Transfer news and speculation, 15 January

Heskey will stay put until end of season, claim Latics

(GETTY IMAGES)

Wigan Athletic's chief executive Brenda Spencer does not expect in-demand striker Emile Heskey to leave in the transfer window after claiming the player has pledged to stay until at least the end of the season. Heskey, who is out of contract in the summer, has been linked with former club Liverpool and Aston Villa in recent weeks. Manager Steve Bruce has stressed he wants to keep his squad intact and remains hopeful the England international will sign a new deal. It now seems unlikely the 31-year-old will leave this month.

"I think Emile has been fantastic for us," said Spencer. "When we bought him from Birmingham people thought we were mad but he has been an absolute gem for us and has done well for himself. He is a fantastic pro and we would be sorry to lose him in the summer if he goes. But he is enjoying his time at Wigan and has told us he was staying with us until the summer, [that] he was seeing out his contract. He is 31 so if he gets his final move we would wish him all the best."

Saudis get Seol on six-month loan

Fulham have loaned Seol Ki-Hyeon to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal for six months after the South Korea midfielder started just two Premier League games this season. The 30-year-old Seol has been a substitute in 12 of his 21 matches for the west London club since he joined from Reading in August 2007. Seol played in all six matches of South Korea's surprise run to the 2002 World Cup semi-finals and also appeared at the 2006 tournament, but he has struggled to establish himself in the Premier League.

N'Zogbia wants spot in Lyons den

Newcastle United midfielder Charles N'Zogbia has appealed to Lyons to sign him. "I am tuned in to it all but, having heard several rumours, I would like to receive something concrete," he said. "It is up to them to approach Newcastle and me. I am waiting for them. Lyons, make a move! Ligue 1 for me is an unknown. Therefore, in some respects, it is attractive." N'Zogbia, who is contracted to Newcastle until 2012, believes manager Joe Kinnear is "bluffing" when he says he will not let the 22-year-old go.

Diakite will remain with Lazio, says agent

Modibo Diakite, an Arsenal target, will not be leaving Lazio in the winter transfer window, according to the player's agent. The French defender has been strongly linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium, but Diakite's agent Pino Letterio claims the 21-year-old is happy at the Serie A club. "He is not moving away from Rome," said Letterio. "Lazio is like his family and he has no intention to leave the capital."

Miller poised to make loan move to QPR

Sunderland manager Ricky Sbragia has confirmed that midfielder Liam Miller could be allowed to join Queen's Park Rangers on loan until the end of the season. They have received an approach from the Championship side for the Republic of Ireland international, who may be prepared to let him leave the Stadium of Light on a temporary basis. Miller's Sunderland contract is due to expire in the summer.

Rumour mill: Tales from the web

Robbie Fowler is looking to add the E13 postcode to his extensive housing collection by signing for cash-strapped West Ham on a pay-as-you-play basis. football-rumours.co.uk

Shot-shy Chelsea are looking to bolster their fire power by signing the highly-rated Internazionale forward Mario Balotelli after the young Italian fell out with manager Jose Mourinho. Football Pools

Crisis talks at Newcastle United have prompted Joe Kinnear to raid Le Championnat for Stéphane Mbia and Albin Ebondo, of Rennes and Toulouse respectively, in a bid to starve off relegation worries. Goal.com

For the first time this season fortune may be smiling on West Brom, as Marc Antoine-Fortune claims to be close to signing for the Premier League basement side. football365

independent.co.uk/transfernews