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Transfer news and speculation, 31 July

Thursday 31 July 2008 00:00 BST
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Sunderland announced their fourth signing of the summer last night after the Spurs midfielder Steed Malbranque successfully completed a medical on Wearside and there is a possibility that Celtic's Bobo Baldé could become a fifth.

But Roy Keane confirmed last night that Younes Kaboul will not become the fourth arrival from Spurs at the Stadium of Light. Kaboul now appears bound for Portsmouth. "Kaboul won't be coming," said Keane. "He made his decision and I wish him well. Maybe I should've taken him to a casino until four in the morning as allegedly one of the managers has done. These things go against you but there you go."

Teemu Tainio and Pascal Chimbonda are the other two recruits from Spurs and the trio will cost Sunderland around £14m. Baldé has long experience of British football after joining Celtic from Toulouse in 2001, but in the last two seasons has barely featured in Gordon Strachan's first-team plans and is available on a free transfer.

Having signed El Hadj Diouf from Bolton, Keane is still searching for a centre-forward – Tottenham's Darren Bent remains a target – and another defender before beginning to trim his squad.

By Michael Walker

Pulis delighted over Sorensen move

Stoke City The club have signed the goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen, who left Aston Villa earlier this summer, on a three-year deal. The 32-year-old Denmark international has been on trial with the Potters recently and was available on a free transfer after being released by Villa. He becomes the Stoke manager Tony Pulis's third recruit ahead of their maiden Premier League campaign, following Dave Kitson and Seyi Olofinjana. Pulis hailed the move as "superb business". He said: "Thomas is a fantastic acquisition for this football club. He has played almost 400 games in the Premier League and been No 1 for Denmark for a very long time. The fact that we have got him on a free transfer, too, is superb business for us, because I believe he is a very, very good goalkeeper."

Dutch international signs for Blues


Birmingham have signed the Dutch midfielder Kemy Agustien from AZ Alkmaar on a one-season loan for £590,000 with an option to buy for £1.57m. Agustien will increase Alex McLeish's options after losing Fabrice Muamba, Olivier Kapo and Daniel de Ridder, although he is currently recovering from a hernia operation. The Dutch Under-21 international began his career at Willem II before joining AZ in 2006, making 25 appearances last season.

Baggies agree fee for Bougherra


West Bromwich are closing in on Charlton's Madjid Bougherra after having a bid – believed to be worth more than £2m – accepted for the defender. Club officials are to hold talks with the Algerian, who is also a target for Real Betis. Baggies' manager Tony Mowbray has stressed the need to bring in more new blood after signing Scott Carson, Marek Cech and Gianni Zuiverloon during the summer and Bougherra is high on his list.

YESTERDAY'S COMPLETED MOVES

Kemy Agustien (AZ Alkmaar) to Birmingham City: Season-long loan

Fredrik Stoor (Rosenborg) to Fulham: Undisclosed

Tal Ben Haim (Chelsea) to Manchester City: Undisclosed

Lanre Oyebanjo (unattached) to Histon: Signed

Jos Van Nieuwstadt (unattached) to Doncaster: Signed

Amaury Bischoff (Werder Bremen) to Arsenal: Free transfer

Bernardo Corradi (Manchester City) to Reggina: Free transfer

Michael Jones (Tranmere) to Bury: Free transfer

Daniel Nardiello (Queen's Park Rangers) to Blackpool: Exchange

Zesh Rehman (Queen's Park Rangers) to Blackpool: Exchange

Kaspars Gorkas (Blackpool) to QPR: £250,000, plus Nardiello and Rehman

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