Football In Brief

Souness chases Emre signature

* The Newcastle chairman, Freddy Shepherd, has confirmed that the club's manager, Graeme Souness, has travelled to Turkey to meet the Internazionale midfielder Emre Belozoglu. Shepherd said that Souness had held "exploratory talks" with the 24-year-old Turkey international. Emre's agent, Ahmet Bulut, said the player would decide on his future by today. Aston Villa, meanwhile, have not given up hope of signing the Newcastle striker Craig Bellamy. "We haven't been informed that he has rejected us, so it is something we're still pursuing," said Villa's secretary, Steve Stride.

Birmingham agree Carter fee

* Birmingham City have accepted West Bromwich Albion's £1.5m offer for midfielder Darren Carter. Albion have been given permission to discuss personal terms with the 21-year-old, which they will do when he returns from holiday. West Brom could pay a further £250,000 depending on appearances. Carter scored four goals in 17 games last season after a loan spell at Sunderland.

Marlet wants European deal

* The Fulham striker Steve Marlet is hoping to secure a new loan deal with a large European club after his two-year spell at Marseilles ended this week. The 31-year-old France international was on loan to them in 2003, with the club extending his loan by one season last year. Marlet will now return to Fulham, who hold his registration, but he does not expect a long stay at Craven Cottage.

Juve tie Nedved and Thuram

* The Italian champions, Juventus, have completed deals to keep the Czech Republic midfielder, Pavel Nedved, and French central defender, Lilian Thuram, with the club until 2008. The players have signed two-year extensions to their contracts, which were due to run out at the end of next season. Both joined Juventus in 2001, Thuram arriving from Parma and Nedved from Lazio.