Transfer news and speculation, 16 January

Fortune bolsters Baggies' options in forward line

West Bromwich Albion have further boosted their attacking options by making Marc-Antoine Fortune their second January signing. The French Guyana forward has joined the Baggies on loan for the rest of the season from French top-flight club Nancy. The 27-year-old cannot be recalled for the duration of his loan – and Albion also have an exclusive option to buy him during the summer. Fortune's availability for tomorrow's league match with Middlesbrough is now subject to the club receiving international clearance in time.

Fortune joined Nancy in 2007 and his six goals last term helped them to finish fourth and qualify for the Uefa Cup.

The Benfica striker Ariza Makukula has turned down West Bromwich. The 27-year-old was reportedly due to sign for the Baggies on loan after the two clubs reached an agreement. However, Makukula revealed he was not happy with their offer. "There was an agreement between West Bromwich and Benfica," he said. "But I didn't like their offer."

Allardyce snaps up Givet on loan

The Marseilles defender Gaël Givet has joined Blackburn Rovers on loan until the end of the season. Sam Allardyce, the Rovers manager, has the option of signing the 27-year-old on a permanent basis at the end of his loan spell. Givet, who can play at left-back or at centre-back and has been capped by France, has not played a single match for Marseilles this season after falling out with the coach, Eric Gerets. He joined them from Monaco in the summer of 2007 and made 29 appearances in Ligue 1 last season.

Kilbane wings in as Finnan talks

Hull City have completed the signing of the winger Kevin Kilbane from Wigan for an undisclosed fee and are in talks with the former Liverpool full-back Steve Finnan. Kilbane has agreed a two-and-a-half-year deal at the KC Stadium after passing a medical and could make his debut in tomorrow's home game against Arsenal. Finnan was yesterday undergoing a medical with the Tigers after Espanyol agreed to let the player return to the Premier League just five months after he left Anfield for Spain.

McCarthy jumps at chance of signing Reid

The West Ham youngster Kyel Reid has joined the Championship leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers on loan until May. The 21-year-old returned to Upton Park at the start of January following a month at Blackpool and has previously enjoyed loan spells with Barnsley and Crystal Palace. The Wolves manager, Mick McCarthy, swooped for Reid after a move for the Rangers winger Alan Gow fell through.

English clubs fail to ignite Inler's interest

Gokhan Inler's agent claims there are four English teams interested in signing the midfielder, but the Udinese player is set to remain in Serie A. The Switzerland international, who is under contract until June 2011, has been linked with a move this month. However, his agent, Dino Lamberti said: "There are three or four clubs in England interested. But those teams do not interest the player because they aren't top teams."

Rumour mill: Tales from the web

As Birmingham continue to drag their feet over a move for the Rangers striker Kris Boyd, Lazio have emerged as surprise contenders for the former Scottish international.

La Gazzetta Dello Sport

Arturo Lupoli seems to relish the delights of the Championship relegation battle as the Fiorentina loanee swaps Norwich City for Southampton.

Firenzeviola.it

High-flying Fulham look set to vie with Midlands duo West Bromwich and Birmingham in the race to sign the Greek international forward Angelos Charisteas.

Setanta Sport

The cup-scoring exploits of Turf Moor hero Jay Rodriguez have alerted Italians Reggina as they look to prise the youngster from Burnley on loan until the end of the campaign.

football-rumours.com