Thuram poised for £19m move to United

Manchester United are close to sealing the £18.9m signing of the France defender Lilian Thuram from Juventus, according to press reports from Italy. Thuram cost the Turin side £22m when he was signed from Parma but has long been admired by Sir Alex Ferguson, the Old Trafford manager.

Liverpool have agreed a fee with the French club Sedan for the Senegal midfielder Salif Diao. The club will discuss terms with the 25-year-old after the World Cup.

Robbie Savage is set to move to Birmingham City from Leicester City in a £2m deal later this week after the Wales midfielder agreed terms at St Andrew's.

West Bromwich Albion have been quoted a price of £2.5m for Preston's captain, Sean Gregan.

Steve Cotterill was confirmed as Stoke City's new manager yesterday. Cotterill left Cheltenham Town despite steering them into the Second Division last season.

Manchester City are having to restructure their bid to sign Nicolas Anelka from Paris St-Germain because Lucien Mettomo does not want to leave. Anelka was due to join for £9m plus the £3m-rated Cameroon World Cup defender Mettomo. Kevin Keegan, the City manager, is pressing on with the £4m signing of the Argentinian striker Matias Vicente Vuoso. He arrived yesterday to complete his move from Independiente.