Transfer talk: Window updates on players and the money

Get the wrap of all the significant moves and intentions, some of which materialise while others turn out mere hopes.

The Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez has emerged as a front-runner for the vacancy at Aston Villa after being given permission to hold talks with the club, Latics owner Dave Whelan confirmed.

Whelan said the club had given a green light for Martinez to speak to Villa, who are seeking to replace Gerard Houllier after the Frenchman stood down for health reasons last month.

Martinez joins a long list of managers who have been linked to the post including former Fulham manager Mark Hughes, ex-England coach Steve McClaren, former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez and Chelsea's Carlo Ancelotti.

Whelan said although he was happy for Martinez to speak to Villa, he was confident that the respected 37-year-old Spaniard would remain at Wigan, where he has been offered an improved contract.

"I had a good meeting with Roberto yesterday and the decision whether he is going to stay or go is entirely in his hands," Whelan told BBC Radio 5 Live. "I will support him whichever way he wants to go.

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Barcelona have taken the unusual step of announcing their summer transfer budget after confirming they are taking measures to reduce the club's debt.

Javier Faus, the European champions' vice-president of the finance department, said last night coach Pep Guardiola would have "45 million euros (Dh200m) for new signings, plus money that may be obtained from sales".

The announcement has led to speculation Barca will not be able to move for targets such as Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas, although income could be generated from sales of the likes of Bojan Krkic, Jeffren and Maxwell.

In announcing a reduction in the amount the club owe, Faus said: "The gross debt has been reduced from 532million euros to €483million, and the net debt from €431million to €364million. We want to decide our future and to do so we must reduce the debt to acceptable levels."

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The Germany striker Miroslav Klose has transferred to Lazio after failing to agree to a new contract with Bayern Munich.

Lazio announced the deal without providing any details, although Italian media reported that the Polish-born forward signed a two-year contract.

Klose is coming off a quiet season with Bayern, where he was mostly a backup for Mario Gomez, the Bundesliga's top scorer with 28 goals. Klose managed only one goal in 20 appearances.

Klose had been at Bayern for the past four seasons, scoring 24 goals in 98 Bundesliga games. He turns 33 Thursday.

Lazio finished fifth in Serie A last month, level with fourth-place Udinese on points. The Roman club didn't qualify for the Champions League due to goal difference.

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Egyptian international Ahmed Elmohamady has completed a permanent move to Sunderland after a successful season on loan at the Stadium of Light, the Premier League club confirmed Thursday.

The 23-year-old winger has signed a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee after impressing Sunderland boss Steve Bruce last season, where he played 38 times in all competitions.

"Ahmed has done well in his first season with the club and has shown plenty of potential," Bruce told Sunderland's official website on Thursday.

"We look forward to helping him grow as a player and I think there is much more to come from him."

Sunderland have transfer money to spend following the sale of striker Darren Bent earlier this year and the departure of midfielder Jordan Henderson for £20 million to Liverpool earlier this week.

Reports Thursday said Sunderland had tabled a £12million bid with Manchester United aimed at securing Darron Gibson, John O'Shea and Wes Brown.

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Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp says he is not looking to sell striker Peter Crouch this summer despite reported interested from Sunderland.

Black Cats manager Steve Bruce is looking to add new faces to his squad with the £20million he is set to receive from Jordan Henderson's expected transfer to Liverpool.

Bruce tried to sign Crouch two summers ago from Portsmouth but the 30-year-old opted to move to White Hart Lane instead.

The towering striker enjoyed a successful first season in north London but struggled slightly last term, with just four of his 11 goals coming in the Barclays Premier League.

The poor form of Jermain Defoe and Roman Pavlyuchenko has also left Redknapp in no doubt that he needs a new striker, and Didier Drogba, Leandro Damiao and Mousa Dembele have all being linked with the club.

That does not mean Crouch's days at White Hart Lane are numbered though, the Spurs boss insisted.

When asked whether Crouch would leave Tottenham this summer, Redknapp told the BBC: "I doubt it. Crouchy is a good player. I like him. He is a great lad and I love him as a fella.

"He is not one I'm looking to shift. We are looking to bring a striker in but he is not one of those that we are looking to sell if we can help it."

Crouch himself made it clear earlier this week that he does not want to leave the club.