Stoke City
Stoke have made their "last bid" to Tottenham Hotspur for striker Peter Crouch and midfielder Wilson Palacios, according to Potters chairman Peter Coates. The two clubs have reportedly been in talks for some time, and Coates today said his club would not budge from their latest offer. He told BBC Radio Stoke: "We've made our last bid. The ball is in their court. We shall not be negotiating from where we are."
Newcastle United
Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi has signed a two-year contract extension, which will keep him at St James' Park until the summer of 2014. The 29 year old made his club debut in 2000 and has played over 300 games for the club, scoring 70 goals. "All I've ever wanted is to play for Newcastle United and it is a really happy day for me," Ameobi said in a statement.
Sunderland
Sunderland expect defender John O'Shea to miss Saturday's Premier League opener against Liverpool. Manager Steve Bruce told the club's website: "It would be unwise of me to rush him back. He's close, but he's got a hamstring strain, so we have to make sure he's right."
Manchester United
Manchester United's on-loan winger Bebe has been sidelined for around six months after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, Turkish club Besiktas said yesterday. Bebe, 21, was injured while playing for Portugal Under 21s in Slovakia yesterday and will require surgery. Besiktas' club doctor Devrim Uygun said: "We have contacted officials at his club, Manchester United. We will make a joint decision over where the operation should take place."
Arsenal
Andrey Arshavin admits it would be an "enormous" loss for Arsenal to see captain Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri leave. Barcelona are chasing Fabregas while Manchester City are rumoured to be close to signing Nasri. Forward Arshavin told Russian newspaper Sport Express: "The loss of any one of them would be enormous, and we naturally want to see Cesc and Samir play with us in the future - but if the player wants to leave the club ... It is hard to say [whether they will stay]."
Queens Park Rangers
QPR have completed the signing of former Ipswich goalkeeper Brian Murphy on a two-year deal. The 28-year-old Irishman has been on trial with the club and will now vie for a first-team place with fellow shot-stoppers Paddy Kenny and Radek Cerny.
Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn have made a bid for Leicester City defender Sol Bamba and are "quite close" to agreeing a deal for the Ivory Coast international, according to Rovers manager Steve Kean. Centre-half Bamba, 26, arrived at Leicester from Scottish club Hibernian in January. "An offer has been put in," Kean told Sky Sports News. "The good news is it hasn't been rejected."
Manchester City
Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has told Manchester City forward Mario Balotelli that he needs to grow up if he is to reach his full his potential. Prandelli left Balotelli out of the starting line-up for last night's international friendly against world champions Spain in Bari. "Mario needs to grow up and understand that if he does so, his physical potential could be devastating," said Prandelli.