Football: Everton propose Carsley swap deal

EVERTON have set up a swap deal for the Derby County midfielder, Lee Carsley. Howard Kendall, the Goodison Park manager, is willing to trade the centre-half Craig Short back to his old club for Carsley, a Republic of Ireland international. Both players are rated at around pounds 2.5m.

Kendall is also willing to put Nick Barmby, a Derby target last season, into the package - although he would want a cash adjustment for the former England international.

Derby County have agreed terms with the Argentinian side Rosario Central for the defender Horacio Carbonari, 24. The fee of around pounds 2.7m would be a club record, exceeding the pounds 2.5m the Rams paid Notts County for Craig Short in 1992.

Manchester United are ready to abandon their pursuit of the Cameroon and Lens midfielder, Marc-Vivien Foe, after their final bid of around pounds 5m was rejected. "It's looking increasingly unlikely," United's chairman, Martin Edwards, said. The French club are believed to be asking for pounds 8m.

Martin Dahlin has told Blackburn Rovers he wants to leave Ewood Park - and move to a club in London. The Swedish striker, branded a "disaster" by manager Roy Hodgson, has failed to live up to expectations after a pounds 2m move from Roma last year.

Blackburn have opened negotiations with Gillingham over the transfer of their 17-year-old striker, Jim Corbett.

Joe Royle, the Manchester City manager, may make the Australian left- back, Danny Tiatto, his first summer signing for the Maine Road club. A free agent after being released by the Swiss Second Division club, Baden, Tiatto played on loan for Stoke City last season.

The Zambian-born Manchester City midfielder Jim Whitley, who was named this week in the Wales squad to face Malta and Tunisia in friendlies next month, has chosen to remain part of the Northern Ireland set-up instead.