his loan move to AS Roma from Leeds.
