Sunderland defender Greg Halford is set to be signed by ex-Black Cats boss Mick McCarthy at Wolverhampton Wanderers today in a deal believed to be worth more than £2million.(Sunderland Echo)

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce is lining up a bid for Reading midfielder Stephen Hunt and is also close to completing the signing of Chile forward Humberto Suazo. (The Sun)

New Wigan manager Roberto Martinez is keen to sort out a quick deal for Honduras midfielder Hendry Thomas as Sunderland are also interested. (Daily Mirror)

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce will not be making a bid for Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton. (Daily Star)

Stoke chairman Peter Coates has dismissed speculation linking the club with a bid for Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins. (Shields Gazette)

New Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has delayed his arrival in London as he attempts to lure striker Alexandre Pato from his former club AC Milan. (The Sun)

Barcelona are preparing to make a £25million bid for Liverpool's Argentine midfielder Javier Mascherano. (Daily Mirror)

The proposed deal to take Ricardo Carvalho and Deco from Chelsea to Inter Milan could collapse over the London club's insistence that they want £12million for the duo. (Daily Telegraph)

Forward Carlos Tevez will be unveiled as a Manchester City player on Monday next week, after agreeing terms of about £120,000-a-week. (Daily Mirror)

Former Arsenal skipper Patrick Vieira has been offered £100,000-a-week by Birmingham as they try to sign the Frenchman from Inter Milan. (The Sun)

Chelsea are closing in on the signing of AC Milan midfielder Andrea Pirlo. (Daily Express)

And the Blues are refusing to give up in their chase of Bayern Munish winger Franck Ribery. (Daily Mail)

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes is facing the prospect of being priced out of signing Everton defender Joleon Lescott. Everton value the centre half at £20m, which is £5m more than Hughes is willing to pay. (Daily Star)

Fulham midfielder Clint Dempsey could be set for a £4m move to Everton after turning down the offer of a new contract at Craven Cottage. (The Sun)

Aston Villa are ready to launch a bid of £3.5m plus midfielder Barry Bannan for Wigan defender Titus Bramble. (Daily Star)

And Villa boss Martin O'Neill is exploring the possibility of signing Middlesbrough's Stewart Downing - even though the winger will be out until October with a foot injury. (Daily Mail)

Burnley are interested in Hamilton midfielder James McCarthy, according to the Scottish club. (The Scotsman)

Birmingham want Arsenal left-back Armand Traore on a season-long loan. (The Sun)

Celtic's bid to lure Marc-Antoine Fortune has taken another twist, with the Nancy striker's team-mate Landry NGuemo set to make a switch to Glasgow after agreeing a move. (Daily Record)