Ferguson faces showdown with United over Di Canio

Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to challenge his Manchester United paymasters by asking them to make a cash offer for Paolo Di Canio. The United manager wants to sign the Italian from West Ham, and is pushing for United to make a bid of around £3m for the 31-year-old. He initially tried to initiate a swap with Dwight Yorke, but is so keen on Di Canio that he will pay cash if the exchange falls through.

However, that may put Ferguson at loggerheads with United's plc as the chief executive, Peter Kenyon, is reluctant to sign anyone aged over 28.

Yesterday, Ferguson issued a challenge to the United board, claiming it would be a "real kick in the teeth" if they failed to make any more prominent signings this summer. Ferguson maintains that the £19m signing of Ruud van Nistelrooy should be the first of a number of high-profile arrivals. This conflicts with Kenyon's view stated last week that the squad needs just the "odd tweak".

"I think this is an important summer for Peter Kenyon," Ferguson said. "This will be his first close season in the transfer market and it is his first chance to let United fans know that he's trying his best."

Ferguson yesterday also made a plea to Denis Irwin to stay at United. The full-back became a free agent after failing to agree a new one-year contract and is wanted by a number of clubs, including Watford and Coventry. "I want Denis to stay," Ferguson said. "I hope he can come to an agreement."

The Premier League has announced the first 11 matches to be shown on pay-per-view television, which will further erode the number of matches on Saturdays. Most of the PPV games will be played at 2pm on Sundays, meaning that the number of Premiership games on Saturdays will decline even further.

Darren Anderton is aiming to be fit for the new season after signing a new four-year contract with Tottenham.

"With an Achilles tendon injury, you can never say you'll be fit in a definite period of time because any little setback can put you back another four to six weeks," the England international said. "I would think that [Tottenham's manager] Glenn Hoddle is not counting his chickens, but I hope to be fit for pre-season training."

Robbie Elliott has completed his move back to Newcastle on a free transfer from Bolton. Bobby Robson's deputy, Mick Wadsworth, has departed Tyneside for Southampton to link up with the new Saints manager, Stuart Gray.

The former England Under-21 goalkeeper Andy Marshall has left Norwich for Ipswich, to replace the Arsenal-bound Richard Wright. The French striker Marc Libbra has begun talks with Norwich after a permanent switch to Hibernian collapsed. The Canaries are also close to signing the Wolves utility player Neil Emblen.

Boston United, of the Nationwide Conference, have failed to sign Stan Collymore. Portsmouth are poised to beat Preston to the signature of the QPR striker Peter Crouch in a £1.5m deal.

Coventry want to sign the Blackburn striker Nathan Blake for around £1.5m, with Crystal Palace also interested. Although the Sky Blues are looking to Blake as a possible replacement for John Hartson, Blake's Welsh international colleague reported for training despite speculation that he is about to leave.

Cardiff are ready to sign Liverpool's Welsh midfielder Layton Maxwell on a Bosman transfer.Bobby Gould has left his job as Cardiff's director of football by mutual consent. Cardiff are to make a £2m bid for the Brighton striker Bobby Zamora.

Wimbledon have had a £1m bid for Wigan's Dutch defender Arjan de Zeeuw turned down. Stoke have signed the Aberdeen midfielder David Rowson.

Motherwell have signed David Kelly on a one-year contract. The 35-year-old striker turned down an offer to coach Sheffield United reserves.

The new official England supporters club was launched by the Football Association yesterday. Members will be required to consent to having their criminal records checked.