Beattie given deadline to make up mind over £6.5m move

The Southampton manager, Harry Redknapp, has given James Beattie until tomorrow to let him know where he is going after revealing that Everton and Aston Villa have had £6.5m bids for the England striker accepted.

Both Everton and Villa have been given permission to speak to the 26-year-old. "James is talking to Everton and talking to Villa and we should get an answer by Monday," said Redknapp. "The fee is around £6.5m but Blackburn will get quite a bit of that as part of the deal that brought James here, so there is no way I will get all the money."

Jonathan Spector's loan move to Blackburn has been put on hold because of Manchester United's growing injury crisis. The defender was due to join Rovers for the rest of the season in a bid to gain more Premiership exposure.

However, since Sir Alex Ferguson agreed to release Spector, John O'Shea has suffered a thigh injury, and Ferguson has recalled the 18-year-old American, although he said the deal will go through before the transfer window closes.

Fulham's striker Luis Boa Morte and goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar are close to signing extended deals at Craven Cottage. Boa Morte has been linked with a move to Newcastle, while Van der Sar is believed to be a target for Arsenal and Manchester United. The Fulham manager, Chris Coleman, said both players have been made improved offers.

Birmingham are poised to snap up Robbie Blake this week after agreeing a fee for the Burnley captain. The former Darlington and Bradford striker has netted 13 League goals this season. The fee is thought to be in the region of £1.5m, with Blake's arrival sure to be welcomed at St Andrews, where Emile Heskey and Clinton Morrison are the only two fit forwards.