Transfer news and speculation, 10 July

Portsmouth are expected to tie up the £10m signing of Peter Crouch from Liverpool by the end of the week. Crouch has agreed personal terms with Pompey and the England striker will complete his move providing his medical results are acceptable. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Asmir Begovic has signed a new three-year deal at Fratton Park. The 21-year-old, who was born in Bosnia but raised in Canada, has yet to make a first-team appearance. Portsmouth have also offered a trial to the former Chelsea full-back Celestine Babayaro, who has been a free agent since an ill-fated move to Los Angeles Galaxy was cut short. The club have confirmed a link-up with Belgian side Zulte-Waregem which could see players loaned out to gain first-team experience.

Birmingham steal in to sign Phillips

Birmingham have signed West Brom's veteran striker Kevin Phillips on a free transfer. The 34-year-old former Sunderland and Aston Villa player, who was Albion's top scorer with 24 goals in last season's promotion campaign and was named as the club's player of the year, had been holding out for a two-year contract at the Hawthorns. However, Tony Mowbray, the Albion manager, was only prepared to offer him one. Phillips' decision has come as a disappointment to Birmingham's Championship rivals Barnsley, who made contact with the former England international and his agent when it became known he was available.

Hodgson close to capturing Stoor

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson has opened talks with Rosenborg in an effort to sign the Swedish right-back Fredrik Stoor. The 24-year-old has eight caps for his country and featured in all three of their games at Euro 2008 last month, and has been at the Norwegian club for two years. A Rosenborg spokesman said: "The clubs don't agree on the valuation of the player at the moment. But something could happen very shortly."

Holloway linked to Tynecastle job

Ian Holloway has emerged as the latest contender to become Hearts new manager. The former QPR, Leicester and Plymouth manager's agent has held talks with the Tynecastle club who yesterday announced caretaker manager Stephen Frail had left "by mutual consent". Hearts have ruled out choosing a Scot, with owner Vladimir Romanov citing concerns about the "local footballing mafia".

Zaki contract row blocks JJB switch

Wigan Athletic Egypt striker Amr Zaki has put thoughts of a move to the JJB on hold while he sorts out his future with the Egyptian club Zamalek. The 25-year-old, who starred at the African Cup of Nations in Ghana earlier this year, is in dispute with his club.

Yesterday's completed moves:

John Bostock (Crystal Palace) to Tottenham H; £700,000

Andreas Granqvist (Wigan A) to Groningen; £600,000

Charlie MacDonald (Southend U) to Brentford; Undisclosed

Ian Joyce (unattached) to Southend United; Signed

Kevin Phillips (unattached) to Birmingham City; Signed

Edrissa Sonko (unattached) to Tranmere Rovers; Signed

Slobodan Rajkovic (Chelsea) to Twente Enschede; Loan