Magpies enter race for Sinclair's signature

Press Watch

Newcastle want to nip in ahead of North-east rivals Sunderland to clinch the signature of West Ham midfielder Trevor Sinclair, according to the Sunday People, who reckon Bobby Robson, who cannot afford to meet West Ham's valuation in a straight cash deal, is tempting Glenn Roeder by offering Nolberto Solano in part-exchange. The Sunday Mirror, meanwhile, says Sunderland boss Peter Reid is considering a £4.5m bid for Paolo Di Canio after learning about the uncertainty over the Italian's future when he enquired about Sinclair. However, another People story says Robson has been watching Feyenoord's Australian midfielder Brett Emerton, said to be an Arsenal target, while the Mirror links him with another Aussie, Lillestrom midfielder Clayton Zane.

The News of the World says Harry Redknapp would take West Ham outcast Svetoslav Todorov to Bournemouth if Roeder will accept £500,000, the amount Redknapp paid for him while he was at Upton Park. The same paper links West Ham and Derby with the 32-year-old Iranian striker Ali Daei, of Hertha Berlin. Derby are set to solve their right-back problem by signing Blackburn's Jeff Kenna, according to the Mirror. The News of the World says Derby manager Colin Todd would be interested in another defender – his son Andy – if Charlton will release him on a free transfer after his training ground clash with goalkeeper Dean Kiely.

The News of the World believes Alan Curbishley is already poised to sign Polish international Bak, while the Mirror says Leicester want Arsenal centre-back Matthew Upson and links West Brom with Leicester's Trevor Benjamin.

The News of the World reckons Leicester may attempt to land Nottingham Forest forward David Johnson on loan and have failed in a loan bid for the Wimbledon midfielder Michael Hughes, who, they say, is interesting Manchester City, Preston and West Brom.

The People predicts that Tottenham will head the queue for Aston Villa's unsettled defender Gareth Barry, with competition likely from Leeds and Middlesbrough.

The same paper suggests Tottenham could be interested in Bayern Munich midfielder Steffan Effenberg, while the Mirror says Tottenham's Tim Sherwood is interesting Norwich, Wolverhampton and Coventry.

DIFFERENCES OF OPINION

SUNDAY PEOPLE

Dave Bassett has earmarked Craig Hignett as his first Leicester signing. He wants the Blackburn midfielder to fill the void left by the likely departure of Muzzy Izzet (left). Hignett and Harry worked together at Barnsley where the former Middlesbrough player was top scorer.

SUNDAY MIRROR

Leicester have lined up Tranmere star Jason Koumas as the replacement for transfer-listed Muzzy Izzet.