Transfer Talk: Defence the target for Bruce

days to go until the window closes (Deals must complete by 5pm tomorrow)

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce hopes to sign a defender before tomorrow's deadline after allowing Paul McShane to join Hull. Tigers centre-back Michael Turner has been linked with a switch to the Stadium of Light. "We have one or two things in the pipeline," Bruce said. Meanwhile, Manchester City striker Benjani Mwaruwari may join McShane at Hull after the clubs agreed a fee.

Zola wants Collins to stay

The West Ham manager, Gianfranco Zola, says the club will do all they can to keep centre-back James Collins after the Aston Villa manager, Martin O'Neill, and Everton's David Moyes watched the Welsh international at Blackburn on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Hammers have rejected an £8m bid from Fiorentina for Matthew Upson.

Barca president sorry

The Barcelona president, Joan Laporta, has apologised to Arsenal over the club's pursuit of Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas, claiming the "case of Fabregas is special". "He is a Catalan player from our youth team," Laporta said. "It is not a secret that we love this player."

Everton move for Dutchman

Everton have agreed a fee with Atletico Madrid for defender Johnny Heitinga.

McCarthy keen for closure

Wolves' manager, Mick McCarthy, admits he cannot wait for the transfer window to close. "I'll be glad because it becomes frenzied," he said. "You see people counting down, five days and 23 hours to go, three days and 10 secs to go... and so on. If we get players in, we get them in."