Richards stays put as Saints say no to Spurs

Southampton have rejected a £4m bid from Tottenham Hotspur for the centre-back Dean Richards, who is wanted at White Hart Lane by the former Saints manager Glenn Hoddle.

The club's chairman Rupert Lowe said: "Tottenham Hotspur today made an offer of £4m for the registration of the player, in either cash or by way of player exchange. We have rejected this offer unreservedly, both verbally and in writing.

"Dean Richards has four years remaining on his contract with Southampton and both he and his agent have been informed of the current situation."

The Milan striker Oliver Bierhoff's much-touted move to Marseilles looks back on, despite Bolton Wanderers' interest in the 33-year-old German international.

Marseilles' sporting director Bernard Tapie flew to Italy last Friday to revive a move, and the deal, if completed, would cost the French side £1.5m.

The Blackburn Rovers manager Graeme Souness is trying to complete the signing of French defender Franck Queudrue. Souness was impressed with the Lens player when he trained with Rovers yesterday and now he is trying agree a price. Queudrue is rated at £3m.

Cardiff City are making a £750,000 move for Tranmere Rovers' Clint Hill. The defender has just signed a new contract but Cardiff are ready to offer him a major deal after being snubbed by Huddersfield's Chris Lucketti.

The Wigan Athletic manager Paul Jewell has gone back to his old club Bradford City with a £350,000 bid for the winger Jamie Lawrence.

Portsmouth's director of football Harry Redknapp is trying to sign the Yokohama Marinos and Japan goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi. He was at Shizuoka's Ecopa Stadium to watch Kawaguchi on Wednesday as Japan beat Australia 3-0 to win the Asia-Oceania Challenge Cup.

Dundee United have agreed to sell the left-back David Partridge to Plymouth for £75,000. The 22-year-old Englishman is set to link up once again with Argyle's manager Paul Sturrock, previously in charge at Dundee United.