Premier League notebook: Robinho has options, Aquilani returns to Italy and Magpies put Taylor up for sale

Robinho has told Roberto Mancini, the Manchester City manager, that he wants to play in either Italy or Spain. The Brazil international, who went out on loan to Santos last season, looks increasingly likely to leave Eastlands. Fenerbahce, the Turkish side, are apparently keen to secure the former Real Madrid forward's services and there is also interest from elsewhere. Mancini said: "Robinho has two or three options. When he chooses we will then know where he wants to go. I have spoken with Robinho and he can stay if he works well and trains well. I have a good relationship with him. But I think he wants to play in Italy or Spain." Lazio are also keen on Roque Santa Cruz, the Paraguay striker, who like Robinho has found himself down the pecking order. Mancini said: "Roque is a fantastic guy and a fantastic player. It is possible he will leave for Lazio or another team."

Alberto Aquilani, the Liverpool midfielder, has completed his season-long loan move to Juventus, the Italian club have announced. The Serie A side say have also acquired an option to buy the former Roma player for £13.1million (Dh74.2m). Aquilani was made available for loan by Liverpool after struggling to make an impact since his £17m move from Roma last summer. Aquilani, 26, was signed by Rafael Benitez, the former manager, as a replacement for the influential Xabi Alonso but his first season on Merseyside was hampered by injuries and he has largely been used as a substitute.

Newcastle are ready to sell Steven Taylor, the defender, after failing to agree a new contract. A club spokesperson said: "We can confirm that Steven Taylor is on the transfer list." Taylor's current contract is due to expire at the end of the season and he would be able to leave the club on a free transfer. As a result, the Magpies have decided to cash in on him now. He is currently recovering from shoulder surgery after missing the second half of last season through injury as the Magpies gained promotion back to the Premier League after one season in the Championship.

Kevin MacDonald, the Aston Villa caretaker manager, has admitted that managing the club on a permanent basis would be a "great opportunity" for him. But the Scot remains steadfast in his pledge to decide whether he will apply for the job after Villa's match against Everton on Sunday. MacDonald said: "It's got to be thought out very, very closely. It would be a great opportunity for me, but it would be a great opportunity for anybody who could take over this job because it is a big club." MacDonald added that he does not think Sunday's 6-0 defeat at Newcastle harmed his chances, but he understands why some would disagree with him. "I think people on the outside would probably look at it that way," he said. "But from my own point of view it hasn't changed my stance towards what I was trying to do."

Darren Bent, the Sunderland striker, is hoping for new recruits to help reinforce their squad before the transfer window closes. Steve Bruce, the Black Cats manager, is still desperate to strengthen his squad before the August 31 deadline, with a top-class replacement for Kenwyne Jones, the striker who left for Stoke in an £8m move earlier this month, a priority. Bent said: "I think we have got a strong squad to take into the new year, but one or two new faces never do any harm and I'm sure the manager has his targets on who we wants to bring in."

* Agencies