Transfer talk (Wednesday, 8 July)

They shoot...

Everton bid £13m for Defour

Everton are eager to secure the services of Standard Liege midfielder Steven Defour, a former team-mate of Marouane Fellaini. David Moyes, the Everton manager, has not been put off by Liege's rejection of a £9m bid for Defour and has tabled a second bid for the player, believed to be around £13m. The midfield playmaker has indicated he is ready to leave Belgium but only when the price is right for his club. Liege are expected to drive a particularly hard bargain.

Vieri trains with Blackburn

The Italian striker Christian Vieri will train with Blackburn at their summer camp in Austria and undergo a trial for the club as he seeks to resurrect his career, the 35-year-old having been without a team since Atalanta released him in April. But Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce, who will miss the trip to maintain his pursuit of a striker, has said Ruud van Nistelrooy's wage demands put him out of Rovers' financial range.

Ian Herbert

Martinez in for scotland

The Wigan manager Roberto Martinez is targeting Jason Scotland from his old club, Swansea. Martinez signed him for Swnsea for £25,000 from St Johnstone in 2007.

They score...

Blues bag Benitez

The Ecuador striker Christian Benitez completed his move to Birmingham City yesterday for a fee which could rise to £7.8m.

QPR sign £3.5m Faurlin

Queen's Park Rangers have bought the 22-year-old Argentine midfielder Alejandro Faurlin for £3.5m from Instituto. Faurlin is the new manager Jim Magilton's first signing for the wealthy Championship club.

Valdes commits future

Goalkeeper Victor Valdes has finally agreed a new four-year contract at Barcelona after talks stalled last month.

They miss...

Happy Hangeland

Fulham's highly-rated central defender Brede Hangeland has claimed he is content at Craven Cottage. "I'm very happy at Fulham and would like a new contract," he said.