Reports from Spain suggest that Barcelona have made a world record #45 million bid for David Beckham.

Liverpool's ambitious attempt to capture Nick Barmby will be swiftly squashed by Everton as they follow a strict no-sale policy for their biggest rivals.

Leicester's new boss Peter Taylor is reportedly ready to make a #2.5million bid this week for Everton's highly rated youngster, Micheal Ball. Taylor wants his former England under-21 captain to be one of Filbert Street's first summer signings but Everton are said to value the player at around #3.5million.

Steve Watson looks to be heading for the Villa Park exit door with a return to the north-east by joining Middlesbrough in a #4 million move.

Ugo Ehiogu is reportedly being targeted by Sunderland but boss Peter Reid is looking to pay half Villa's #12 million valuation.

Arsene Wenger is reported to have targeted Swedish international striker Kennet Andersson, with the player's agent set to open talks on Monday. The striker currently plies his trade with Italian Serie A outfit Bologna and would be available for around #2.5m. While striker Davor Suker is expected to complete his move to West Ham by the end of the week.

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2000

Answers

Unsettled central defender Ugo Ehiogu has ruled out a move to Premiership rivals Sunderland. Gregory has placed a #6 million price tag on him - a fee that makes him look like something of a bargain in today's inflated transfer market.

Chris Sutton's switch from Chelsea to Celtic will go through in the next 24 hours, according to Scottish press reports.

Darren Huckerby has been linked with a move to Celtic in a deal worth #4m. Both Huckerby and Alan Smith have been linked with moves since the Viduka saga started and it is unlikely that Leeds will want to keep, or be able to keep, five strikers happy at the club. Bearing in mind that Michael Bridges, Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell will be the first three choices that leaves Huckerby and Smith fighting it out for a place on the bench.

Leeds are supposedly in a #7m battle with Newcastle for Cort's services but that looks to be a very high price to pay for an unproven youngster and with other irons in the fire Leeds may decide that #7m is way too much to pay.

Liverpool have been linked in the Midlands press with a move for Wolves' Left-back Lee Naylor. The report suggests that Liverpool are favourites to sign the England U-21 player in a deal that could be worth #2 million to Wolves.

'Boro are red-hot favourites to land the signature of highly-rated Partick Thistle midfielder Liam McVey. The 18-year-old will join 'Boro on trial during pre-season training next month after Bryan Robson tracked him for much of the last season. McVey is also comfortable in a striking role and will be hoping to impress enough to clinch a permanent deal at the Riverside.

There may well be no shortage of funds in Peter Reid's kitty but he has said that he won't be paying 'silly prices' for new players. Chivu rated at 'silly money' Ajax have valued their Romanian teenage wing back Cristian Chivu at #8m and whilst that may be no obstacle for Italian giants Juventus and Inter Milan, Reid, who spotted his potential early in Euro 2000, will not be entering the bidding at that price. The boss commented: "I think that he is a great player but that is crazy money for a 19 year old."

George Graham is reportedly hot on the trail of Belgian international Emile Mpenza. Mpenza is currently playing his football with FC Schalke in Germany and is valued at approximately #2 million. However, the Bundesliga side are determined to hold onto the Belgian, who struggled to find his best form during Euro 2000.

National celebration for City striker. Five thousand people lined the streets of Hamilton, Bermuda, as Manchester City's Shaun Goater was given the freedom of his hometown. 'Leonardo Shaun Goater Day' is to become a permanent fixture in recognition for the service the City striker has given his country. Sports Minister Dennis Lister said: 'We have honoured a person who has won success through hard work, dedication and commitment.'

Kuusela says England are Fin-ished Former Finland national coach Martti Kuusela, now an advisor to their FA, believes his country will qualify from Group Nine, due to the inadequacies of England and Germany. England and Germany do not have the individuals to make a difference. Scandinavians are better technically and that makes us more dangerous," he said.

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2000

from Planetfootball today CS MARITIMO midfielder 'Bruno' Marcelo Pereira Fernandes is set to join Newcastle this week, pending a medical, according to the Portuguese club's president Carlos Pereira. Pereira has revealed that the club have agreed a deal with The Magpies for the 25-year-old midfielder, and that Bruno will arrive at St James' Park early next month to discuss terms and undergo a medical, before completing the proposed transfer. Bruno has also attracted attention from a number of clubs in Spain, but he is believed to be encouraged by the prospect of forming part of Bobby Robson's revolution at St James' Park. Anyone with any information on him?

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2000

Lordy Me who the hell's he? Tre, update?

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2000

And how much? Seems like Bobby has allowed calls to be put through again!!

I'm a bit concerned that every player we are buying/linked with are foreigners except a couple.

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2000

Hmm - seems like YBR has misinterpreted the board's demand for an "assault on Europe". I have to admit, I've never heard of CS MARITIMO.

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2000

That thought crossed my mind Screach - it's bad enough when you've never heard of the players were supposed to be interested in, but things have reached a pretty low ebb when you've never even heard of the teams they play for!

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2000

According to the Journal today, Bruno is costing #2M. A midfielder who "steered his club into 6th place in the portugese league last season" Didn't say which league mind! Sandeman conference???

-- Anonymous, June 28, 2000

After a very exhuastive search I have found very little about Bruno.

He's a midfielder and appears to play on the left wing. He's 26, 30,06,1974 - is 174cm (5'8'') tall and wheighs 74 kilograms. He played in 21 games for his team last year, starting all of them, and picked up 6 yellow cards.

One portugese site I found had a list of transfer rumours. It had the players name, the club he was from, and the club who was suposed to be after him. After that it had a green tick or red cross. Against Bruno to Newcastle it had a red cross.

-- Anonymous, June 28, 2000

Domi stance maintained

Newcastle have rejected a bid from Champions' League finalists Valencia for unsettled Frenchman Didier Domi. The reason cited for the rejection is believed to be purely financial with the Magpies determined to hold out for at least #5m for a player who cost #3m when purchased 18 months ago from Paris St Germain.

Valencia's bid was believed to be nearer the #4m but a lot will rest on Alessandro Pistone's decision with regard a move to Everton. His departure could see Domi being given the chance to recoup a permanent role at left-back and make his existence on Tyneside more settled.

Meanwhile concerns over the whereabouts of Carlos Daniel Cordone, who failed to show for a medical on Tyneside yesterday, should rest assured there is nothing untoward going on. The Argentine forward who is set to complete a #500,000 transfer to Newcastle was left stranded in Spain after a strike by French air-traffic controllers. A club spokesman confirmed, "Cordone is currently in Spain where he is working out alternative flight arrangements, but we do expect him later this week."

-- Anonymous, June 28, 2000

Everton are signing Watto for 2.5mil...hope that doesn't scupper the Pistone deal, Everton were tight-wads last season.

-- Anonymous, June 28, 2000