Blackburn set to sign unsettled Mettomo for £5m

Lucien Mettomo, a target of Blackburn Rovers, has walked out on his French club, St Etienne after they refused to sell him for £5m. Mettomo carried out his threat to turn his back on St Etienne when he boycotted training on Monday in protest at the stalling of the transfer.

Lucien Mettomo, a target of Blackburn Rovers, has walked out on his French club, St Etienne after they refused to sell him for £5m. Mettomo carried out his threat to turn his back on St Etienne when he boycotted training on Monday in protest at the stalling of the transfer.

The Cameroon international is keen to join Blackburn and said: "My next move is to come to England. I want to join Blackburn - rapid." Blackburn's fourth and final offer may now be accepted by St Etienne and Mettomo could be signed in time to face Sheffield United on Friday.

Eyal Berkovic could also be on his way to Rovers after his agent revealed that Celtic are in talks with Souness's side. Christian Dailly could move in the opposite direction if the transfer goes ahead.

Linking up with Souness, who was his manager at Southampton, could revive Berkovic's career. But Pinhas Zahavi, Berkovic's agent, insists that Berkovic still "loves" Celtic and there is a chance he could stay to fight for his place at Parkhead. Zahavi added: "Of course he is not happy with life at Celtic because he wants to be playing every game like any footballer. But he really loves Celtic Football Club and he could stay there if he is given the right assurances. If they make him feel welcome and assure him that he has a future at the club then he will stay and fight for his place, and be happy in doing so."

Blackburn have admitted that talks are ongoing and that Dailly, the Scotland defender, could be on his way to Glasgow. A club spokesman said: "There have been discussions going on and now it comes down to the player's preferences. Souness would like to have Eyal at the club and I think there is a good chance that Christian could go to Celtic."

Newcastle United have handed a four-year contract to the teenage striker, Shola Ameobi, after he impressed on his Premiership debut. Ameobi, 18, has risen through the ranks at St James' Park after joining the club's youth academy. He played 20 minutes of the goalless draw against Chelsea at the weekend after coming on as a substitute for Kevin Gallacher.

Sheffield Wednesday are trying to sign the right-back Robbie Stockdale from Middlesbrough. Paul Jewell, the Wednesday manager, has made an approach for Stockdale and is keen to buy him for £500,000 or take him on loan.

Meanwhile, Ashley Westwood, the Bradford defender, has completed his £150,000 move to Sheffield Wednesday. The 24-year-old former England youth international had been on loan at Hillsborough since the start of the season. Wednesday have, however, decided against signing Blackburn's utility player Simon Grayson, who had also been on loan with the Owls.

Wolves have sent the Ipswich defender, Manuel Thetis, back to Portman Road halfway through his loan spell at Molineux.

Mark Lillis has been sacked as manager of Halifax Town after just 15 months in the job.