Big four track Nigerian Edu as Keane's United links pay dividend

Premiership sides were put on alert yesterday following the collapse of the proposed £3m move to Lokomotiv Moscow for Lyn Oslo's Nigeria striker Edu.

Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal had all been tracking Chinedu Ogbuke - nicknamed Edu after the former Gunners midfielder, and the 20-year-old was yesterday reported to be heading to England for a trial, although the collapse of a proposed move to Arsenal before Christmas due to work permit problems may discourage English interest.

Elsewhere, the Sunderland manager Roy Keane has returned to his former club to sign the Manchester United youngster Jonny Evans on loan. The 19-year-old Northern Ireland defender has moved for the rest of the season and because of injury problems could make his debut against Preston tomorrow.

The Newcastle United manager Glenn Roeder said he will consider short-term deals as he attempts to strengthen his squad. Roeder, who is looking for a striker and two defenders, said: "What I do not want to do is to sign players who we will be lumbered with for the next three and a half years."

The Hearts' head coach Valdas Ivanauskas said his side had beaten Celtic to the Romanian teenager Dumitru Copil, described as the "new Gheorghe Hagi". Copil, 16, will move from Atletico Arad on a two-year contract.