FOOTBALL TRANSFER TALK

As the summer transfer madness starts, here are some of the more notable rumours in the world of football:

• Florent Malouda of Olympique Lyonnais,France
• Recent speculation had linked Sami Hyypia with a move to a quarter of the Premiership’s mid-table clubs, with it being claimed talks with Fulham were held but they couldn’t agree personal terms.
• Under pressure Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry has been quoted in the Portugeese press saying the Reds are still interested in signing winger Simao: “There are players we are interested in and Simao is one. But we have made no contact with Benfica. A swap with Cisse could be a possibility.”
• Reports claim Liverpool officials have been in talks with Athletico Madrid over the purchase of star striker Fernando Torres.
• Arsene Wenger has started his search for a replacement for Thierry Henry. Nicolas Anelka, Obafemi Martins and Michael Owen remain the most likely candidates, although Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o is now being mentioned.
• Martin O'Neill has agreed to sell goalkeeper Stuart Taylor to Cardiff City for an initial fee of £250,000. Taylor has failed to oust Thomas Sorensen since arriving from Arsenal.
• Steve Bruce expects to complete the £2.75 million signing of Garry O'Connor by the middle of this week and also remains keen on West Ham forward Marlon Harewood.
• Ipswich Town's efforts to sign Francis Jeffers look doomed, despite their offer of £350,000. Blackburn want more than £1 million for a player signed last year on a free transfer.
• Sammy Lee remains interested in striker Djibril Cisse despite Rafael Benitez's insistence that Cisse will not leave Anfield on a loan. Liverpool want £6 million for the forward.
• Jose Mourinho is understood to be on the verge of securing a deal to sign Alexandre Pato. Pato, 17, is Brazilian and currently playing for Internacional.
• Billy Davies is considering a £1 million move for Blackburn's Andy Todd in an attempt to strengthen his defence. Todd wants to leave and has also been targeted by Rangers.