Kanouté keen on switch to Tottenham

Frederic Kanoute was hoping for a swift agreement between West Ham United and Tottenham yesterday after the two sides began negotiations over his proposed move to White Hart Lane.

Spurs' valuation of the 25-year-old Frenchman is around £2m lower than the fee West Ham are looking for. However, the forward has said he would "consider" a switch to Spurs if the two clubs agree on a fee and his representative, Willie McKay, added: "We're hopeful the deal will happen."

Fulham's Japanese midfielder Junichi Inamoto is wanted by Serie A newcomers Ancona - and will be on his way if a price can be agreed.

Inamoto was in and out of the team last season and his one-year stay could end with a move to the Italians. Another Fulham player wanted elsewhere is the Moroccan centre half Abdeslam Ouaddou, a target for the French side Rennes.

However, Fulham's captain Andy Melville has committed his future to the club by signing a one-year extension to his contract.

The Leeds United manager, Peter Reid, is in France to run the rule over the Brazilian midfielder Kleberson, who is playing in the Confederations Cup. Reid wants to do a pay-as-you-play deal, and Kleberson would be relatively inexpensive at £4m. His club Athletico Paranaense are willing to trade.

Steve Bruce, the Birmingham City manager, is in talks to sign the Middlesbrough goalkeeper Mark Crossley. Bruce has offered £400,000 for the experienced Crossley, who is the second choice at Middlesbrough. Boro are looking for £750,000.

The former Sheffield Wednesday defender Dejan Stefanovic is poised to join Portsmouth for a fee of £1.85m from Vitesse Arnhem. The 28-year-old Serbia & Montenegro international has been a target for the Pompey manager, Harry Redknapp, since Portsmouth secured promotion to the top flight.