Transfer news and speculation, 1 August

(GETTY IMAGES)

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that the Chelsea striker Andrei Shevchenko will not return to San Siro this summer.

The Italian giants had reportedly hoped to bring the Ukrainian striker back to Milan as a replacement for striker Marco Borriello, who sustained a knee injury during training at the weekend and faces at least two months on the sidelines after undergoing surgery.

But Ancelotti said yesterday: "Borriello has a problem which will be resolved quickly, so we will wait for him. Shevchenko will play at Chelsea this season."

Milan are on their way to Moscow where they will take on La Liga side Seville before meeting the winner of the match between Lokomotiv Moscow and Chelsea on Sunday.

Ancelotti revealed that the 18-year-old striker Alberto Paloschi would deputise for Borriello in Milan's starting line-up for both games.

"Besides Kaka, Paloschi remains our only striker available, so he will play the next two games that are important tests against strong teams," he added.

Milan signed former World Player of the Year Ronaldinho earlier this month from Barcelona but the midfielder is with the Brazil team preparing for the Olympic Games.

Cotterill to give Blades cutting edge

Sheffield United have completed the signing of Wigan Athletic's David Cotterill alongside fellow new faces Matthew Spring (on loan from Luton) and Justin Haber (signed from Greek side Haidari). The Blades manager, Kevin Blackwell, had put Cotterill, on loan at Bramall Lane for three months last season, at the top of his summer shopping list and he has now signed a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee. The Wales international, who can play up front or on the wing, struggled to establish himself at the JJB Stadium but looks set to be a key player at Bramall Lane. Blackwell said: "He's only 20 and a full international. He has shown glimpses of the real potential that enabled Bristol City to sell him [to Wigan] for £2m."

Bywater lined up as Gomes' understudy

Paul Jewell, the Derby County manager, has revealed that goalkeeper Stephen Bywater is close to signing for Spurs. The 27-year-old former West Ham keeper, who joined Derby two years ago, is expected to move to White Hart Lane as Heurelho Gomes' understudy following Paul Robinson's move to Blackburn Rovers last week. Jewell said: "Tottenham came in with a bid for Stephen and the player is very keen to go, which is fully understandable. I would like to have kept him but it is a move which appeals to him and we wish him well."

Laporta closes the door on Trezeguet

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has dismissed reports linking his club with a bid for David Trezeguet, the veteran Juventus forward. He also revealed that Barcelona have held talks with Internazionale and Milan over the possible sale of Samuel Eto'o, though neither club had made an offer. After his side's 3-1 friendly win over Fiorentina in Italy, Laporta told the Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport: "Trezeguet is not a player who interests us. He's a great player, but our squad is now complete. We're only waiting to see how the situation with Eto'o will develop."

Yesterday's completed moves:

David Bentley (Blackburn Rovers) to Tottenham; £15m

David Cotterill (Wigan) to Sheffield United; Undisclosed

Matthew Mills (Manchester City) to Doncaster; £300,000

Luciano Becchio (unattached) to Leeds United; Signed

Lee Collins (Wolves) to Port Vale; Six-month loan

Graham Coughlan (Rotherham) to Shrewsbury; Undisclosed