Fulham in move for Di Canio

Fulham are preparing a £2.5m bid to sign West Ham's Paolo Di Canio. The Cottagers' manager, Jean Tigana, was surprised to discover that Di Canio was available at the right price, just weeks after he failed with a bid for the Italian's team-mate, Frédéric Kanouté.

Fulham feel Di Canio would blend in well with their side and West Ham have been contacted with an offer they are currently considering. The move may now come down to a decision by the player himself.

West Ham's attempt to sign the Italian international defender, Alessandro Pierini, has fallen through. The 28-year-old Fiorentina player had agreed personal terms with the Hammers after the two clubs decided on a £4.5m fee. The West Ham manager, Glenn Roeder, insists that money played no part in the deal's collapse and criticised the Serie A side for making the negotiations public.

Newcastle arrived in France to prepare for tonight's Intertoto Cup final with the threat of a passport scandal looming as a distraction. Bobby Robson's team headed for Troyes amid reports that the Peruvian midfielder, Nolberto Solano, is to be charged in connection with a probe into the alleged use of false documents to obtain a passport. Both the player and his club deny the allegation.

However, while United are confident that they have broken no rules, the issue refuses to go away. A Football Association's spokesman, Adrian Bevington, said that the investigation is ongoing, and the report is yet to be completed.

Solano arrived in England in 1998 after completing a £2.5m move from the Argentinian side, Boca Juniors. He was initially granted a work permit but later obtained a Greek passport.

It has been suggested that Solano, Arsenal's Lithuanian striker Tomas Danilevicius, and another un-named player will be identified in a report due to be published within days.

Robson learned last night that Alan Shearer has been given the go-ahead to resume full training. The Newcastle manager confirmed that the former England striker had been given the go-ahead to put his injured knee to the test after visiting the American specialist, Dr Richard Steadman, in Paris yesterday.

Terry Venables yesterday pulled out of an interview for the vacant job of Greek national coach. Venables, who has been heavily involved in the launch of ITV's coverage of the new Premiership season, was angry that news of his interview had leaked out.

The Greek Football Association had been expecting the former England coach to fly to Athens yesterday afternoon after he was listed as one of five candidates for the job. But Venables said: "This meeting was meant to be private but it is now common knowledge and so as far as I am concerned it is off."

The Bolton manager, Sam Allardyce, is involved in talks to sign the Polish international centre-half, Jacek Bak, who is currently with Lyon, for £2.2m.

The Blackburn manager, Graeme Souness, will give the French defender, Cedric Kanté, the chance to solve his left-back problems. Kanté is currently with Strasbourg.

The Aston Villa manager, John Gregory, looks set to clinch a deal for the £6m-rated Dynamo Zagreb striker, Bosko Balaban, before the start of the Premiership season.

Wolves have agreed a deal for the Charlton midfielder, Shaun Newton, subject to a medical and the player agreeing personal terms. The two clubs have settled on an initial fee of £850,000, rising to a maximum of £1m, plus a further £150,000 should the First Division club gain promotion while Newton is part of the squad.

Portsmouth have called off their friendly against Havant & Waterlooville as a mark of respect for their goalkeeper, Aaron Flahavan, who died in a car accident on Sunday.